Johan Lorentz the Elder

Johan Lorentz (* 1580 in Grimma , buried 18th June 1650 in the Cathedral to Elsinore ,) was a German organ builder , who in Denmark worked.

life and work

Lorentz received his training from Nikolaus Maaß in Stralsund . When he moved to Copenhagen in 1602 , his pupil went with him. Just two years later, Lorentz and his brother Balthasar were sent to Flensburg to work on the organ in the St. Nicholas Church there. Between 1604 and 1609 Johan and Balthasar Lorentz worked as Maaß's journeymen.

In 1609 Johan Lorentz settled in Flensburg and a year later he was given the privilege of building organs. Since his former teacher Nicolaus Maaß died in 1615, Lorentz was asked by King Christian IV of Denmark to complete Maaß's work in the chapel at Frederiksborg Palace . Lorentz, as master journeyman from Maaß, took over his position as court organ builder and completed the new organ on behalf of the widow von Maaß. He therefore moved to Copenhagen and ran his workshop there. Lorentz was in contact with Dieterich Buxtehude's family for decades .

After his death in 1650, his master journeyman Gregor Mülisch completed the work he had started in Roskilde Cathedral by 1655. Johan Lorentz's son of the same name became known as a composer.

List of works

year	place	church	Manuals	register	Remarks
1619	Kristianstad (now Sweden)	Trinity Church	II / P	28	New building, which should completely resemble the organ in Frederiksborg
1621/1624	Copenhagen	Cathedral, Frauenkirche (Vor Frue Kirke)			Improvement or renovation of the old organ. Lorentz is assumed to be responsible for this work
1624	Copenhagen	Royal court			A small clavichord that was supposed to be used by King Christian IV's sons , Frederik and Ulrik
1624-1625	Elsinore	Sct. Olai Kirke, Helsingør Cathedral			Renovation and "improvement" of the organ (1570) by Hans Brebos (Copenhagen)
1625-1626	Odense	St. Knud Cathedral	II / P	22nd	Implementation, installation, renovation and conversion of a used instrument from Copenhagen, equivalent to a new building; Replaced by a new organ by Amdi Worm ( Engum ) in 1756 while reusing pipes ; not preserved (replaced by a new organ by Marcussen in 1862)
1627	Soro	Sorø Monastery , monastery church			Complete renovation of an older organ (1567 or older), probably by Lorentz. The Rückpositiv case from 1628 is preserved in the new building from 1773–74
1631-1632	Copenhagen	Rosenborg Royal Castle			"Instruments": stringed keyboard instruments: spinet , virginal
1634	Nykøbing Falster	Nykøbing Castle			A contract for an organ for Crown Prince Christian was signed in 1634. Nothing more is known about the instrument.
around 1635 (presumably)	Copenhagen	Sankt Nicolai Kirke (today Kunsthallen Nikolaj)	III / P	40	Construction of an organ; not received. Number of stops: Hauptwerk 12, Brustwerk 8, Rückpositiv 12, Pedal 8
1635	Odense	Saint Hans Kirke	II / P	16 (1719); 15 (1826)	Johan Lorentz can be assumed to be the builder of the organ. In 1841 PUF Demant took over older parts (pipes, wind chest, etc.) in a new building in a neo-Gothic housing. In 1905 the remains of the old organ went under in a new building by Emil Nielsen (Århus).
1635–1636 (before 1638)	Elsinore	Marienkirche	II / P	24	Rebuilt several times, including 1662 a. 1663 by Hans Christoph Fritzsche while Dieterich Buxtehude was working there as organist; Housing and 27 prospect pipes preserved in a reconstructive new building (1997) from Marcussen & Søn.
1636	Copenhagen	Royal Christiansborg Palace, Palace Church	I.	6 (approx.)	New construction of a small organ for 300 dan. Reichstaler; 1726 handed over to Fredensborg Church, where it was probably expanded (1832: 10 registers); not received
1636-1639	Elsinore	Kronborg Castle , Castle Church			The Lorentz organ replaced the new construction of a probably small organ (1582) by Hans Brebos (Copenhagen), and its prospectus was based on a drawing presented to Lorentz in 1636. It is preserved in the Marcussen & Reuter organ (1843, rest. 2002).
1639 or before	Copenhagen	St. Petri Church (German-speaking church)			Construction of an organ
1640	Copenhagen	Royal Christiansborg Palace, Palace Church			New construction of a positive for 300 Danish. Reichstaler; possibly sent to Glückstadt in 1641; not received
1640	Copenhagen	Before Frelsers Kirke (Church of the Redeemer)			New construction of a small positive
1640-1641	Haderslev	Hansborg Castle (Haderslevhus)			The organ was painted and gilded and replaced an older work (1588; 1608) by Hans Brebos (Copenhagen) and Nicolaus Maas
1641	Helsingborg	Saint Mary's Church	II / P	24	New organ built using parts of the organ probably built by Hans Brebos around 1580; rebuilt several times; Installed in 1849 in the Church of Torrlösa , Sweden; 1961/1962 restored by Frobenius Orgelbyggeri and supplemented by a retro-positive in contemporary box construction.
1646	Copenhagen	Holmens Kirke			Installation of a probably small instrument; not received
1648	Nakskov	St. Nicholas Church			Prospectus (1648) and pipes from later times (1856, PM Gudme) in the new organ (1968) Poul Gerhard Andersens preserved.
1650	Roskilde	Roskilde Cathedral	III / P	33	1554 New building by Hermann Raphael Rodensteen- Pock. 1611 work (possibly Nikolaus Maaß ). Extensive reconstruction started in 1650 by Johann Lorentz; after his death completed by Gregor Mülisch and Peter Karstensen Botz (?) using older parts; around 1691 work by the Botzen brothers (?). Restoration 1991 Marcussen & Søn: Reconstruction to the condition of 1654/1655. Preserved: case (Hauptwerk 1654, Rückpositiv 1554), Rückpositiv wind chest 1554, several registers from 1554, 1611, 1654 and approx. 1691.

literature

Alfred Baumgartner: Propylaea world of music. Edited edition. Volume 3, Propylaea, Berlin a. a. 1989.
Nils Friis: Johan Lorentz. Christian den fjerdes orgelbygger . In: Dansk Musik Tidsskrift . tape 20 , no. 6 , 1945, p. 104-108 .
Gustav Fock : Arp Schnitger and his school. A contribution to the history of organ building in the North and Baltic Sea coast areas . Bärenreiter, Kassel 1974, ISBN 3-7618-0261-7 .
Maarten Albert Vente : The Brabant Organ. On the history of organ art in Belgium and Holland in the Gothic and Renaissance ages . HJ Paris, Amsterdam 1963.

Individual evidence

↑ Fock: Arp Schnitger and his school. 1974, p. 164.
^ Vente: The Brabant Organ. 1963, p. 108.
^ Trefaldighetskyrkan , accessed July 21, 2016.
^ Vente: The Brabant Organ. 1963, p. 109.
^ Victor Hermansen, Aage Roussell, Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1958, p. 45–46, 223 (1945–1958 is given as the year of publication). The organ was already very old: in 1488 an organist was mentioned, in 1537 organ playing. The organ was repeatedly repaired, the last time in 1618 for 465 Danish. Reichstaler. An unknown organ builder built a new organ in 1690, which was destroyed with the church in the fire in 1728.
^ Friis 1945.
↑ Erik Moltke, Elna Møller: Frederiksborgs Amt (= Danmarks kirker . II, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1964, p. 200-206 . The year 1625 was written on the Lorentz organ. The gallery was adorned with sixteen paintings depicting the seven liberal arts and the nine Olympic muses . In 1649 Lorentz began a repair of the organ, which he could not complete because of his death: His master craftsman Gregor Mülisch completed the work in 1650. The organ was moved in 1726 by Lambert Daniel Kastens to the west end of the church. 1738–1740 the rich pictorial and picturesque decoration of the organ is described in detail. In 1854 it was described as missing and in 1865 it was replaced by a new building by Marcussen (Aabenraa).
^ Friis 1945. Friis gives the year 1624–1625 for Lorentz's work.
↑ Birgitte Bøggild Johannsen u. Hugo Johannsen: Odense Office (= Danmarks kirker . IX, volume 2 ). National Museum, København 1995, p. 604-605 .
^ Victor Hermansen, Poul Nørlund: Sorø Amt (= Danmarks kirker . V, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1936, p. 76-77 .
^ Victor Hermansen, Poul Nørlund: Sorø Amt (= Danmarks kirker . V, volume 2 ). GEC Gad, København 1938, p. 1181 . Correction regarding of organ building 1773–1774
^ Friis 1945.
^ Friis 1945.
^ Victor Hermansen, Aage Roussell, Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1958, p. 45–46, 223 (1945–1958 is given as the year of publication). In 1628 the tower collapsed and probably smashed an older organ. The organ builder Hans-Christoph Fritzsche (Frietzsch) mentioned in 1655 that the Nicolai organ was built by Lorentz. This may have been the case after the church's choir was rebuilt in the early 1630s. Lorentz's son of the same name (the younger) began his organist service in this church in 1634 or 1635, which he held until his death in 1689. In 1707 the organ was expanded by five stops, but in 1795 the church was destroyed.
↑ Birgitte Bøggild Johannsen, Hugo Johannsen and Karin Kryger: Odense Amt (= Danmarks kirker . IX, volume 3 ). GEC Gad, København 2001, p. 1394–1396 (1998–2001 is given as the year of publication).
↑ Erik Moltke and Elna Møller: Frederiksborg Amt (= Danmarks kirker . II, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1975, p. 422 . The contract was signed in 1635. Lorentz received the last payment in 1636. The organ must have been built before 1638 in any case.
↑ Sankt Mariæ Kirke, Hovedorgel: “Hovedorgel: Marcussen & Søn 1997; ældre facade and 27 facadepiber i rygpositivet (Joh. Lorentz approx. 1641 and Hans Christoph Frietzsche 1663) mentioned; 30 stemmer. *). " , Accessed on July 21, 2016.
↑ Sct. Mariæ Kirke Elsinore , accessed on July 21, 2016.
↑ Birgitte Bøggild Johannsen: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 5 ). GEC Gad, København 1984, p. 28, 49 (1983–1984 is given as the year of publication).
^ Marie Louise Jørgensen and Hugo Johannsen: Frederiksborg Amt (= Danmarks kirker . II, volume 4 ). GEC Gad, København 1975, p. 2802 . Lorentz received the last payment in July 1639. It is not certain whether the organ was completed this year or earlier.
↑ Erik Moltke u. Elna Møller: Frederiksborg Amt (= Danmarks kirker . II, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1964, p. 628-629 . The Brebos organ was donated to St. Petri Kirke in Copenhagen as part of the new construction by Lorentz and was probably installed there by Lorentz.
^ Company website Marcussen & Søn "Kronborg Palace Chapel / Kronborg Slotskirke · Helsingør" , accessed on July 21, 2016.
↑ "Kronborg Slot Circe organ: Marcussen & Reuter 1843; ældre facade and orgelhus (Joh. Lorentz 1636) used; restored in 1982 by Th. Frobenius & Sønner; restored in 2002 by Marcussen & Søn; 20 stemmer. " , Accessed on July 21, 2016.
^ Victor Hermansen, Aage Roussell, Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 1 )). GEC Gad, København 1958, p. 267 (1945–1958 is given as the year of publication). The organ was expanded by a few stops in 1672. Presumably destroyed with the church in the fire in 1728.
↑ Birgitte Bøggild Johannsen: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 5 ). GEC Gad, København 1984, p. 28, 49 (1983–1984–1958 is given as the year of publication). In addition to the small instrument built in 1636.
^ Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 2 )). GEC Gad, København 1965, p. 482 (1960–1965 is given as the year of publication). The positive was last mentioned in 1685, in an inventory and during a repair in the same year.
↑ Erik Moltke, Elna Møller u. Vibeke Michelsen: Haderslev Amt (= Danmarks kirker . XX, volume 1 , vol. 1). GEC Gad, København 1954, p. 238 . Erik Moltke, Elna Møller u. Vibeke Michelsen: Tilføjelser and rettelser. Art history oversight. Registre (= Danmarks kirker . XXIII, volume
5 ). GEC Gad, København 1963, p. 2615 . In 1579 there was an organist. A previous organ was repaired in 1587 by the “royal organ maker” (Hans Brebos, Copenhagen). The new Brebos organ from 1588 was completely renovated in 1608 by Nicolaus “orgelbygger” (presumably Nicolaus Maas, Stralsund) and added new registers.
^ Organ in Torrlösa , accessed on November 30, 2013.
↑ Torrlösa kyrka , accessed on July 21, 2016.
^ Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 2 ). GEC Gad, København 1965, p. 109 u. 111 (The year of publication is given as 1960–1965). Lorentz's son, Johan Lorentz the Younger, received permission from the king in 1646 to set up an organ in Holmens Church. Since only his father is known as an organ builder, the work was probably carried out by him. The organ was replaced in 1738 by an instrument by Lambert Daniel Kastens .
^ Nakskov Kirke (Sankt Nicolai Kirke) : “Hovedorgel: Poul-Gerhard Andersen 1968; ældre facade (Johan Lorentz 1648) and piber (PM Gudme 1856) used; 31 stemmer. "Retrieved July 21, 2016.
^ Organ in Roskilde , accessed November 30, 2013.
↑ Roskilde Domkirkes hovedorgel "Marcussen & Son 1991; ældre facade (1654, rygpositiv 1554), rygpositivvindlade (1654?) and piber (Hermann Raphaëlis Rottenstein-Pock 1554, Nicolaus Maas (?) 1611, Gregor Mülisch and Peter Karstensen Botz (?) 1654 including Brødrene Botzen (?) approx. 1691 ) used; 33 stemmer. *) ", Accessed on July 21, 2016.

personal data
SURNAME	Lorentz, Johan the Elder
ALTERNATIVE NAMES	Lorentz, Johan
BRIEF DESCRIPTION	German organ builder
DATE OF BIRTH	around 1580
PLACE OF BIRTH	Grimma
DATE OF DEATH	buried June 18, 1650
Place of death	Elsinore

[1] Fock: Arp Schnitger and his school. 1974, p. 164.

[2] Vente: The Brabant Organ. 1963, p. 108.

[3] Trefaldighetskyrkan , accessed July 21, 2016.

[4] Vente: The Brabant Organ. 1963, p. 109.

[5] Victor Hermansen, Aage Roussell, Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1958, p. 45–46, 223 (1945–1958 is given as the year of publication). The organ was already very old: in 1488 an organist was mentioned, in 1537 organ playing. The organ was repeatedly repaired, the last time in 1618 for 465 Danish. Reichstaler. An unknown organ builder built a new organ in 1690, which was destroyed with the church in the fire in 1728.

[6] Friis 1945.

[7] Erik Moltke, Elna Møller: Frederiksborgs Amt (= Danmarks kirker . II, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1964, p. 200-206 . The year 1625 was written on the Lorentz organ. The gallery was adorned with sixteen paintings depicting the seven liberal arts and the nine Olympic muses . In 1649 Lorentz began a repair of the organ, which he could not complete because of his death: His master craftsman Gregor Mülisch completed the work in 1650. The organ was moved in 1726 by Lambert Daniel Kastens to the west end of the church. 1738–1740 the rich pictorial and picturesque decoration of the organ is described in detail. In 1854 it was described as missing and in 1865 it was replaced by a new building by Marcussen (Aabenraa).

[8] Friis 1945. Friis gives the year 1624–1625 for Lorentz's work.

[9] Birgitte Bøggild Johannsen u. Hugo Johannsen: Odense Office (= Danmarks kirker . IX, volume 2 ). National Museum, København 1995, p. 604-605 .

[10] Victor Hermansen, Poul Nørlund: Sorø Amt (= Danmarks kirker . V, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1936, p. 76-77 .

[11] Victor Hermansen, Poul Nørlund: Sorø Amt (= Danmarks kirker . V, volume 2 ). GEC Gad, København 1938, p. 1181 . Correction regarding of organ building 1773–1774

[12] Friis 1945.

[13] Friis 1945.

[14] Victor Hermansen, Aage Roussell, Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1958, p. 45–46, 223 (1945–1958 is given as the year of publication). In 1628 the tower collapsed and probably smashed an older organ. The organ builder Hans-Christoph Fritzsche (Frietzsch) mentioned in 1655 that the Nicolai organ was built by Lorentz. This may have been the case after the church's choir was rebuilt in the early 1630s. Lorentz's son of the same name (the younger) began his organist service in this church in 1634 or 1635, which he held until his death in 1689. In 1707 the organ was expanded by five stops, but in 1795 the church was destroyed.

[15] Birgitte Bøggild Johannsen, Hugo Johannsen and Karin Kryger: Odense Amt (= Danmarks kirker . IX, volume 3 ). GEC Gad, København 2001, p. 1394–1396 (1998–2001 is given as the year of publication).

[16] Erik Moltke and Elna Møller: Frederiksborg Amt (= Danmarks kirker . II, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1975, p. 422 . The contract was signed in 1635. Lorentz received the last payment in 1636. The organ must have been built before 1638 in any case.

[17] Sankt Mariæ Kirke, Hovedorgel: “Hovedorgel: Marcussen & Søn 1997; ældre facade and 27 facadepiber i rygpositivet (Joh. Lorentz approx. 1641 and Hans Christoph Frietzsche 1663) mentioned; 30 stemmer. *). " , Accessed on July 21, 2016.

[18] Sct. Mariæ Kirke Elsinore , accessed on July 21, 2016.

[19] Birgitte Bøggild Johannsen: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 5 ). GEC Gad, København 1984, p. 28, 49 (1983–1984 is given as the year of publication).

[20] Marie Louise Jørgensen and Hugo Johannsen: Frederiksborg Amt (= Danmarks kirker . II, volume 4 ). GEC Gad, København 1975, p. 2802 . Lorentz received the last payment in July 1639. It is not certain whether the organ was completed this year or earlier.

[21] Erik Moltke u. Elna Møller: Frederiksborg Amt (= Danmarks kirker . II, volume 1 ). GEC Gad, København 1964, p. 628-629 . The Brebos organ was donated to St. Petri Kirke in Copenhagen as part of the new construction by Lorentz and was probably installed there by Lorentz.

[22] Company website Marcussen & Søn "Kronborg Palace Chapel / Kronborg Slotskirke · Helsingør" , accessed on July 21, 2016.

[23] "Kronborg Slot Circe organ: Marcussen & Reuter 1843; ældre facade and orgelhus (Joh. Lorentz 1636) used; restored in 1982 by Th. Frobenius & Sønner; restored in 2002 by Marcussen & Søn; 20 stemmer. " , Accessed on July 21, 2016.

[24] Victor Hermansen, Aage Roussell, Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 1 )). GEC Gad, København 1958, p. 267 (1945–1958 is given as the year of publication). The organ was expanded by a few stops in 1672. Presumably destroyed with the church in the fire in 1728.

[25] Birgitte Bøggild Johannsen: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 5 ). GEC Gad, København 1984, p. 28, 49 (1983–1984–1958 is given as the year of publication). In addition to the small instrument built in 1636.

[26] Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 2 )). GEC Gad, København 1965, p. 482 (1960–1965 is given as the year of publication). The positive was last mentioned in 1685, in an inventory and during a repair in the same year.

[27] Erik Moltke, Elna Møller u. Vibeke Michelsen: Haderslev Amt (= Danmarks kirker . XX, volume 1 , vol. 1). GEC Gad, København 1954, p. 238 . Erik Moltke, Elna Møller u. Vibeke Michelsen: Tilføjelser and rettelser. Art history oversight. Registre (= Danmarks kirker . XXIII, volume
5 ). GEC Gad, København 1963, p. 2615 . In 1579 there was an organist. A previous organ was repaired in 1587 by the “royal organ maker” (Hans Brebos, Copenhagen). The new Brebos organ from 1588 was completely renovated in 1608 by Nicolaus “orgelbygger” (presumably Nicolaus Maas, Stralsund) and added new registers.

[28] Organ in Torrlösa , accessed on November 30, 2013.

[29] Torrlösa kyrka , accessed on July 21, 2016.

[30] Jan Steenberg: København (= Danmarks kirker . I, volume 2 ). GEC Gad, København 1965, p. 109 u. 111 (The year of publication is given as 1960–1965). Lorentz's son, Johan Lorentz the Younger, received permission from the king in 1646 to set up an organ in Holmens Church. Since only his father is known as an organ builder, the work was probably carried out by him. The organ was replaced in 1738 by an instrument by Lambert Daniel Kastens .

[31] Nakskov Kirke (Sankt Nicolai Kirke) : “Hovedorgel: Poul-Gerhard Andersen 1968; ældre facade (Johan Lorentz 1648) and piber (PM Gudme 1856) used; 31 stemmer. "Retrieved July 21, 2016.

[32] Organ in Roskilde , accessed November 30, 2013.

[33] Roskilde Domkirkes hovedorgel "Marcussen & Son 1991; ældre facade (1654, rygpositiv 1554), rygpositivvindlade (1654?) and piber (Hermann Raphaëlis Rottenstein-Pock 1554, Nicolaus Maas (?) 1611, Gregor Mülisch and Peter Karstensen Botz (?) 1654 including Brødrene Botzen (?) approx. 1691 ) used; 33 stemmer. *) ", Accessed on July 21, 2016.