!!!Orgelbau

Organ-building: Geographical and historical aspects had a determining 
influence on the development of the organ and organ music in Austria. 
The first definite references to organs date from the 14%%sup th/%  
century (St. Stephen´s Cathedral in Vienna, 1334, Salzburg 
Cathedral, 1399). From the 15%%sup th/%  century onwards, most 
churches had organs. They were also built in palace chapels and later 
in concert halls. Organs or their cases have been preserved from all 
historical periods from the Renaissance onwards. The preservation of 
historical organs is the responsibility of the Austrian Federal Office 
for the Protection of Monuments.

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Among the important preserved Renaissance organs in Austria are those 
in Innsbruck (Hofkirche church, 1558; Silberne Kapelle chapel, around 
1570) as well as in the museums of the provinces of Salzburg and 
Vorarlberg. The early 17th century saw a first culmination of 
early Baroque artistry in organ-building in Austria (in Lienz, 
Schlaegl, Klosterneuburg, and the Franziskanerkirche church in 
Vienna). Other early Baroque organs can be found in Poellauberg and 
Admont (both built around 1690) and in the Michaelerkirche church in 
Vienna (1714). During this era, the organ-building family Egedacher of 
Passau assumed special significance (organs of the Salzburg Cathedral, 
1704, Zwettl Monastery, 1731, and others).

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During the reign of Maria Theresia, organ-building flowered in 
Austria. In addition to the Egedachers, J. Hencke and A. Pfliegler 
were of particular importance; significant organ-builders of the 
18%%sup th/%  century include G. Sonnholz, G. Mitterreiter, F. X. 
Chrismann, F. X. Christoph, M. Jesswagner, I. Gatto, L. F. 
Richter ,and A. and F. Schwarz. The reform measures of Joseph II 
brought a certain degree of stagnation in organ-building, which was, 
however, soon overcome. Joseph Birgaentzle, a fugitive from the French 
Revolution, enriched the Vorarlberg organ landscape (Bludesch, 1804). 
During the 19%%sup th/%  century, master craftsmen continued to 
produce organs of high quality. In the Old Cathedral in Linz, L. 
Breinbauer built an organ according to the stipulations of Anton 
Bruckner.

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The organ for the main hall of the Musikverein in Vienna was built by 
F. Ladegast in 1872, the St. Stephen´s Cathedral organ by 
E. F. Walcker in 1886. From the turn of the century, technical 
innovations such as pneumatic or electric action came into use in 
Austria, but a countermovement by organists preferring mechanical 
action has held its own even up to today. Currently (1995) there are 
about 40 organ-building companies in Austria; research in this field 
is done by the Institute of Organologic Research and Documentation at 
the Vienna University of Music and Dramatic Arts. The association 
"Austrian Organ Forum" has represented the interests of 
persons involved in activities related to organs since 1985.

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Numerous Austrian composers have produced important works for organ. 
Among them were P.  Hofhaimer, J. J.  Froberger, J. J.  Fux, 
J. G.  Albrechtsberger, J.  Haydn, W. A.  Mozart, A.  
Bruckner, S.  Sechter, J. N.  David, A.  Heiller, J. F.  
Doppelbauer, A. F.  Kropfreiter, and M. Radulescu.

!Literature
O. Eberstaller, Orgeln und Orgelbauer in Oesterreich, 
1955; K. Schuetz, Der Wiener Orgel in der 2. Haelfte des 
18. Jahrhunderts, doctoral thesis, Vienna 1969; A. Forer, Orgeln 
in Oesterreich, 1973; K. Schuetz, Orgeluebersicht, in: H. Goertz, 
Musikhandbuch fuer Oesterreich, 1983; G. Lade, Orgeln in Wien, 1990; 
K. Schuetz, Theater- und Kinoorgeln in Wien,1991.


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