NOTES ON GERMAN ORGANS.
COBLENTZ.
ST. CASTOR.—A west end organ, with a rather elaborate case, which has the German peculiarity of the Great Organ case having, under the usual pipes, pipes as of a Choir Organ. I imagine this organ was played from the side. 1869.
COLOGNE.
THE CATHEDRAL.—The organ stands in a wooden gallery at the end of the north transept. The case, which is of a confused design, is not good; part of the work is old. The Choir Organ pipes show, after the German manner, in the lower part of the Great Organ case. The tone was fair, but it was not sufficient for the building, and there was no striking quality about it. 1869.
This organ is to be replaced by an enormous instrument, with at least 100 registers.
THE MINORITES.—At the west end stands a large organ, said to be the best in the city, and the little I heard at vespers was good. The pipes were very dull and dirty. The case, painted white, and relieved with gilding, is very curious. It stands right across the church, flush with the front of the gallery, on which it stands. At each end is a projecting tower, supported by figures, and containing seven pedal pipes. In the middle of the gallery is the Choir Organ, the centre tower of which is supported by a figure. Arches are thrown from this organ to the towers on each side, on which, and above the Choir Organ, stands the Great Organ case, a confused mass of angular and round towers, curved and broken pediments, &c.
The player sat under the arch on the north side, but I could not see the precise position of the key-board. The case was broad and shallow, and stood about one bay clear of the west window, which was large and handsome. 1869.