Altenberg, Cathedral
The organ in Altenberg Cathedral was built in 1980. Today it has 89 (originally 82) stops on four manuals and Pedal, comprising a total of over 6500 pipes.
The Spanish Trumpet pipes jut out horizontally, producing a powerful and resouonding tone.
In 2005 the Altenberg organ was 're-organized': it was entirely cleaned, revoiced and provided with a series of new stops. On an additional windchest, the Pedal stops SUbbass 16', Quinque-Decimus 10 2/3' and Trumpet 8' were added. Furthermore, the organ now also features a III/II sub-octave coupler. Wind pressures have been moderately increased (by app. 15mm WP). Then, in2 007, the following stops were added: a Contraposaune 32' (with full-length resonators) and a high-pressure Tuba mirabilis 16'/8' (on app. 500mm WP) enclosed in its own swellbox.
The Cathedral organ can be played from any of two separate consoles. The main console is located directly attached to the organ, and its tracker action is mechanical. The second console with electric action is movable and can be played at different locations in the church nave.
A new combination capture system with 1,000,000 combinations puts the crowning touch on this instrument's newly enlarged timbre capabilities.
Thus, Altenberg Cathedral now has an instrument that not only remains faithful to the builder's original concept – an all-purpose cathedral organ of European standing – but also meets the manifold requirements of recitals and religious services, as proven by the great number of guest organists from all over the world who come to perform at Altenberg.
Rolf Müller, Cathedral Organist
More pictures:
(pictures on this and the following page: Martin Doering 'www.die-orgelseite.de')
the new Pedal stops behind the case
the new high-pressure Tuba mirabilis in its own swellbox
overall view with electric console in the foreground