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Walcker Organ
Consultant Report
E.F. Walcker -- Opus 5900
by James F. Mellichamp Mus. Doc. Consultant/Representative
When I first visited Evansville on behalf of Walcker in August of 1988, I was
particularly impressed with the tremendous amount of work which the organ committee had
already accomplished. They were well-informed about the various musical and technical
aspects of organ building. This made for a most favorable environment in which to discuss
the possibilities for the new instrument. Since the new organ was to be a part of a larger
project including extensive alterations to the chancel area, this also resulted in
somewhat more flexibility in the design process.
In order to give the committee an opportunity to see and hear several recent Walcker
instruments, a trip was made to Vienna and Salzburg, Austria, in February of 1989. We were
able to examine a number of organs which approximated in size the proposed new organ for
the Methodist Temple. The completed instrument contains 42 stops, 56 ranks and 3,027 pipes
distributed over three manuals and pedal.
The organ casework is constructed of oak and is finished to match other sanctuary
furnishings. The console, built to American Guild of Organists standards, is truly a thing
of beauty with interior of solid walnut. Keys are constructed of ebony for naturals, and
sharps are made of maple with bone overlay. The music desk features an inlaid design using
a variety of woods.
Perhaps the most appealing aspect of the console is the terraced arrangement of the stop
knobs. This design, which originated in 1840 with Eberhard Friedrich Walcker, has been
copied by many builders through the years and allows the stops at extreme ends to be
closer to the organist. The knobs themselves are fashioned from walnut with beech plates
engraved with the stop names.
Those of us involved with the organ project are extremely gratified with the outcome of
the new instrument. It has been especially rewarding for me to follow the construction of
the instrument as it evolved from my initial design. Our hope is that the completed organ,
Walcker Opus 5900, will be a source of musical inspiration for all who see, hear, and play
it for many years to come.
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