The Crypt Organ

Located in the crypt, the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy crypt organ is a romantic instrument supplied by the Strebel company in 1917, and features seven stops, 435 pipes, two manuals and a pedalboard. One of its unique features is a computer-controlled setter system.

Church and memorial services, small concerts and meditations are also regularly held here. After all, the room with its 44 columns also serves as a memorial and final resting place, for instance, for Johann Mattheson and Carl Philipp Emanuel Bach. That’s why the Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy crypt organ was installed here as the first component of the new organ ensemble.

In 2008, St. Michael’s was offered high-quality pipe materials, soundboards and a console from 1917 from organ builder Johannes Strebel based in Nuremberg. Organ builder Freiburger Orgelbau Hartwig und Tilmann Späth OHG (March-Hugstetten), restored the historical materials and installed everything in a chamber at the front wall of the crypt. The wall allows sound through, whilst protecting the pipes. The console is electrically connected to the instrument and can thus be moved freely around the room.

The sound of this unassuming organ is amazingly rich. A combination of sub and super-couplers enables extensive sound variation. As was common around 1900, the rich nuances are a dominating feature which complements the room and its use.

I. Manual C–g3, Lade bis g4

Prinzipal 8’
Viola di Gamba 8’
Holzflöte 8’
Oktave 4’

II. Manual C–g3, Lade bis g4

Lieblich Gedeckt 8’
Salicional 8’

Pedal C–d1

Subbass 16’

Couplers:
II / I
I / P
II / P
Sub II / I
Super I, expanded to g4
Super II, expanded to g4

Computer-controlled setter system