Restoration of the Organ in Moritzkirche, Halberstadt

Looking at the Jesse organ in the Moritzkirche in Halberstadt is rather like reading a history-book of Halberstadt's organ builders. The organ was built by Halberstadt organ builder Christoph Jesse between 1785 and 1787, and subsequently kept up-to-date (in terms of technical specifications) by a succession of organ builders from Halberstadt. A summary of the changes made over the course of time can be seen below.

1785-1887
B. J. Ch. Jesse, Organist and Organ builder (Halberstadt)

Between these dates, the organ was built, and it was inaugurated in 1787. The stops from the previous organ (by Compenius) were probably re-used. There are still many parts from the original Jesse-organ in today's instrument: the facade, including carvings; the pedal soundboard; the Oberwerk soundboard; parts of the pipework; complete rollerboards for the Pedals and Oberwerk, and parts of the rollerboard for the Great.

Die weitere History der Jesseorgel in der Moritzkirche
1861/62 Organ builder Bergen (Halberstadt)	During 1861-62, an organ builder called Bergen made extensive changes to the organ. The range of the manual keyboards was extended from C-d''' to C-f''', making it necessary for the keyboards and the mechanisms for both key-action and stop-action to be converted or re-made to match the new sound chest . The excellent chromatic soundboard was installed without being linked to the original 8' Principal pipes that stand in the façade. The following components of Bergen's organ are still present today: the Great soundboard, the note and stop mechanisms, the multi-folded reservoir bellows, and sections of the pipework.
1886-1912	Eduard H?another organ builder from Halberstadt, made various changes to the specifications.
1917	The façade pipes were removed and melted down, since - owing to their high tin content - they were classified as "War-important material". Cheap mute pipes, made from zinc, were inserted in their place.
1937-1960 Paland & Sohnle (Halberstadt)	The specifications were partially returned to Jesse's original by Paland & Son. The Pedals were extended to include the Mixtur-3fach. The serious woodworm infestation in the main soundboard was noted, but not acted upon. Finally, the original stop "Flauto travers 8' " in the Oberwerk was swapped with the inferior zinc-material "Salicional 8' " stop.
1974	During renovation work in the church, the pipework was inadequately protected by laymen. This led to the pipes sustaining serious damage. Consequently, only a section of the pipes can now be used.

Current Work (Orgelbau Reinhard Hüfken)

Reconstruction and new-building of the organ console, plus returning of stops to Jesse's original arrangements. Building of new keyboard in the style of the Jesse-organ in St. Silvestri's Church, Wernigerorde. Reconstruction of the Oberwerk's soundboard and stop-action.

Reconstruction of the Oberwerk's key action Restoration of the wind system.

Reconstruction of Jesse's scaling for the Oberwerk pipework, based on the original Jesse-pipes. Restoration of the original pipework, and supplementing this with newly built pipework. A second overhaul, with regard to the first manual, is envisaged for the year 2003.