Welcome

Welcome to the Internet pages of Europe’s oldest magazine on Organ Art: Het ORGEL [i.e. the ORGAN]. Het ORGEL is a magazine of Dutch origin. This Internet site contains English summaries of articles published in Het ORGEL. Every second month we will add the newest summaries. The site also contains a survey of which festival is happening where in Europe, and an extensive collection of links to other interesting organ sites throughout the world.

In the issue of May 2025

In the issue of May 2025

The May 2025 issue opens with an article by Sietze de Vries about the organ in Peterhouse Chapel, Cambridge. The renovation of this organ, completed in 2023 by Flentrop and Klais, represents a compromise between historical reconstruction and modern, multi-functional versatility, highlighting the tension between authenticity and practical application.

From 1930 onwards, Arie Bouman collected detailed specifications of more than 1,900 organs, most of them in the Netherlands. This collection, now digitized, has been made accessible online. Jaap Brouwer provides a brief introduction.

This issue also commemorates the eightieth anniversary of the liberation of the Netherlands. Under the title "Music or Munitions?", Ruud Hoogenboom investigates whether Dutch organs were at risk during the Second World War. In his column, Jos van de Kooy shares a poignant letter written in 1941 by Willem Andriessen, then director of the Amsterdam Conservatory, to his Jewish students.

Sometimes, nothing remains of an organ except a pair of organ shutters. Such is the case with the organ donated in 1665 by the Van den Boetzelaer couple to the Sint-Nicolaaskerk in Dwingeloo. Arie de Muij describes the history of these painted shutters, which bear portraits of the generous donors.

In the Orgelpark section, Hans Fidom previews the Composer's Portrait of Christiaan Richter, scheduled for Friday, May 23rd.

In part 2 of the series "French Organ Cases 1631–1690," Auke H. Vlagsma explores the imposing façade of the organ in the former Collégiale Église Saint-Pierre in Aire-sur-la-Lys.

Albert Clement concludes his triptych on Bach's Einige canonische Veraenderungen über das Weynacht-Lied: Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her. This final instalment highlights aspects of the canon triplex that suggest a musical representation of the doxology from Luther’s Christmas hymn.

In his article "The Art of Canon Improvisation," Gabriel Dissenha argues that canon improvisation, though complex, is achievable. With careful and structured practice, it is possible to improvise canonic forms, even using a cantus firmus as a theme.

Jan R. Luth reviews the volume Zur Orgelmusik der Bach-Schule, edited by Michael Heinemann, Birger Petersen, and Helena Schuh, published by Dr. J. Butz Musikverlag.

The organ building news section in this issue is curated by Gerrit Hoving. He reports on projects in the Reformed Church in ’s-Graveland, St. Judocus Church in Hernen, Nicolaastsjerke in Offingawier, Sankt Johann in Osnabrück, and the Reformed Congregation in Yerseke.

For many years, Het Orgel featured a section titled "Signalement," which is being revived in this issue.The section refers to articles from foreign, non-Dutch-language journals and presents their main points.

In his Back Cover column, Frits Zwart writes about the brothers Victor and Willem van Thienen, two talented blind organists from Delft, who nevertheless secured a place in Dutch musical life.

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KVOK

Royal Dutch Association of Organists and churchmusicians

The publisher of Het ORGEL

The paper edition as well as the Internet edition of Het ORGEL are published by the Koninklijke Vereniging van Organisten en Kerkmusici (Dutch abbreviation: ‘KVOK’). This Association was founded on 16 January 1890, and in 1937 became the publisher of Het ORGEL; the first issue of Het ORGEL was published in 1886.

Adress of the editorial staff

Dr. Jan Smelik, editor in chief
H. van Steenwijckstraat 10
8331 KK STEENWIJK
The Netherlands
E-mail:

Do you want to support the work of Het ORGEL?

You can support Het ORGEL and the Royal Dutch Association of Organists and churchmusicians by becoming a subscriber. You can choose between a paper subscription (€101 per year in Europe, €103 per year outside Europe) or a digital subscription (€72 per year). The subscription is for one year and will be automatically renewed if not terminated at least one month before the end of the calendar year.
You will receive Het ORGEL 4 times a year and the digital newspaper NOTABENE 11 times a year.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to send an e-mail to the board of the Association