Neumünster, Evangelical Lutheran Anscharkirche
— Reorganisation —
The Evangelical Lutheran Anscharkirche in Neumünster houses a Walcker organ dating from 1951. Built by the renowned organ-building firm E. F. Walcker & Cie. of Ludwigsburg, the instrument features 39 sounding stops distributed across three manuals and the pedal.
In 1975, due to technical defects, the pneumatic windchests were removed by the firm Alfred Führer of Wilhelmshaven and replaced with new, electrically operated slider chests. The console was also replaced at that time.
As part of a comprehensive renovation, Weimbs Orgelbau is technically overhauling the organ, expanding its tonal range, and ensuring it is future-proof for the coming decades.
Completion is scheduled for fall 2026.
Cleaning and Mold Removal
The entire organ is heavily soiled and, in some areas, infested with mold. Therefore, all components will be carefully cleaned, and the affected areas will be professionally treated.
A non-functional air humidification system located inside the organ will be completely removed and not replaced.
Modernization of the Organ’s Electrical and Action Systems
The organ’s existing electrical system no longer meets current fire safety and personal safety requirements and is therefore undergoing a complete overhaul. The slider-pull motors of the electrically operated slider chests are also worn out. They will be replaced with modern and reliable slider-pull magnets.
Both the swell division and the positive division are housed in separate swell boxes. The swell shutters have previously been operated by electropneumatic step mechanisms. These will be removed and replaced with electronically controlled gear motors, which allow for precise and stepless control.
Overhaul of the Console
The console of the Walcker organ is being completely overhauled. The side-mounted control panel of the previous setter system with four combinations is being removed. It is being replaced by a modern action and control system that meets today’s technical requirements and provides organists with convenient operation and many new functions.
Renovation of the Wind Supply System
All of the organ’s wind bellows will be re-skinned. Since the existing shock absorbers are not functioning optimally, this part of the wind system will also undergo technical refurbishment.
The swell division and the positive will each receive a new concussion bellows fitted with a shut-off slider. When the respective tremulant is activated, the associated concussion bellows is automatically isolated from the wind system. The two existing tremulants will be replaced with new outlet tremulants.
The existing blower is a very old model that is underpowered. Its housing is made of wood; the generator that was originally flanged to the shaft is no longer present.
The new blower has a significantly higher airflow capacity. With the help of a variable-frequency drive, it also features a continuously variable wind-throttling function.
Sound Expansion of the Walcker Organ
When the organ was built in 1951, all technical provisions for four additional stops had already been made on the windchests. Two of these previously unoccupied stop positions are now being utilized.
The following sound expansions/modifications are planned:
Nasard 2 2/3′ in the swell division
Progressio 2–3-fold in the swell division
Renewal of the Posaune 16′ in the pedal division
Extending and supplementing the Trompete 4′ in the pedal division by twelve notes to create a Trompete 8′
The new stops enrich the swell division in particular with characteristic solo voices and additional timbres. The pedal voice, expanded to include an 8′ trumpet, strengthens the instrument’s tonal foundation.
Re-intonation and Tonal Redesign
Once the technical work is complete, the entire pipes will be carefully re-intonated and, in some cases, re-tuned. The tonal refinement will be carried out in close collaboration with the organist of the Anscharkirche, Mr. Sven Thomas Haase.
The goal of this extensive organ reorganisation is to preserve the unique character of the historic Walcker organ while simultaneously and sustainably improving its technical reliability, tonal diversity, and musical expressiveness.
einige Impressionen aus der Bauphase
