Organ music in the Oude Kerk since the fifteenth century
The Oude Kerk has a long organ tradition. As early as the 15th century, an organ was located against the west wall of the nave (the tower wall). During the Catholic period of the church, the organ was played during the liturgy, but after the Alteration of 1578, its use was restricted. However, the organ did not remain unused during this period. Public concerts took place in the hours between masses, a tradition started by the famous organist and composer Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck.
A new era with a new organ
At the end of the seventeenth century, the use of organs was again allowed in the church. However, it turned out that the Niehoff Organ, the predecessor of the Vater-Müller Organ, was not suitable for the accompaniment of choral singing. Thus, in 1720 the organ builder Christiaan Vater from Hannover was commissioned to build a new organ. Shortly after its completion, however, it became apparent that the tower was showing serious signs of subsidence and the foundation had to be repaired. The organ therefore had to be dismantled and with took this opportunity to expand the instrument. This order went out to Johann Caspar Müller from The Hague. Thus the former Vater Orgel became the Vater-Müller Organ.
Fierce discussion about the restoration
In 1870, the Vater-Müller Organ underwent an extensive restoration, carried out by the firm of J. Bätz & Co. (C.G.F. Witte). The quality of the delivered work was so high that a discussion arose in the 20th century about the desired restoration style: should the organ be restored to the situation of the early 18th or late 19th century? Because of this struggle, a new restoration was delayed for a long time. Only between 2015 and 2019 was the instrument restored by the firm Reil in Heerde. Since then it has again been in use and even today the Vater-Müller Organ enjoys international acclaim.
