Rotterdam Transeptorgel, 1959 [Hauptwerk]

Rotterdam - Laurenskerk, Transeptorgel, Marcussen & Son, 1959

The smaller and the older brother of the main rear gallery organ (available for Hauptwerk as well) is located in the Transept of the same St. Laurentis church in Rotterdam (Netherlands) and it is a top example of the European organbuilding of the mid twentieth century, in the years following the 2nd World War.

Originally, the case belonged to a Henrick Niehoff organ (1539-1540), but that instrument was out of use for a long time. The Marcussen organbuilding company filled this case with a 3 manual instrument. The main organ case houses a Hoofdwerk and a Pedaal and a tiny Borstwerk underneath. A smaller Rugwerk case was added to the balustrade of the balcony. The lowest octave of the Spitsgedekt 16' is located in a small room behind the organ.

The organ has 31 speaking stops, divided into four divisions: Rugwerk, Hoofdwerk, Borstwerk and Pedaal. It is the last work of Sybrand Zachariassen, the leader of the Marcussen company at that time, and it is usually praised as his greatest work. The special feature of the instrument is the horizontal Regaal 16' sticking out of the organ case under the door enclosing the Borstwerk. The door can be opened or closed by a pedal, adding a "swell" effect to the Borstwerk.