organ tour 2011

groningen: Pronkjuwelen in stad en Ommeland

Dates: 2 - 7 May

Organ tour to the organ garden of Europe: hear and have a go on organs at Krewerd, Zeerijp, Groningen (Martinikerk and Nieuwe Kerk), Noordbroek, Uithuizen, Zuidbroek, Appingedam and Farmsum. Also a visit to the fine stately home 'Menkemaborg' and the organbuilder Mense Ruiter.

Here the famous organ-builder Arp Schnitger have worked and where we can found more than 60 well-preserved instruments from the 16th to the 19th century. The organs are demonstrated and played by well-known professional organists and tour participants can play if they wish. Including 5 nights with breakfast in a 3-star hotel in Groningen and all the transport in Holland with a comfortable coach.

Group members going on this tour will be required to make their own way to Holland, where they will be met at and returned to Schiphol Amsterdam airport that have also a major train-station with regular train services to other places like ferry ports. All travel within Holland will be by coach and is included.
 

Itinerary in a nutshell:

 

Monday: After arrival on Schiphol airport or train station, the coach brings us through Flevoland (reclaimed land in the 20th century from the former Zuiderzee) to the province of Groningen. In the city of Groningen, the capital of the province, we check-in in our hotel for this week and joined our welcome dinner (included).
	Krewerd
Tuesday:   After breakfast we leave for three of the oldest playable organs of Groningen. All the three organs are tuned in mean-tone temparament, so that they will be played with suitable music like Sweelinck. First the instrument of Krewerd, dating back to 1531 and build by an unknown builder. After this we visit Zeerijp and the Martinikerk of Groningen town, 17th century organs, perfectly preserved and reconstructed in the last decades.
	Groningen Martinikerk
Wednesday: On this day we explore the important remains of the work of one of the major organbuilders that the world have known: Arp Schnitger. We start in the beautiful church of Noordbroek, with the Schnitger organ of 1692, enlarged by Hinsz and Freytag. Here are the Schnitger stops untouched so that this organ sounds in the most original state. Back in Uithuizen we first visit the fine local stately home “The Menkemaborg”, complete with lunch in the former stables. After this we listen to and play on the Schnitger organ of the church of Uithuizen, an instrument of 1701 and considered as the most original Schnitger organ of the world.
	Uithuizen
Thursday: This day is mainly dedicated to one of the most famous successors of A. Schnitger, A.A. Hinsz and later his grandson Frans Caspar jr. and H.E. Freytag. In the morning the organ of Midwolda, an organ from Hinsz build in 1772 is our first instrument. After lunch we follow our tour to Zuidbroek, build in 1792 by Schnitger jr and Freytag. We end the day with a visit to the workshop of the organbuilder firm Mense Ruiter in Zuidwolde, a restorer of many organs in Groningen.
	Zuidbroek
Friday: This last day in Groningen brings us first to the church of Farmsum for a visit to an organ from Lohman, one of the most important organ builders family from the first half of the 19th century, not only in Groningen. Also important during that time where Timpe and van Oeckelen. Organs from them are found in the city of Groningen, the capital of the province. First we found a massive organ from Timpe in the Nieuwe Kerk, build in 1731 and in appearance inspired by the world famous Muller organ in the Bavo Kerk of Haarlem. In the Lutherse Kerk at least we found a perfect example of late 19th century Dutch organbuilding in the van Oeckelen organ from 1896. There is also lots of time for sightseeing and diner in the pleasent city-center, lively by the students in this university town.
	Farmsum
Saturday: After breakfast the coach brings us to Schagen in North-Holland over the closing dyke who finished the South sea in 1931, for a fare-well recital performed on the 1882 Nicholson organ (originally from Worcester) in the Christophoruskerk. After the recital the coach brings us to the airport or train station for the journey home, ending a stimulating week in wich we will have see, hear and played some of the most beautiful and famous organs that Groningen has to offer.
	Groningen Nieuwe Kerk

Included In the price are:
• 5 nights B&B in a 3* hotel (with 2 sharing a twin room).
• Dinner on Monday evening.

• Visit to the “Menkemaborg” in Uithuizen, complete with lunch
• Visit to the organbuilder Mense Ruiter

• Transport within Holland during the tour.
• Visits to all the organs, demonstrations and recitals etc.
• Illustrated booklet of all the organs visited.
• Dutch tour leader who speaks English.

Not Included:
• Travelling to and from the UK to Holland (airport or ferry port).
• Meals, other than breakfasts (exept dinner on Monday).
• Travel and cancellation insurance etc.
• All personal expenses etc.

Price: £ 550,- pp. Single person supplement £ 20,- per night.

When you want to join this tour, please complete the attached application form and send it to the address indicated.
 

The itinerary is correct at time of publication and every effort will be made to keep to the schedule, but the organisers reserve the right to change the itinerary should circumstances dictate.
 

Download the information leaflet

Download the application form