English - The organs

The "Pieter Backer" organ

According to the inscription on the positive this was manufactured by Pieter Backer in 1671. Originally it was mounted to the northwall of the church.

In 1784/85 Christian Bätz enlarged the organ and replaced the original positive section. Also from that time dates the balcony. The organ was placed on the ground on top of four columns. As a consequence some of the graves had to be moved. A gravestone close to the north-east entrance door bears reference to this.

The brustwerk and the largest part of the great date from 1671. Unique to our country is the Regal organ stop of the brustwerk which has been entirely made from pear-wood; the block and resonator are made of one piece.

Of the original cabinet only the crowning is left. In the 18th century the hatches which were mounted to the face of the organ have been removed and the present ornaments were installed. In 1859, because of the intended scaling down of the church, the organ was moved to its current location against the western wall at the bottom of the tower.

The Pieter Backer organ is renowned as a fine example of Dutch organ building in the 17th and 18th century. Moreover the church has superb acoustic properties setting off the organ to full advantage.

Organbuilder Flentrop  finished a complete restauration of the instrument in the
year 2000.

The choir organ close to the statue-pew was put in place after completion of the 1991-1993 church renovation. Cabinet and traction were built around 1965 by Vermeulen which company has been integrated in the organ builder Flentrop, established in Zaandam. This firm completed the instrument. In contrast with the ‘Pieter Backer’ organ it is tuned in equal temperament.

Samples of recordings from both organs can be heard here