The Project

• Joachim Vetter, director of music, invites five organ builder firms to examine the organ and to tender for concepts for its future
• Proposals for new organs within the historic case are beeing made, only one concept prefers a historical reconstruction following the MArx organ of 1793 and integrating the retained material from that period. None of those concepts was realized, as the church was still facing other major renovation challenges.

2006

• For the successor of J. Vetter the parish asks for dedicated knowledge of organ building matters to direct a future renovation

2007

• The renovation of the nave’s vault is completed, the organ is being cleaned.
• For the first time after decades, the hull of the building is completely closed. The heavy immission of dust ceases, and the organ’s sound is slightly improved by these circumstances
• Karl-Bernhardin Kropf is elected successor of KMD Joachim Vetter, he has a strong dedication to questions of organ building and has completed an advisor’s training. In the following years, some long-suffered minor faults are being corrected

2009

• A compact disc is produced, documenting the slightly improved sound of the organ takes place.
• The parish invites organ builders and experts to a symposium – an intensive discussion about the powers and weaknesses of the organ. Some potentials are acknowledged, but the general mood is pessimistic about the existing organ.

2012

• The society for support of church music in Rostock’s lutheran city parish is founded
• since 2009 many organists and experts visited the instrument, many talks spread a more positive view of a restoration

2017

• A specially designed positive organ is presented to the parish by the supporters society. Among other purposes this organ is also dedicated as a substitutional instrument for the time of a renovation of the Great Organ.
• Fundraising for the positive organ was succesfully achieved by pipe patronages and minor donations. Following this success, the supporters society declares preparing the renovation of the Great Organ as its next goal.
• The parish reserves funds for research measures in preparation of a renovation project

2018

• An advisory board is being formed
• Delays occur due to adjustments with the heritage preservation authorities regarding the preliminary examinations

2019

• The first expertises regarding the surface of the organ, its structure and history (including the duke’s loft beneath the organ) will be commissioned.
• In the course of the Bach Festival in May 2019 (www.bachfest-rostock.de), the Great organ will be played for the last time within a large concert with entrance fee, prior to the start of renovation work (whenever this really will be)

2020

• Laser scanning of complete interior, exterior and surroundings of the organ, acoustical research
• Delays due to the corona pandemic

2021

• Documentation of the finsh and historical surface of organ, organ loft and duke’s loft
• Enlargement of the Advisory Board following new building regulations of the North German Lutheran Church, first narrowing of the options for the future of the organ, exclusion of a historic reconstructive approach (in the style of around 1780) or a simple renovation of the present material (1907, 1938, 1983)

2022

• A schme for restoration and redesign is being set up, first negotiations with conservation authorities
• Preparation of a competition among organ builders to get suggestions for possible solutions and a rough idea of the financial dimensions
• Research on the inner structure of the organ and the organ loft regarding static loads and capacity

2023

• Clearing some problems in the connection of the organ’s side-wings with the walls (planned)
• Announcement of tender for the competition (planned)