Article
Representing all press releases (13 from Latvian media), a summary from LATVIJAS SABIEDRISKAIS MEDIJIS (LR3)
(freely translated from Latvian)
A NEW BAROQUE ORGAN FOR RIGA CATHEDRAL
A joint project combining craftsmanship, music and European friendship
An extraordinary instrument is being created in the heart of the Latvian capital:
Riga Cathedral, famous for its monumental romantic Walcker organ, is currently home to the construction of a new baroque organ – inspired by the sound world of the 18th century. This is the first time that a new Baroque instrument has been built in Latvia, and it will complement the romantic organ in impressive fashion.
European craftsmanship with a historical model
The organ will be located in the side aisle of the cathedral. It is being built by the renowned Wegscheider organ workshop in Dresden, which specialises in the restoration and new construction of historical instruments. Organ builder Kristian Wegscheider describes the project as ‘a return to the origins of European organ sound’. The model is the important organ builder Heinrich Andreas Contius (1708–1795), who worked in Riga, Liepāja and Vilnius in the 18th century and was also highly regarded by Johann Sebastian Bach.
Supported by strong partners
The idea for this organ was conceived back in 2007 – now it is becoming a reality, thanks in large part to the Carl Bechstein Foundation, which is supporting the project with one million euros. Another 400,000 euros are still needed. This sum is to be raised jointly in Germany and Latvia, organised by the Förderverein Orgel Dom Riga e.V. (Riga Cathedral Organ Support Association) in close cooperation with the cathedral parish.
Sound for unique acoustics
Wegscheider and his team carefully studied the special acoustics of Riga Cathedral. ‘The high registers sound wonderful, but the low flutes needed more power,’ he explains. Additional bass registers were therefore planned to fill the space with sound.
The tonal alignment of the new Baroque organ was also reconsidered: it will not follow the historical tuning of the 18th century exactly, but will be slightly adapted to the pitch of the large romantic cathedral organ. This will allow both instruments to sound together – in the same pitch, but with a distinctly different sound character. This opens up new musical possibilities without losing the historical spirit of the Baroque sound world.
Two organs – two sound worlds
The new Baroque organ is not intended to replace the Romantic cathedral organ, but to enter into dialogue with it. While the large organ represents symphonic works of the 19th century, the new organ brings the music of Bach, Buxtehude, Handel and Praetorius to life. In future, both instruments will be able to sound together – as a musical conversation between two eras.
Symbol of German-Latvian cooperation
The organ project combines craftsmanship, art and cultural partnership. Latvian and German organ builders, musicians and sponsors are working together on it. If everything goes according to plan, the new Baroque organ will be inaugurated in the summer of 2027 – as a resounding symbol of friendship between Latvia and Germany and an enrichment of European musical life.
