When, at the end of 2021, after a thorough expert review of the existing old organ, it was decided that it had reached the end of its useful life and would have to be replaced by a new one, the parish priest, Izidor Grošelj, entrusted the challenge of designing and planning a new organ to a committee of experts.
The foundation for the planning process was the documentation of the old organ, created by Luka Posavec and Aleš Razpotnik, and which, with the information obtained, served as a solid starting point for the technical and acoustic development of the new instrument. Records in the parish and archdiocesan archives indicate that the parish of Šentvid pri Stični used to select quality organ builders in the past. The purpose of documenting the old organ was not only to make a detailed inventory of the old organ parts, but also to study and preserve the legacy of the old masters.
Expert committee for the new organ
A new organ project requires careful and thoughtful planning before it is actually built – clear guidelines and coordination of objectives, approaches, timelines, material and financial resources and other project elements.
The parish priest Izidor Grošelj invited some of the best Slovenian experts in the field of organology and organ expertise. In addition to Luka Posavec and Aleš Razpotnik, the organist Tomaž Sevšek Šramel was also invited. When the contract for the new organ production was signed with the Močnik Organ Workshop on November 8, 2021, the expert committee also acquired performance skills and practical experiences from more than 40 projects of the new organ crafting, which was the total number of the Močnik Organ Workshop’s work up to that time.
Aware of the great importance of our own organ culture, which, despite the small size of our country, is varied, rich, and of high quality, the committee decided to preserve the traditions and knowledge of our ancestors when designing a new organ. Although, for reasons of practicality and cost, old instruments are being replaced by new ones, the craftsmanship and skills of the past are invaluable and worthy of revival.
Designing a new organ
At the end of 2021, Luka Posavec, Aleš Razpotnik, Tomaž Močnik, and their colleagues visited the parish church of Sts. Peter and Paul in Zagorje ob Savi to inspect the France Goršič organ from 1895. Remarkably, this organ remains intact in its original form and still functions very well. Thus, it makes sense to draw inspiration from such a master when designing a new organ about 130 years later.
Tomaž Močnik and his colleagues were particularly intrigued by Goršič’s method of constructing the windchests for the organ in Zagorje, examining how he assembled the individual components and the materials he utilized. Additionally, they studied the functioning of the mechanical tracker – the mechanical connection between the key and the valve in the windchest. The quality and precise production of the organ’s vital parts is crucial for the optimal performance and longevity of the organ.
Planning the new organ
When planning the new organ, we sought to integrate the knowledge of successful old organ builders as much as possible. The greatest Slovenian organ builders Frančišek Ksaver Križman (1726-1795), Franc Goršič (1836-1898) and Ivan Milavec (1873-1915) in particular achieved a special beauty and innovation in organ craftsmanship. We have drawn on the results of our research the works of the latter two – Franc Goršič and Ivan Milavec.
The scheme for the new organ’s exterior in Šentvid pri Stični was made by Jožef Močnik, based on the existing organ prospect. The existing Baroque carved decorations and fillings will be restored and used on the new organ. The colour of the new organ case will match the style of the church interior.
The new organ console will be stylistically designed after consoles typical for the Slovene and German areas in the latter half of the 19th century. However, its functionality and composition will be thoroughly modernised. The console will have an adjustable combination system (computer memory with sequencer), which will allow the organist to control the entire sound during the mass or organ concert. It will also feature a built-in screen, enabling the organist to monitor the action at the main entrance and on the altar via two cameras. Moreover, the console will integrate a computer for the playback of chants.