 The Wilhelm organ is built according to classic principles that are widely accepted as the most reliable, functionally, and the most satisfying, artistically. The Playing action of the organ is directly mechanical (tracker); this means that a system of levers and rods called trackers connect the keys to the valves that admit wind to the pipes. The system responds precisely to the organist's fingers, providing the closest possible control over the sounding of the pipes. The only electrical component is the motor driving the blower that supplies wind for the organ.
The organ consists of three divisions -- Hauptwerk, Brustwerk, and Pedal. The pipes of the Hauptwerk and most of the Pedal are located in the main (upper) section of the organ case with the largest pipes of the Hauptwerk Principal 8' in the facade. The lowest pipes of the Pedal Subbass 16' are offset at the very back of the organ cabinet. The Brustwerk is the smaller division fitted with shutters and located below the main case.
There are sevemteen stops controlled by individual drawknobs placed on both sides of the two manuals (keyboards). The flue pipes were made by Metzler & Söhne of Zurich, the reed pipes by Giesecke, and all other wooden parts, including wooden pipes, by Karl Wilhelm, Inc. The stops are voiced according to the principles of the classic North German school of organ building.
The case of the organ is made entirely of white oak, which, for acoustical reasons, is planed smooth rather than sanded. Since the case serves as the main sounding board for the pipes, as well as the means for projecting the sound out into the nave, it is important that the excellent, natural acoustical properties of white oak be maintained. Therefore, the wood is not coated with varnish or shellac.
The builder of the organ, Karl Wilhelm, is German by birth. After completing his apprenticeship as an organ builder, he worked with several builders in Germany and Switzerland, including Metzler & Söhne of Zurich. In 1960 he emigrated to Canada and was engaged as director of the mechanical action division of Casavant Fréres in Ste. Hyacinthe, Quebec. He opened his own shop in Ste. Hyachinthe in 1966. |
are appreciated.