CD Booklet Orgeln in Wien - Malteserkirche Hl. Johannes der Täufer

T HE O RGAN
IN THE M ALTESE C HURCH OF V IENNA
Little is known about the origins of the
Organ in the Maltese Church in Vienna. It
is neither signed nor do any documents
survive which could tell us something
about date and builder. However, some
indications are given by the church building
and the instrument itself.
In the central section of the case we find
the coat of arms of the Althann family.
[Pic p. 4]. Michael Ferdinand Johann
Count Althann (Prague June 25th 1708 -
May 18th 1779) was made Commander of
St. John in Vienna in 1749. This we know
from the 32 shields with coat of arms displayed
in the church [Pic p. 35]. Most
likely the instrument was commissioned
by him.
The roller board inside the instrument
bears the letters "FR" and "1767" on its
reverse [Pic p. 5]. They are painted with
the same paint used for the original decoration
of the casework. At least we know
the time when this was done. Given the
elaborate carvings and gilding of the case
we can assume that financial means were
not restricted. It is more than likely that
the whole project was completed within a
very short period of time.
Most probably the organ was built by Gottfried
Sonnholz (1695-1781). Similarities
to his other instruments make this obvious.
He seems to have made all parts except
the windchest for the manual division for
which he reworked an older piece.
First changes were made to the instrument
in the early 1800s. The large single
rise bellows with its feeder underneath
and the original wooden springs all date
from this time. It is supported by beams
which are older and still indicate the position
of the original 18th century wedge
bellows. An inscription inside indicates
that these changes were made in 1812.
Unfortunately, the original tin front pipes
were confiscated during World War I and
melted down for use in the weapons industry.
In 1923 Josef and Franz Ullmann
the Younger installed zinc replacement
pipes. The instrument was also cleaned
and tuned on this occasion. They seem to
have been responsible for a few further
minor alterations to the windchest (replacing
the leather purses with brass) and
voicing.
Serious alterations were made in 1949/
1950: Johann Pirchner of Steinach in Tyrol
enlarged the instrument, being advised
by Egon Kraus and Anton Heiller. A second
manual was added and a new console
to go with it. The number of stops doubled
and the compass was enlarged to 56 keys
on the manuals and 30 on the pedal (Specification
on p. 7) [Pic p. 7].
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