Die wiederhergestellte Ludgerikirche zu Norden (Norden Ev.-Luth. Kirchengemeinde Norden, 1985)
The organ of St. Ludgeri in Norden was built from 1686 to 1692 by Arp Schnitger. It has 46 stops, five divisions, three manuals and pedal, and is thus the second-largest surviving Schnitger organ in Germany (after that of the St. James' Church, Hamburg) and until 2018 the largest organ in East Frisia. Historically and musically it is considered an art-work of international rank.
The long phase of restorations in the 20th century began in 1927. After war-related dismantling of the organ for safe-keeping (1943), then re-erection (in 1945 / 1948), and then various restoration works carried out by Paul Ott in 1948 and 1957-1959, its tonal and technical state had become highly unsatisfactory. Even the pipe-work had not escaped interference, due to the lowered wind pressure.
It was not until the restoration by Jürgen Ahrend, carried out from 1981 to 1985 in accordance with strict monument preservation standards and planned by the church musician and organologist Reinhard Ruge who worked at the Ludgerikirche, that the old splendour of the organ's sound would once again be revealed fully. In particular, his reconstruction of the Principals and reed stops is considered masterful.
Keywords: Schnitger, Arp -- 1648-1719; Ludgeri Church Norden (Germany); 20th Century (1901-2000); Church; Organ; Architecture; Norden (Germany)