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.