| Manuaal |
|
Pedaal |
|
| |
|
|
|
| Prestant S |
8’ |
Bourdon S |
16’ |
| Bourdon (treble) S |
16’ |
|
|
| Holpijp S |
8’ |
Pitch: a’=450 Hz. |
|
| Octaaf S |
4’ |
Equal temperament |
|
| Fluit S |
4’ |
Compass manual: C-f’’’ |
|
| Quint |
3’ |
Compass pedal: C-d’ |
|
| Octaaf S |
2’ |
|
|
| Mixtuur |
II-III |
S = Strumphler, 1792 |
|
| Sexquialter (treble) |
II |
|
|
| Tremulant |
|
|
|
The first information about an organ in the Remonstrant Church dates from 1725. The minutes from the church-council from the year 1726 mention a decision to place a two-manual pedal-clavichord at the disposal of organist Rijk Dirksz. to practise on. This was done on the condition that he will stay organist at the Remonstrant Church for 4 years!
Joachim Hess mentions in 1774 a two-manual organ in this church with 10 stops and pull-down pedal.
In 1788 a contract was made with Johan Dirk Baars (a builder of chamber-organs from Amsterdam). At the impost beneath the lower case (filled with dummy pipes) we can still read this date. The archives mention activities concerning the making of a Positive, but already 4 years later Johannus Stephanus Strumphler from Amsterdam was ordered to built a new organ. The work of Baars probably lacked quality. Strumphler, on the other hand, had a great reputation as a builder of chamber-organs. In 1792 he built for 1725 guilders a new organ with 10 stops on one manual.
Specification
(according to G.H. Broekhuyzen, ‘Orgelbeschrijvingen’, ca. 1850-1862):
| Manuaal |
|
| |
|
| Bourdon |
16’ |
| Prestant |
8’ |
| Holpijp (tr. Fluit 8’) |
8’ |
| Octaaf |
4’ |
| Fluit |
4’ |
| Quint |
3’ |
| Octaaf |
2’ |
| Sexquialter disc. |
IV |
| Sexquialter bas |
II |
| Mixtuur |
IV |
| Trompet |
8’ |
Later changes to the instrument
In 1908 the organ was changed radically by the organ-builders Vermeulen from Alkmaar. The instrument was supplied with pneumatic action and the specification was changed: the Trompet, Quint, Mixtuur and Sexquialter were replaced by soft 8’ stops like a Gamba and a Voix Célèste. Curiously enough the 3 original wedge- bellows (taken out of action at that moment) were preserved! The organ-case was also made deeper.
After the restoration of the church (1964) plans were made to restore the organ. Vermeulen replaced a Mixtuur, Sexquialter, and a Dulciaan, but the action remained pneumatic.
1995 / Restoration by Flentrop Orgelbouw
With this restoration, advised by Jan Jongepier, the Strumphler-concept was reconstructed. The case was restored to its original dimensions, the 3 original bellows were installed again, the keyboard was copied after the Strumphler-organ of Noordeinde and the action and specification were reconstructed. A happy circumstance was the possibility to use an 18th century wind-chest from the stock of Flentrop Orgelbouw which fitted very well into the organ-case.
Specification
Since 1995 Alkmaar is enriched with another characteristic instrument!
©Frank van Wijk, Bergen NH, April/Mei 2000
