Altenbruch, St. Nicolai

State of preservation: The Altenbruch organ has a specific eventful history lasting more than six centuries. Although its present state is based on Johann Hinrich Klapmeyer in 1730 it contains pipes and even ranks of its predecessors of 1498, 1565, 1647 and 1698.

At the end of the 15th century Johann Coci erected an organ at the northern wall of the church. That instrument has been expanded and modified over the following centuries, so 1565 by Matthias Mahn. In 1649 Hans Christoph Fritzsche designed a new main organ and added new reeds in the parapet positive. In 1699 Mathias Dropa of Lüneburg renewed the wind chests and added a few more stops.

After the remodeling of the church in 1728 Johann Hinrich Klapmeyer of Glückstadt got contracted to transfer the organ to the western gallery. In doing so he reshaped the façade following the Hamburg pattern and added two pedal towers placed in the parapet. By reusing old ranks his organ has open diapasons 8' in each of the different divisions forming the fronts. In addition he positioned a new chest positive with 6 stops underneath the old main organ by Fritsche.

From 2002 to 2004 the workshop of Jürgen and Hendrik Ahrend restored the organ and revised all alternations done after 1730.