Special instrument in the Adams factory

It is a special project, even for organ builder Verschueren from Ittervoort. Their organs can be found throughout the Netherlands and Belgium, but also in Germany and Spain. A project like the one for the church in Norway only comes along once every ten to fifteen years for the company.

Does not fit in the workshop
Due to the size of the organ, it does not even fit in their own workshop. Verschueren has therefore temporarily been given space at their neighbour and instrument builder Adams. Between the timpani and bass drums now stands the eight-metre-high organ, with all its 2500 pipes that can be played via the console at the front.

Use of space
"When we established ourselves here, we asked Adams if we could use their space once every few years. Fortunately, that is possible," says director Jeroen Zoutendijk of Verschueren Orgelbouw. "It is very nice to be able to build such a project here."

A million-euro project
The request to build a custom-made organ for the Norwegian church already came in 2018. Only this week did the clients get the chance to see what their organ actually looks like. It concerns a project worth nearly one million euros.

Meccano box
To prevent surprises on site, the complete organ has now been assembled once in advance. "If things still need to be adjusted, it is best to do so here near our own workshop where we have all the equipment. Such an organ is completely demountable and, like a Meccano box, can then be reassembled on location."

Not playable
That does not mean it can be played in the Adams warehouse. "We will first spend six weeks assembling the organ. And then another six weeks to fine-tune the sound precisely to the space. That would be a futile effort here," according to the director.

Holiday to Norway?
Anyone who wants to hear how the organ sounds will have to travel to Kristiansand later this year. From autumn onwards it will be in operation there and can be admired in all its glory.

Source: 1Limburg.nl