Having first introduced the Klop continuo organ to the USA in 1985, HCH is now pleased to introduce to the USA, the larger church organs which Klop has been building and installing throughout Europe. European congregations have thrilled to the magnifient sound of these instruments for decades. Henk Klop has had the privilege of building organs for the Thomaskirche, Leipzig, and the private residence of Pope John-Paul II.
All Klop organs feature mechanical action, with pipework completely of wood, in the Compenius organ (Denmark 1610) tradition.

First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, Georgia, was in need of a new organ for their Gothic style chapel, built in the early twentieth century with seating for about 200 people.

Several requirements had to be met: first, the organ needed to be compact in size, self contained, and to blend with the interior architecture of the building; second, it was decided that the instrument needed to contain fourteen stops distributed over two manuals and pedal; and, third, delivery needed to be within two years.

A custom instrument based on the Klop two manual and pedal chamber organ was chosen. The stop list was a collaboration between Charles Whittaker, Music Director, First Presbyterian, and Howard Wagner, of HCH.

The casework was built of English oak and stained to match the paneling in the chapel. Architectural elements of the chapel were included in the case design. Total time from the date of commission to installation was about twenty months.

A formal dedication is planned for Spring, 2006.

The stop list is as follows:

Manual I (upper manual) 56 notes
8’ Principal (bottom octave common with 8’ Holpjip)
4’ Octave
2’ Octave
1 1/3’ Quint (full compass)
8’ Holpjip
8’ Kroomhorn
Zimbelstern with rotating star

Manual II (lower manual) 56 notes
8’ Quintadena
4’ Rohrflote
2 2/3 Nasard (full compass)
2’ Blockflote
1 3/5’ Terz (full compass)
8’ Stopped Flute (Naser scaling)

Pedal 30 notes
16’ Subbass
8’ Flute (transmission from 16’)
4’ Schalmei

Manual couplers: II - I, I - II,
Pedal couplers: I - P, II - P
Tremulant (entire organ)

Henk Klop, Howard Wagner and John Bennett

Another view of the interior of the Klop organ.

John Bennett, Howard Wagner and Henk Klop

View of the interior First Presbyterian Church, Atlanta, Georgia.

The Klop organ in the chapel.

View of the interior of the Klop organ.

Glenn Giuttari and Henk Klop

Howard Wagner at the keyboard

Detail of the pipeshade carving.