Den Haag, residence organ (16/III/P, 2000)

Many professional (concert) organists know all about music, composers and different organ styles from all periods. A great number of them know a lot about organ building too. Only a few however have experience in building a pipe organ.

Ben van Oosten (1955) studied organ and piano at the famous Sweelinck Conservatory in Amsterdam. He continued his study of organ interpretation in Paris. Since 1970 he has given hundreds of acclaimed recitals all over the world. Many of his recordings were awarded. Besides this he is the author of the comprehensive biography "Charles-Marie Widor ~ Vater der Orgelsymphonie".
Van Oosten is organist at the Grote Kerk in The Hague and Professor of Music at the Rotterdam Conservatory. From the delivery of the first Van den Heuvel-organs (that coincided with the beginning of his career as organist) he follows the development of this company with great interest.

After the delivery of the huge symphonic Van den Heuvel-organ in Katwijk aan Zee (1984) his ideal to build a practice organ became more and more lined out. He discussed all possibilities with Jan van den Heuvel and together a composition for a three-manual practice organ was worked out. Soon afterwards Van den Heuvel-Orgelbouw was ordered to work out all technical designs.

The easiest and most common way is to ask an organ builder to build the whole organ. Ben van Oosten however preferred to get, besides his international career as concert organist, more involved in the organ building profession too.
From the point of view of many organ builders, it is of great importance (concert) organists and organ experts have thorough technical experience when they act as organ consultant.

Together with some friends Mr. Van Oosten started to work at the Van den Heuvel ateliers. Under the supervision and assistance of members of the organ building company they realized the construction of many organ parts like wind chests, wind supply, console, action, pipe work etc. The organ is a work of love ~ a product of the dedicated, learned, disciplined spirit. Herewith Mr. Van Oosten became one of the very few international well-known concert organists with experience in organ building.

In October 2000 the craftsmen completed the building and installation of this stately instrument which is the focal point of the great music room of the Van Oosten residence.

Additional Info

  • Operations: New built
  • Location: Den Haag (NL)
  • Inauguration: Wednesday, 01 November 2000
  • Stoplist:

    Pédale, C-f1 (30 tones)
    Bourdon 16'

    Positif (I), C-g3 (56 tones)
    Bourdon 8'
    Flûte Douce 4'
    Larigot 1 1/3'

    Grand-Orgue (II), C-g3 (56 tones)
    Montre 8'
    Flûte Harmonique 8'
    Flûte à Cheminée 8'
    Prestant 4'
    Quinte 2 2/3'
    Doublette 2'
    Tierce 1 3/5'

    Récit Expressif (III), ContraC-g4 (80 tones)
    Flûte Traversière 8'
    Viole de Gambe 8'
    Voix Céleste 8'
    Flûte Octaviante 4'
    Basson-Hautbois 8'

    Accouplements
    Tirasse Grand-Orgue
    Tirasse Récit
    Tirasse Récit 16'
    Accouplement Positif/Grand-Orgue
    Accouplement Récit/Grand-Orgue
    Récit 16'
    Récit 4'

    Trémolo

    Mechanical key and stop action.