Documentary film about the organ in the parish church of St. Vid in Šentvid pri Stični

To celebrate the acquisition of a new organ at the parish church of St. Vid in Šentvid pri Stični, a documentary film was produced that offers an in-depth look at this significant musical and cultural achievement. Written and directed by Luka Posavec and Aleš Razpotnik, with script contributions by Dragica Šteh, the film chronicles the journey of the new instrument – from the initial planning and conceptualization stages, through its construction and installation, to the moment when the organ is heard for the first time in the church.

The Historical Path of the Šentvid Organ

The history of the organ in the parish church of St. Vid in Šentvid pri Stični dates back to at least the first half of the 18th century. The earliest known written record, dating from 1738, notes a repair of the organ, indicating that the church already possessed an instrument at that time and that music played a significant role in the parish’s liturgical life.

In the 19th century, the original instrument was replaced by a new organ built in 1838 by the Kamnik-based organ builder Peter Rumpl. At the time of its construction, this instrument represented high-quality, modern craftsmanship. The tradition of organ music continued into the early 20th century, when a new instrument from the workshop of the Mayer brothers (Orgelbau Gebrüder Mayer) was installed in the church in 1912.

This organ suffered damage during the First World War, when some of its pipes were removed, and it later underwent further alterations and modifications. Notable contributions to these works were made by Franc Jenko in 1928 and Anton Jenko in 1993.

Despite ongoing efforts to maintain the old organ, its technical and acoustic shortcomings eventually became apparent. Due to age, wear and tear, and improper interventions, a complete restoration was no longer feasible. As a result, in 2021 the parish decided to commission a new organ that would meet both liturgical and concert requirements.

In 2023, a new organ built by the Močnik workshop was installed in the Church of St. Vid, marking an important milestone in the history of church music in Šentvid pri Stični. The instrument was designed with careful consideration of the church’s historical heritage, while also meeting contemporary technical and artistic standards.

Today, the new organ occupies a central place in worship and supports a wide range of musical performances and concert activities. It represents the culmination of centuries of organ development in this church and provides a solid foundation for the future musical and cultural life of the parish.

The Significance of the documentary film about the Šentvid Organ

The documentary film offers more than a technical overview of organ construction; it provides viewers with a deeper understanding of the historical, cultural, and spiritual context of the site, as well as the rich organ tradition of St. Vitus Church. Particular emphasis is placed on the instrument’s sound design and on the organ’s role as a central medium for both liturgical and artistic expression. The film also invites reflection on contemporary attitudes toward organ heritage and its future development.

Conceived as a record of both time and place, the film highlights the collaboration among organ builders, musicians, experts, and the parish community that made the creation of the new instrument possible. In this way, it goes beyond merely documenting events chronologically and stands as a valuable cultural and historical document. It situates the new organ within the broader context of Slovenian organ culture and presents it as a significant foundation for the future musical and liturgical life of the parish.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to the following individuals and organizations:

• the parish priest, Izidor Grošelj, for his trust and dedicated leadership in the new Šentvid organ project
• Močnik Organ Workshop, for their understanding, commitment, and exceptional craftsmanship
• Prof. Dr h. c. Christoph Bossert (Würzburg) and Prof. Martin Sturm (Weimar), for their valuable advice, insightful discussions, constructive criticism, and personal contributions
• the Slovenian Organ Society, for its official support of the project
• local choir conductors and organists – Robert Markovič, Simona Zvonar, Tanja Tomažič Kastelic, Neža Zvonar, and Vid Verbič, for their assistance and encouragement
• Severin Živic, for his help and patience in recording the music
• all the parishioners of Šentvid, for their unwavering support

Thank you all for your invaluable contributions.