Culture - Hinsz-organ

The Dutch Reformed church in Midwolda contains a beautiful renovated Hinsz pipe organ. The Hinsz-organ in Midwolda is the largest 18th century village organ in the north of the Netherlands. Organ-players and admirers are coming from al over the world to play or just listen to the organ. Every year from June till October there is a variety of concerts on this pipe organ.

Hinsz-organ
Hinsz-organ in Concert
Disposition Hinsz-organ

The Dutch Reformed church contains a beautiful Hinsz organ that was built in 1772 by the organ-builder Albertus Anthoni Hinsz (1704-1785). The organ has been very well preserved. With one exception, all registers are still authentic. Every year from June till October there is a variety of concerts on this beautiful organ.

Hinsz was born in Hamburg (Dld.). He was the foreman of the famous organ builder  Arp Schnitger. Arp Schnitger died in 1719. After his death his sons continued the organ-building business. Hinsz married the widow of one of the sons of Schnitger. He added new elements to the Schnitger-organ, which meant that they were known as Hinsz-organs. In 1728 Hinsz settled himself as organ-builder in Groningen, where he became trendsetter in his profession.The first Dutch Hinsz-organ was build in the village of Zandeweer. Other organs were build in the churches of Uithuizermeeden, Appingedam, Meeden and, of course, Midwolda.

The instrument was financed by the owner of the Ennemaborg (castle), Johan Hora Siccama. It was a very prestigeous project, a world-class organ was placed in the church to show how prosperous the village was. The pipe organ in Midwolda consists of 33 registers (2154 pipes) distributed over two keyboards and an independent pedal. The organ case has been made by Lubbartus Bekenkamp, the carvings are from Anthony. Dz. Smit and the statues are made by B. Kreemer. The organ was consecrated by the Rev. Wilm Ian van Eerten on August 30th, 1772.

The pipe organ was restored in 1972 by Flentrop. The disposition was returned to the original situation of 1772. In the 80s, of the last century, the instrument was returned to equal temperament. This work has been carried out by Winold van der Putten of Finsterwolde, who maintains the organ. Despite changes, the organ and the church are very well preserved; they form such an exceptional stylistic unity that the church (with furnishings including the organ) has been placed on the list of the hundred most distinctive Dutch religious monuments.

On May 12th, 2001 the CD with the title "Bach in Midwolda" was presented to the public.   The CD can be purchased from Stichting Groningen Orgelland.
	On June 5 th, 2010 the CD with the title "Hintsorgel - Midwolda" was presented to the public.   The CD can be purchased from Stichting Hintsorgel Midwolda, e-mail: smits.elly@kpnmail.nl.

 

 

Fragments of the CD for free downloading

Here two stereo-fragments of the CD "Bach in Midwolda", two minutes total length, can be downloaded (1,90 Mb.).  Here two stereo-fragments of the CD "Hintsorgel - Midwolda", three minutes total length, can be downloaded (2,9 Mb.). These can be played with the well-known Windows Media Player so you get an idea how beautiful the Hinsz-organ sounds.

Questions or critics should be directed to info@midwolda.nl.
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Last modified: augustus 17, 2010.