The Sauer Orgel Op 915 in Gronau. Photo: Ev. Gemeinde Gronau
Some people stop travelling as much because they have children - and perhaps the comparison of parenthood isn’t so different in my situation. I have recently become the proud caretaker of a very special and historic organ. Yup, I’m a geek, but let me try and explain why this is important…
As a love migrant, I moved to Steinfurt without much idea of how I would earn a living, yet it seems music is taken pretty seriously in these parts. Before I could speak or understand much German, I had played for a church service (one of the more terrifying things I have done). I started directing the Gospel choir in the town of Gronau at a time when I would consistently say numbers the wrong way round (explaining which bar we are going to sing again was pretty confusing), leading me to be introduced to the Sauer Orgel op. 914. I had the pleasure of playing a concert there last year too.
As a love migrant, I moved to Steinfurt without much idea of how I would earn a living, yet it seems music is taken pretty seriously in these parts. Before I could speak or understand much German, I had played for a church service (one of the more terrifying things I have done). I started directing the Gospel choir in the town of Gronau at a time when I would consistently say numbers the wrong way round (explaining which bar we are going to sing again was pretty confusing), leading me to be introduced to the Sauer Orgel op. 914. I had the pleasure of playing a concert there last year too.
The Gronau Gospel Chor on Christmas Eve 2024. Photo: Stephanie Schwenke
It wasn’t my idea to take on a church music job - but my esteemed colleague Kantor Tamás Szőcs announced his new position in Austria after 20 years in Gronau. Despite giving plenty of notice, the wheels of bureaucracy grind slowly, his job hasn’t yet been advertised. I know what it is like to leave a job knowing that no-one is taking it on. So much knowledge and energy is lost when a position lies vacant. So an interim solution was thought up. For the next year I will be running two more choirs, playing services AND looking after the Sauer Orgel.
I love that organs are female in German (the only good thing about words having genders). The Sauer Orgel from 1904 is one of the finest instruments in West Germany, and why? A bit like the Union Chapel in Islington - she wasn’t exactly in a famous church, have you heard of Dorstfeld? Kind of part of Dortmund? Nope, me neither. That meant that she had been left unaltered, perhaps through lack of funds, or simply lack of interest - so many organs were “improved” in the late 20th century, with often disappointing results. The fact is, the old materials still work - wood and metal - and more modern materials, such as plastic parts used in the 1960s which become brittle with age, don’t.
Having said that, lady luck has also been on her side. The church from where she was moved suffered damage in the Second World War, as well as a fire leading miraculously only to water damage from the fire hoses. The story of her move to Gronau is a book in itself (literally, Tamás Szőcs wrote it, let me know if you want a copy), but during the move she was lovingly restored by the firm Scheffler, who had also been involved in her upkeep in Dorstfeld.
I love that organs are female in German (the only good thing about words having genders). The Sauer Orgel from 1904 is one of the finest instruments in West Germany, and why? A bit like the Union Chapel in Islington - she wasn’t exactly in a famous church, have you heard of Dorstfeld? Kind of part of Dortmund? Nope, me neither. That meant that she had been left unaltered, perhaps through lack of funds, or simply lack of interest - so many organs were “improved” in the late 20th century, with often disappointing results. The fact is, the old materials still work - wood and metal - and more modern materials, such as plastic parts used in the 1960s which become brittle with age, don’t.
Having said that, lady luck has also been on her side. The church from where she was moved suffered damage in the Second World War, as well as a fire leading miraculously only to water damage from the fire hoses. The story of her move to Gronau is a book in itself (literally, Tamás Szőcs wrote it, let me know if you want a copy), but during the move she was lovingly restored by the firm Scheffler, who had also been involved in her upkeep in Dorstfeld.
The Sauer Orgel, Stadtkirche Gronau and Hannah Parry. Photo: Kirsten Jaensch
The restoration means that, despite being built in 1904, the pneumatic action works like new. The Romantic tone colours are warm and round, the full sound of a Romantic orchestra captured in organ form. These are the sounds that Brahms and Mendelssohn imagined when composing for organ. The Waltzer - a special wheel the player operates with her foot - adds stops in a predestined order. This makes the huge dynamic variation in Reger and Liszt possible without modern computer systems.
Have I convinced you of the specialness yet?
As a musical instrument, the Sauer Orgel is a versatile instrument for accompanying singing. She’s an inspiring instrument to plan concerts on. But more importantly I think, she’s a part of history. How many hands have played on these keys? How many voices have joined in song as she led them? How many people donated, attended events, contributed in unknowable ways so that she could be built to begin with, and so that she could come to Gronau. The hard work of moving her was masterminded by Tamás. He fund-raised, consulted numerous experts, petitioned for the authorities to allow it - the years-long process only finished as Covid lockdowns were starting, yet his promotion of the instrument has been tireless. He’s involved the whole community, won a culture prize, recorded a CD, wrote a book, and even had fantastic merchandise produced.
As Tamás says goodbye to his ‘baby’, moving a thousand kilometres away, so I take on the responsibility to care for and promote the Sauer Orgel in the next chapter of her life. Standby for organ content spam!
Have I convinced you of the specialness yet?
As a musical instrument, the Sauer Orgel is a versatile instrument for accompanying singing. She’s an inspiring instrument to plan concerts on. But more importantly I think, she’s a part of history. How many hands have played on these keys? How many voices have joined in song as she led them? How many people donated, attended events, contributed in unknowable ways so that she could be built to begin with, and so that she could come to Gronau. The hard work of moving her was masterminded by Tamás. He fund-raised, consulted numerous experts, petitioned for the authorities to allow it - the years-long process only finished as Covid lockdowns were starting, yet his promotion of the instrument has been tireless. He’s involved the whole community, won a culture prize, recorded a CD, wrote a book, and even had fantastic merchandise produced.
As Tamás says goodbye to his ‘baby’, moving a thousand kilometres away, so I take on the responsibility to care for and promote the Sauer Orgel in the next chapter of her life. Standby for organ content spam!
Christmas 2024, Sauer orgel, Stadtkirche Gronau. Photo: Hannah Parry
I would love to host visits to this special organ - organ fans/clubs/university departments/schools/those now keen to know what I'm talking about - get in touch and I will happily organise a visit!
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