History
The organ history dated back to 1550-1552. In these years Hendrik Niehoff built a new organ for the church. The cases for the Hoofdwerk and Rugwerk were crafted by Adriaan Schalken. The cases for the pedal were later added, probably 1680. Jacob Cools is also named for these cases in 1712. The carvings date back to 1724 and is made by Alexander Pluskens. The angel on top of the organ is by François van Douwe, 1725.
In 1775 organ builder Hinsz is asked to prove the organ. It was rebuild by Garrels in 1736-1737, but was already in bad condition. Hinsz advised to renew the organ completely by Johan Godfried Hildebrand of Hamburg. He was contacted by the church administration but unfortunately Hildebrand died in 1776. Finally it was decided not to replace but repair the organ. Pieter Stants of Gouda started the works, but Albertus van Gruisen completed the works in 1778.
During time the organ was several time altered. In 1919 Standaart carried out a major rebuild. Although not admitted, an almost completely new pneumatic organ was built in the old cases. A lot of the old pipe work was not reused but discarded....even pipes from 1550. The Rugpositief case was not filled but was used as book storage. Between 1945-1948 the organ case was reconstructed and the colours restored. Flentrop changed in 1952 three stops. Since this year the proces to get a organ fitting the historical cases started. The actual works starten in 1971. In 1975 the an almost completely new organ was finished. Consultants were Willem Hülsmann and Jacques P. Bekkers. Only a few fragments of the historical stops were reused. The organ was presented to the press on April 2, 1975. On friday April 4 it was inaugurated with a concert by the consultants.
In 1994 Flentrop carried out some overhaul works. Following the advise by Henk Kooiker the wind pressure was dropped, and some voicing corrections were done. Also the Werckmeister III tuning was changed to equal. On Juli 29, 1994 the organ was re-inaugurated.
Overhaul and additions
In 2010 a number of renowned organ builders were asked to offer for a major overhaul and expansion. After examination and comparison, the contract was awarded to J.L. van den Heuvel-Orgelbouw.
In the period January-April 2011, the following activities took place:
- cleaning and restoration of all the pipes
- partial re-voicing
- installation of new wind ways for display pipes and offset pipes
- installation of additional walk boards
- checking of key- and stop action
- stabilization display pipes
- making an independent windsupply for the pedal, consisting of two bellows and windmotors, placed under the windchests of the pedal
- expansion of the pedal with a Prestant 16' and Roerquint 12' and also a reservation for a Fagot 32', placed on two new wind chests against the wall behind the organ.
The pipes of the Prestant 16' were constructed in 1920 by Van der Kleij as Open Subbas 16' for the Oosterkerk in Schiedam. In 1988 it found a place in the Magnalia Dei Church, Schiedam. Now this church will be closed, the Open Subbas (after revoicing to Prestant) has been incorporated in the Flentrop organ of the Grote Kerk. The Roerquint 12' was newly made by Van den Heuvel. For the Fagot 32' a fundraising action started. The organ was inaugurated at april 30, 2011 by Arjen Leistra, organist of the Grote Kerk.
Already in September 2011 the funds for the Fagot 32' were available. During the traditional 'Koninginnedagconcert' (Queensbirthday-recital) on April 30, 2012 the new Fagot 32' stop was presented by Arjen Leistra.
A photo report of the works can be found here.