Divi Blasii, Mühlhausen

Exterior view

Divi Blasii Church in Mühlhausen, Germany, is a medieval church founded by the Teutonic Knights. Originally it was a Roman Catholic church dedicated to Saint Blaise, but as a result of the Lutheran Reformation the dedication was amended to reflect the changed status of the saint. Thus the church is now known as Divi-Blasii-Kirche (Latin divi Blasii means "of Blaise the Divine").

Organ of the Divi Blasii church in Mühlhausen

It is a hall church with nave and side aisles of approximately equal height.

The Gothic architecture of the church is said to have been an influence on the design of Brooklyn Bridge by John A. Roebling who grew up in Mühlhausen.

Organ

Johann Sebastian Bach was organist of the church in 1707/8. Although he did not stay in the city long, the authorities recognised his musical abilities, and made him the consultant for rebuilding the organ. This involved replacing an old two manual instrument.

Bach's specifications for the new organ have survived: he required three manuals, pedals, and 37 stops.[1] The project was undertaken by a respected local organ builder called J F Wender. Wender's previous work included a two manual instrument at St Boniface's, Arnstadt, with which Bach was familiar as he was employed there before coming to Muhlhausen.[2] The Muhlhausen organ was completed in 1709, by which time Bach had been succeeded as organist by his cousin Johann Friedrich Bach,[1] but there is evidence that Bach returned to the city to inaugurate the instrument.

Wender's organ of 1709 has not survived. However, the present instrument was built according to Bach's specifications. Albert Schweitzer, a leading figure in the Organ reform movement, acted as consultant on the reconstruction, which took place in the 1950s.[3]

Tourist information

The church is currently closed during the winter months.

References

  1. 1 2 "Muhlhausen". Bach Cantatas Website. Retrieved 3 December 2014.
  2. ↑ "Johann Friedrich Wender (Organ Builder)". Retrieved September 23, 2012.
  3. ↑ Hill, John. "The Church of Blaise the Divine (Divi-Blasii-Kirche)". Retrieved September 19, 2012.

External links

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Coordinates: 51°12′26″N 10°27′30″E / 51.20722°N 10.45833°E / 51.20722; 10.45833

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