Organ

The Kreutzbach-Organ

at St. Laurentius Markranstädt

History
photos before restoration in 2007

Disposition before restoration and enlargement:

I. manual - C-f'''
(pneumatic action)

Bordun 16'
Prinzipal 8'
Viola di Gamba 8'
Rohrflöte 8'
Principal 4'
Gemshorn 4'
Blockflöte 2'
Oktave 2'
Cornett 4fach
Mixtur 4fach
II. manual - C-f'''
(pneumatic action)

Geigenprinzipal 8'
Salicional 8'
Gedeckt 8'
Principal 4'
Flauto traverso 4'
Larigot 1 1/3'
Terz 1 3/5'
Piccolo 2'
Zimbel 3fach
pedal - c-d'
(mechanical action)

Posaune 16'
Subbass 16'
Principal 8'
Choralbass 4'

playing aids:

pedal coupler from I. manual; manual coupler II-I; swell; collective couplers: piano-, mezzoforte- and fortissimo-stops

The Kreutzbach-Organ

Already in the 15th century the first organ has been placed into the church of Markranstaedt.

A newer instrument has been built during the commencement of the Thirty Year’s War in 1617/18 by the organ-builder’s family Compenius, which was located in Middle Germany. The organ builder Heinrich Compenius (1565-1631) was born in Eisleben and settled down in Halle in 1597.
However, there he worked on several projects including the creation of the organ located in the cathedral of Merseburg (1616), the Pauliner church of Leipzig (1626/27), as well as in the famous church of St. Thomas of Leipzig (1630).
The biggest of Compenius’ organs has been placed into the cathedral of Magdeburg in 1604/05.

In 1886, 265 years later, the old organ has been replaced with the one currently in use. That instrument, however, has been built by the organ builder’s company Urban Kreuzbach, who was the son of Richard Kreutzbach and originates from Borna near Leipzig.
The organ has been modified several times and five stops were adapted to the prevailing taste in the 1960’s.

The organ builder’s family Urban Kreutzbach crafted about 200 organs in their 80-years lasting period of creation. Due to this, the family Kreutzbach is considered to be the most productive organ builder’s family in Saxony during these times.
Several apprentices of this company became successful and well known, e. g. the famous Friedrich Ladegast.

organ builder
Urban Kreutzbach
Richard Kreutzbach, the
builder of our organ
Details of the organ

pipes of the stop -Rohrflöte-

detail of the organ case

pipes from the swell

the Kreutzbach-Organ

Our organ is in possession of two keyboards, a pedal, 24 stops and a swell organ. Additionally it contains a pneumatic action, to which’s inventors Richard Kreutzbach can be counted. The stop “trumpet 8” completed the great organ in 2007.
Clearly it is not exaggerated to say that our organ is the most beautiful sounding instrument in the area of Leipzig. You are very welcome to convince yourself of this fact.

detail of the pedal

wind ducts in lead for the sound control

detail of the organ front

the console

Photos after the interior renovation of the church and restoration of the organ

the new register signs at the left and right side of the manuals had been manufactured out of porcelain

View into the pipes of the great division. Easily recognizable by its bright colour is the recently build register "Hohlflöte 8".

view at the pipes built at the left and right side behind the prospect; one can recognize the new register "Trompete 8" by the characteristic sound tubes

in the left: view at the biggest pipes of the new register "Trumpet 8" and to the right the principle register's pipes inside the prospect

in the left: view at the biggest pipes of the new register "Trumpet 8" and to the right the principle register's pipes inside the prospect

Disposition after restoration and enlargement:

I. manual - C-f'''
(pneumatic action)
[great organ (HW)]
II. manual - C-f'''
(pneumatic action)
[Oberwerk (OW)]
pedal - c-d'
(mechanical action)
  • Violon 16'
  • Subbass 16'
  • Posaune 16'
  • Principal 8'
playing aids:

pedal coupler from I. manual;
manual coupler II-I; swell;
collective couplers:
* played with "Rohrflöte 8" / ** played with "Gedeckt 8"

Particulars written in bold correspond to stops of the original disposition.
The stop "Trompete 8", written in italic-bold is an additional one. It has been set behind the pipes of the prospect.