Music sample
J.S. Bach (1685-1750) - Fantasie in g minor BWV 542/1
fragment of the ECHO-CD
Organist: Dietrich Wagler
Freiberg Cathedral
Gottfried Silbermann main organ (1714 and 1738)
| Hauptwerk | Oberwerk | Brustwerk |
| Bordun 16' | Quintadehn 16' | Gedackt 8' |
| Principal 8' | Principal 8' | Principal 4' |
| Viola di Gamba 8' | Gedackt 8' | Rohrflöt 4' |
| Rohrflöt 8' | Quintadehn 8' | Nassat 3' |
| Octava 4' | Octava 4' | Octava 2' |
| Quinta 3' | Spitzflöt 4' | Tertia 1 3/5' |
| Sup. Octav 2' | Sup. Octac 2' | Quinta 1 1/2' |
| Tertia 1 3/5' | Flaschflöt 1' | Sufflöt 1' |
| Cornet V | Echo V | Mixtur III |
| Mixtur IV | Mixtur III | |
| Zimbeln III | Zimbeln II | |
| Trompet 8' | Krumbhorn 8' | |
| Clarin 4' | Vox Humana 8' | |
| Pedal (C,D-c1) | ||
| Untersatz 32' (32'+ 16') | Tremulant (Manuale) | |
| Princ. Bass 16' | Schwebung (Tremulant OW) | |
| Sub Bass 16' | Sperrventil HW + BW (unwritten) | |
| Octav Bass 8' | Sperrventil OW (unwritten) | |
| Octav bass 4' | Schiebekoppeln I/II und III/II | |
| Ped. Mixtur VI | (without Pedalkoppel) | |
| Posaun Bass 16' | Pitch:a1 = 476,3 Hz | |
| Trompet Bass 8' | Compromise between modified Meantone | |
| Clarinet Bass 4' | and equal Temperament | |
Already in 1710, after Silbermann had built an organ for his home town Frauenstein, he received the order to build his first important work in Freiberg Cathedral on recommendation of Johann Kuhnau,choirmaster and organist of the Thomaskirche (St Thomas' Church) in Leipzig.
In August 1714, the instrument with 44 stops on three manuals and pedal could be inspected and inaugurated. ln 1783, the specification of the Oberwerk was slightly modified. The instrument represents the largest of Silbermann's organ models. Thanks to the conscientious and reverent maintenance by Silbermann's pupils and organ builders of following generations the substance of the instrument was preserved almost completely. Due to a fundamental restoration between 1981 and 1983 (Jehmlich of Dresden, in substantial collaboration with Kristian Wegscheider) the original condition
of the instrument could approximately be re-established.
The building of the organ of Freiberg Cathedral and numerous regional advantages led Silbermann to set up his residence and place of work in the so- called Regimentshaus (Regimental House) at Schloszplatz (Castle Square) where he stayed until his death in 1753.
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