The largest and most mysterious musical instrument dates back to the 1st millennium BC. Over time, he was introduced into Catholic worship, and large tools organically fit into the architecture of Catholic, and after the Reformation and Protestant churches. In the cities of Europe and the New World, organ secular concerts and competitions are held. Let's go on a trip to take a closer look at the most beautiful organs in the world. Many do not have their own names, so let's look at their location.
1
Church of St. Cruzis. Erfurt Germany
The loudest organ in the world, of all currently functioning, is located in the cathedral of the German city of Erfurt.
The whole structure is located under the arch, and the remote control (“hairpin”) is hidden from the viewer's eyes by a painted balcony. The musical instrument is decorated with gilded floral ornaments.
At the very top of the pipes are two angels playing lyre. Below are four more smaller figures of angels.
2
Notre Dame Cathedral. Paris, France
The large organ in Notre Dame de Paris was used from the very beginning of the functioning of the cathedral.
In 1442, the old stuffing was placed in a new building made in the Gothic style. Throughout history, it has been restored more than once.
Today it is one of the most beautiful tools in Europe. Famous musicians of the world performed organ compositions on it, and the cathedral has its own organists.
By the way, be sure to look at the most beautiful Gothic buildings in the world on our site most-beauty.ru in this article.
3
Church of St. Anne. Warsaw Poland
A large musical instrument harmoniously fits into the overall architectural design of the Church of St. Anne in Warsaw. The largest pipe of the Warsaw organ reaches a height of 18 m.
The elaborate fence closing the console is decorated with marble figures of angels playing different musical instruments.
The entire massive structure is crowned by a gilded Catholic cross, with rays diverging in all directions.
4
Berlin Cathedral. Berlin. Germany
Wilhelm Sauer, this great master of the Romantic period, created the organ for the Cathedral of the German capital. This tool has the widest register.
The cathedral itself is built in the neoclassical style, and the musical instrument seems to soar above the hall. Massive pipes, covered with floral ornaments, and figures of soaring angels.
At the top are angels blowing horns. Particular illumination of the organ gives solemnity to the monumental design of the instrument.
5
St. Stephen's Cathedral. Passau. Germany
The largest church musical instrument in Europe amazes not only with its size, but also with its beauty.
It was designed at the beginning of the twentieth century, and it was comfortably located under the openwork arches of the church. Decorated with gilded ornaments and sculptures.
You can hear its sound every day at noon. It was at this time that for 40 minutes the organist showed all the possibilities of a unique organ.
6
Cathedral. Granada Spain
In the heart of Spanish Granada stands a magnificent monument to Christianity. Two organs can be seen and heard in it.
They are made in an exquisite Baroque style, with elaborate gilded ornaments and beautiful sculptural compositions. Cupids are conveniently located on top of the pipes.
You can hear the organ during the mass, but you must pay for the entrance to the cathedral.
7
Church of St. Mary. Germany
In one of the oldest churches in the German capital is a beautiful silver organ, decorated with gilding.
Not only history buffs, but also musicians come here to listen to a rare instrument on which Johann Sebastian Bach performed his musical works.
At the sounds of the organ, the worship hall is filled with a special atmosphere, immersing listeners in the world of the beauty of architecture and enchanting music.
8
Church of St. Moritz. Olomouc. Czech Republic
One of the most powerful organs of the country is installed in the church of the Czech town.
The church is used by the Moravian Philharmonic to host the annual
The international festival of organists, to which talents come from all over the world.
The festival, called “Olomouc Dvorak” is an excellent occasion to come to the Czech Republic to enjoy the magnificent music of great composers.
9
Church of St. George. Ochsenhausen. Germany
One of the most magnificent and beautiful organs of European churches can be examined in detail in the town of Ochsenhausen.
The sculptures of cupids and angels located on it play instruments. The overall picture is complemented by vibrant murals on biblical themes. They are located on the arch above the body.
Allocate it is still a bright colonnade of blue columns, covering the remote control from the viewer.
10
Organ of the Reed. Altenburg Germany
A beautiful organ was fashioned and installed in the church in 1739. The cult building itself is mentioned in documents of the XIII century.
The author of the musical masterpiece, consisting of 2 thousand pipes, was Heinrich Gottfried Trost, a recognized organ master.
Masses are held in the church, and parishioners can hear the majestic music of an ancient instrument. Conducted in churches and social concerts.
11
Basilica of the Annunciation. Holy Lipka. Poland
Another beautiful instrument is in the sanctuary of the Virgin Mary, in the small village of Svyatka Lipka.
It is unique in that it has figures of the Mother of God, moving at the time of the sound of music. Angels and cherubs revolve around its axis. Upstairs is an angel who plays the mandolin.
A musical attraction was created in 1721 by the master Jean Jose Mozengel.
12
Cathedral of Saint Cecilia. Albi. France
The monumental instrument of the cathedral is surrounded by polychrome statues and plant bas-reliefs.
Below it, the wound was the fresco "The Last Judgment." Now it has been restored, and it is still pleasing to the eye.
But the rumor of the parishioners and numerous visitors is caressed by the instrument created by Christoph Musherel in the 18th century.
13
Abbey of San Giovanni the Evangelist. Parma Italy
Surrounded by frescoes of the great masters of the Renaissance and marble sculptures under the naves of the Abbey is a beautiful organ.
The pipes and visible details are decorated with gilded bas-reliefs, and the figures of cupids adorn the entire pediment.
At the top is an angel holding his hands to the altar. The balcony covering the panel is decorated with gilded plates with floral ornaments.
14
Cathedral of St. John the Baptist on the Lateran hill of San Giovanni in Laterano. Rome. Italy
In Italy, this is the most ancient instrument created back in the 16th century.
At one of the transepts of the cathedral is an organ, all covered with gilding.
It harmoniously fits into a niche, and creates a common architectural ensemble with the Communion Chapel located opposite.
A vivid addition to the general ensemble are figures of angels and cupids.
15
Royal Albert Hall. London. Great Britain
The temple of art in the heart of the English capital was erected in the middle of the XIX century, using the latest building technologies of the time.
In a huge hall in 1871, a huge beautiful organ was installed. From that moment, concerts and festivals of organ music were held at the Royal Albert Hall.
The trumpet instrument also sounds at the time of the traditional celebration of veterans of the British Army.
16
St. Mary's Cathedral. Gdansk. Poland
The Oliva Cathedral was built in the XII century, and its main attraction is an ancient organ.
It was created by the famous master monk Johann Wilhelm Wulf, and parishioners first heard its bewitching sounds in 1788.
Like the cathedral itself, the musical masterpiece of Gdansk combines Gothic architectural style and Baroque elements.
By the way, on most-beauty.ru there is an interesting article about the beautiful Gothic cathedrals of Germany.
17
Cathedral. Kaliningrad Russia
In the vastness of Russia, this is by far the most beautiful and oldest organ.
This is a set of two instruments that can sound together and individually. At the top, the figure of a Phoenix bird is a symbol of rebirth, and the pipes are covered with gilded patterns.
There are 6 301 trumpets in the Big Organ, but those in the worship hall see only a small part of them.
18
The elegant organ of the cathedral in Helsinki. Finland
In the St. Nicholas Cathedral of the Finnish capital, right above the entrance, there is an elegant organ decorated with decorative elements.
The instrument was created in 1832 by E. Walker, inspired by the classical architecture of the North of Europe.
The cathedral is Lutheran, and worship is held every day to the sound of an organ. In addition to parishioners, numerous tourists come to listen to music.
19
Balcony organ in Salzburg. Austria
Among the many attractions of the Cathedral in Salzburg, Austria, it is necessary to name a beautiful musical instrument.
The main organ of the cathedral consists of 4 thousand pipes decorated with musician angels. Forged balcony railings complete the composition, and listeners can see the organist.
Little Mozart was baptized to the sounds of a monumental instrument in Salzburg, who in a few years will perform his unforgettable works on it.
20
Notre Dame du Finister in Brussels. Belgium
The keys and pedals of the majestic organ were touched by the great organist of Belgium, Adolf Francois Wouters, amazing the audience with his virtuoso performance of musical compositions.
The organ is decorated in black and white. Sculptural compositions are installed on the right and left polygonal pedal towers.
At the top is a figure of an angel holding a cross in his hands. Behind it, the rays of the sun.
21
Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. Mary. Tomsk Russia
Majestic instruments came to Russia from Byzantium, but then on the expanses of the Fatherland began to appear products recognized in Europe, German masters.
One of these masterpieces is in the Lutheran Church of the city of Tomsk. On top of it is an angel playing a gilded lyre.
After restoration under the arches of the church, concerts and competitions of organ music are annually held, which attract thousands of listeners.
22
Schnitger organ. Hamburg Germany
The author of this work of art is the famous German master Arp Schnitger.
A musical instrument in the Hamburg church of St. Jacob is one of the most beautiful in the series of preserved works of the master.
Schnitger worked on it for 4 years, and parishioners heard the first sounds of an elegant instrument in 1693.
23
Organ Wanamaker. Philadelphia. USA
A successful American businessman, John Wanamaker, opened a large Wanamaker Building store in Philadelphia.
In a huge, 12-story building housed a musical instrument. They call it the Great Palace Authority of the Wonamaker, and it is the largest organ in the world.
A romantic place in the American city, where lovers make an appointment with a bronze eagle in the courtyard of the Shopping Center. It's nice to drink morning coffee to the sounds of a magnificent instrument.
24
Hall of organ music "Homeland". Chelyabinsk. Russia
Originally a unique musical instrument, the work of German masters of the company "Hermann Oyle" in 1987 was installed in the Chelyabinsk Church of Alexander Nevsky.
The church building was specially refurbished, and created almost perfect acoustic conditions for a better perception of music. The church maintained the necessary temperature and humidity levels.
In 2014, it was carefully dismantled, transported and installed in one of the halls of the Rodina Palace.
25
Modern organ. Tokyo Japan
We complete the journey in the capital of the Land of the Rising Sun, where organ music also reached.
A vivid example of the fact that modern masters are able to create beautiful instruments to match the recognized masters of the past.
Created the Tokyo instrument in 1991 by the French master Marc Garnier. A modern instrument, like its old counterparts, is not without appeal and beauty.
Finally
It is difficult to choose the most beautiful organ among all this magnificence, but one thing is clear that the inimitable organ sound, this powerful polyphonic texture, cannot leave anyone indifferent. Emotionally saturated, it causes admiration and delight, making you think about the eternal and the meaning of life. Works for a grand musical instrument were written by outstanding composers, and Johann Bach remains a recognized virtuoso organist.
Article author: Valery Skiba