Bonn-Oberkassel, Great Protestant Church

— Restauration of the Walcker-Organ from 1908 —

The Walcker organ from 1908 is one of two organs in the Great Protestant Church in Bonn-Oberkassel until 2021. The design of the facade is attributed to Otto March, since the overall impression of the organ, altar and pulpit seems to be from the same pen.

During the construction of the other organ, an instrument by Fa. Peter from 1975, the Walcker organ was taken out and about 60% of the pipework from the Walcker organ was used for this new Peter-Organ. The organ prospect and also the technical installations of the Walcker organ remained in place with the exception of the console. Unfortunately, the wind supply of the Walcker organ and also the control of the wind chests had already been extensively rebuilt once before its decommissioning in 1975, so that essential original parts are no longer present here either.

Due to fire protection risks on the organ electrics of the Peter organ, the instrument had to be taken out of service. This was followed by a call for tenders for the repair of the Peter organ and another call for tenders for the restoration of the Walcker organ. After intensive consultation, the parish decided to abandon the Peter organ in favor of the Walcker organ and commissioned us with a comprehensive restoration and reconstruction of the Walcker organ from 1908.

In 2021, the Peter organ was dismantled and removed. The Walcker pipework was saved. The original Walcker organ had 30 (27 sounding) stops distributed over two manuals and pedal. The whereabouts of the stops not transferred to the Peter organ as well as the console are not documented.

A long period of research and detailed planning followed regarding the restoration of the control of the wind chests and the wind supply. After removal of the organ and a necessary mold remediation, the existing original parts and also the Walcker pipework were restored. The wind system, the console and also the unfortunately no longer existing pipework were reconstructed.

The restoration of the membrane windchests in 2021 and 2022 was extremely complex. Different types of leather as well as different manufacturing methods for the membranes were tried out. The result is an instrument that is technically absolutely safe and sovereign and has a convincing sound.

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