2-982-405 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Great Organ at Barmen, Rhenish Prussia, 1858. 'The organ [in the Lutheran Evangelical Church] is built into a space purposely constructed for it, and is quite in keeping with the architecture of the church. The beauty of its exterior is surpassed only by the rich tones which issue from its manifold pipes, which are no less than three thousand three hundred and ninety-eight in number. There are also in this superb instrument sixty-three stops. The inside of the instrument is of the dimensions of a large dining-room, in which fifty persons could dine together with considerable facility; and to one who has heard the organ in full play, when investigating the internal machinery, the only idea he could form of its power is that of heavy musical artillery cannonading about his ears. The effect is deafening as it is wonderful. It is played from the side, so that there is no infringement on the uniform appearance of the front, which presents a magnificent facade richly ornamented with blue, scarlet, and gold. It was built by the celebrated firm of Messrs. Ibach and Son'. From "Illustrated London News", 1858.