Sneek, Hervormde Kerk


Photo: Geert Jan Pottjewijd

1711: Building of the organ by Arp Schnitger.

1779: Repairs by van Dam

17xx: A. van Gruisen replaces the Mixtuur of the Pedal by a Quint 2 2/3'.

1832: W. van Gruisen replaces the Ruispijp of the Hoofdwerk by a Bourdon 16'.

18xx: Scherp on the Borstwerk replaced by Prestant 8' discant. Cimbel of the Hoofdwerk replaced by a Sesquialter.

1844: Plans of the organist Veld together with the organbuilder Scheuer to change the organ Below a design from this time. Source: "Frieslands Orgelpracht" Volume 1 by Jan Jongepier, Sneek (1970) The Borstwerk should be replaced by a Bovenwerk.

 

1898: L. van Dam changes the organ into an instrument with Hoofdwerk and Zwelwerk. The Rugpositief and Borstwerk emptied. New key-boards. Parts of the pipework re-used

Probable specification after 1898:
Manuaal (C t/m g3)   Zwelkast   Pedaal (C t/m d1)  
Prestant 8' Salicionaal 8' Prestant 16'
Bourdon 16' Viola di Gamba 8' Octaaf 8'
Holpijp 8' Roerfluit 8' Gedekt 8'
Violon 8' Quintadeen 8' Octaaf 4'
Octaaf 4' Salicet 4' Bazuin 16'
Fluit 4' Fluit Harmonique 4' Trompet 8'
Quintprestant 3' Quintfluit 3' Claron 4'
Octaaf 2' Woudfluit 2'    
Mixtuur II-III Carillon II    
Cornet discant III Dulciaan 8'    
Trompet 8' Echo Trompet 8'    
    Tremulo celeste      




Console after the changes in 1898


Article in "Het orgel" 1897/01 about the changes

1925: Van Dam provides a new Pedal on pneumatic windchests. New Trompet on the Hoofdwerk.


Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Interieur_orgel_-_Sneek_-_20327410_-_RCE.jpg Situation 1925 (Rijksdienst voor het Cultureel Erfgoed)

1930: Bakker & Timmenga replaces the Dulciaan of the Zwelwerk by a Voix Celeste.

1943: Repairs by Bakker & Timmenga. The Echotrompet of the Zwelwerk replaced by a Hobo.


Photo from the time the organ was painted white

Specification after 1943:

Hoofdmanuaal (1), C-g3   Bovenwerk (II), C-g3   Pedaal C-d1  
Prestant 8 vt Salicionaal 8 vt Prestant 16 vt
Bourdon 16 vt Viola di Gamba 8 vt Subbas 16 vt
Holpijp 8 vt Roerfluit 8 vt Prestant 8 vt
Octaaf 4 vt Quintadeen 8 vt Gedekt 8 vt
Quint 3 vt Salicet 4 vt Cello 8 vt
Octaaf 2 vt Fluit harmonique 4 vt Octaaf 4 vt
Fluit 4 vt Quintfluit 3 vt Bazuin 16 vt
Violon 8 vt Woudfluit 2 vt Trombone 8 vt
Mixtuur 2-3 St Carillon 2 St Trompet 4 vt
Cornet disc. 3 St Vox Celeste 8 vt    
Trompet 8 vt Hobo 8 vt    

1948
: Bakker & Timmenga construct a new Tremulant.

1986-1988: Restoration by Bakker & Timmenga. The situation of 1898 (Hoofwerk and Bovenwerk) is maintained and restored. New Pedal and new Rugpositief.
The Hoofdwerk windchest and 8 ranks are of Schnitger. The frontpipes are the original ones, too.

Specification

Hoofdwerk   Rugpositief   Bovenwerk   Pedaal  
Bourdon 16' Quintadeen 8' Salicionaal 8' Prestant 16'
Prestant 8' Roerfluit 8' Quintadeen 8' Subbas 16'
Holpijp 8' Prestant 4' Viola di Gamba 8' Octaaf 8'
Violon 8' Roerfluit 4' Roerfluit 8' Gedekt 8'
Octaaf 4' Nasard 2 2/3' Salicet 4' Octaaf 4'
Fluit 4' Octaaf 2' Flute harmonique 2' Bazuin 16'
Quint 2 2/3' Sesquialter II Quintfluit 2 2/3' Trompet 8'
Octaaf 2' Dulciaan 8' Woudfluit 2' Claron 4'
Mixtuur II-III     Carillon II discant    
Cornet III discant     Hobo 8'    
Trompet 8'     Vox Humana 8'    

2011
: In 1986-1988, the Schnitger organ was restored. The starting point for this restoration was the situation of the organ in 1898 after the alterations by L. van Dam.
In 1898 only the case of the Rugwerk survived. In 1988 a new Rugwerk was build in.
After this restoration the sound of the principals of the hoofdwerk did fit better with those of the Bovenwerk than
the principals of the Rugwerk. This was in practice not very desirable.
In consultation with the National Heritage Board ​​a plan was made to improve this situation.
The Schnitger registers Principal 8 'and Octave 4' of the Great
were brought back to their original state.
Van Dam
made in 1898 partly the front pipes inoperative and the other pipes were made longer and got expressions.
The work was
done in 2011 by Orgelmakerij Bakker & Timmenga. Advisor was Theo Jellema.

Photos below from Geert Jan Pottjewijd


Backside of the organ seen from the choir