The Laurenskerk is, just like the Euromast, Erasmus Bridge and the Markthal, an icon of the city of Rotterdam. The distinctive tower marks one of the few remains of the Middle Ages. The Laurenskerk has acquired a position as an event church and sight.

The church has unique organs. The imposing main organ and the Neo-Baroque transept organ are world famous. There is a large group of organ fans. The Laurenskerk is also a focal point for vocal music, performed, among others, by the ‘house ensembles’ of Laurens Vocaal.

Rich organ tradition
The main organ of the Laurenskerk, which was lost during the bombing in 1940, had an excellent reputation and was the largest in the Netherlands. The church had a rich tradition as a concert venue. This started in the 19th century and reached its peak with organist Hendrik de Vries. Rotterdam was then considered one of the top locations in Europe. De Vries has given many organ concerts from that period by Reger, Guilmant and Widor, which was a premiere in the Netherlands. Naturally, after the war, they wanted to restore this reputation.

Transept organ
After WWII they even went a step further, an instrument had to be added. In the south transept there used to be an organ (can be seen in paintings from that time) and people wanted an instrument there again.

The Danish company Marcussen built that transept organ and the result is one of the most beautiful Neo-Baroque instruments in our country. For the disposition of the organ, click here.

The ‘Red Giant’
Marcussen was also commissioned for the main organ in 1973. It has 85 registers, making it the largest church organ in the Netherlands. It is jokingly called the ‘Red Giant’, after the impressive organ case in a dark red hue.

The nature of the game is, according to the opinion of the time, entirely mechanical. That doesn’t make it easy to register. Many foreign organists of cathedral organs of the same size are used to playing ‘electrically’.

The main organ is unique in terms of sound. It is exceptionally versatile and has a majestic, noble sound. With this instrument, the Laurenskerk instantly became a first-rate concert venue again. You can find the disposition here.

Choir organ and positive
The 3rd Marcussen organ of the Laurenskerk is in the choir. It was built in a historic greenhouse of the Old Catholic secret church in Amsterdam. There are 8 registers.

In the side chapel of ‘Peace and Reconciliation’ there is a positive from the Utrecht company Van Vulpen. The instrument was made in 1963 and was originally located elsewhere in Rotterdam. It has 5 voices.

Organ revolution
The Laurenskerk in Rotterdam wants an organ revolution! We are renovating our large Marcussen organ. In the choir of the Laurenskerk we are building a pipe organ of the future that can be played digitally: a ‘hyper organ’. This makes the organ accessible to a wide group of musicians, not just organists. Moreover, sounds are created for different, including contemporary, genres and crossovers. The renovated main organ and new hyper organ can be played from a mobile console.

Renovation of the main organ
Our main organ (1973) by the famous organ maker Marcussen is of superior make and sound. It is considered the largest in the Netherlands. It served for almost 50 years without any significant defect. During that period the instrument acquired international fame.

But intensive use leaves traces. The instrument is dirty, there are pipes that need a makeover. The experience gained also requires some design changes. The organ must be taken apart, cleaned and renovated where necessary.

Mobile gaming table
We also want to make the main organ playable electrically, from a mobile console. The necessary adjustments will be made during the renovation.

The authentic mechanical playing, ‘on top of the organ’, naturally remains intact. The Marcussen organ thus takes on a new dimension. Soon you will be able to play it from different places in the church! New opportunities arise to perform with musicians and ensembles.

Digital pipe organ in the choir
We are building a digital pipe organ, a so-called ‘hyper organ’. It has classic organ pipes, but the sound capabilities of the synthesizer. Every pipe can be manipulated digitally. The pipes come from the Pels organ of the former Holy Family Church in Rotterdam that was donated to us. Players, composers, other musicians and ensembles can use this revolutionary instrument as an acoustic magic box.

We will place the hyper organ in the choir of the church, on the site of the current small choir organ, which will be moved to the other side.

Expansion of organ programming
The Laurenskerk has an excellent reputation as an organ stage. With the digital console and the hyper organ we make the organ more attractive, also for the new generation of musicians and makers. It will soon be exciting to listen to and watch organ playing. We are going to invite composers and artists to come up with something with our instruments. We will renew our programming. A special program committee is blowing a new organ wind. We hope to delight more and other visitors with organ music of the future.

What does it cost?
The necessary investment for ‘Hyperorgel Rotterdam’ amounts to more than € 3,110,000 (2022). The Grote of Sint Laurenskerk Foundation, operator of the Laurenskerk, is the client of ‘Hyperorgel Rotterdam’. The required investment falls outside the scope of the Laurenskerk. The SGLK has already managed to raise more than half of the required budget. But the support of many is still needed to make the entire plan possible.

Provisional timeline

2023-2024 

• quotes main organ and console
• fundraising (actions) second phase
• start and press time
• commissioning renovation of main organ and construction of 2nd console

2025-2027

• execution of restoration of main organ and installation of 2nd console
• continued fundraising

2027

• delivery and commissioning

May 2024

BENEFIT HOUSE CONCERT AT HERMAN SUNDAY

Entrepreneur and organ enthusiast Herman Zondag organized a benefit concert for some of his relations on May 22 for the renovation of the main organ of the Laurenskerk. This took place at his home, in his own organ hall, which is decorated like St. Sulpice in Paris and contains an impressive Noorlander organ. Hayo Boerema, organist of the Laurenskerk, gave the concert in three parts.

Herman opened the evening, when Andries Ponsteen spoke on behalf of the Laurenskerk about the status of the renovation of the main organ. Hayo then played works by Johann Sebastian Bach, Charles Marie Widor and a number of chorale arrangements by Feike Asma and Jan Zwart. A first for Hayo, who had never done this before. He also always provided, in his own humorous way, an explanation of the pieces to be performed. Of course he also played some improvisations, including on Psalms 42 and 68 and on the Pentecost hymn ‘Veni Creator Spiritus’. In between, the guests were treated to an excellent five-course walking dinner.

What was extra fascinating was that the Noorlander organ can sound like the Bovenkerk in Kampen, the Grote Kerk in Dordrecht or … like the Laurenskerk in Rotterdam at the touch of a button! Hayo gratefully took advantage of these opportunities.

Those present thoroughly enjoyed this evening. This appreciation was also evident from the proceeds from this special house concert: no less than € 17,000 for the renovation of the main organ and the second console!

Who are they?
Client
‘Hyperorgel Rotterdam’ is a project of the Grote of Sint Laurenskerk Foundation (SGLK), which also raises the necessary financial resources.

Project team
‘Hyperorgel Rotterdam’ is managed by a project team of:
– Hayo Boerema, titular organist
– Elles van Vegchel, director Laurenskerk
– Frank Migchielsen, external advisor
– Ingrid van Meggelen, project employee
– Andries Ponsteen, secretary SGLK and chairman of the project team

Partners
A Sounding Board Group, in which a number of involved partners from ‘Hyperorgel Rotterdam’ participate:
– Cor van den Hoek (Reformed Church)
– Wiecher Mandemaker (Laurens Vocaal)
– Hayo Boerema (organist)
– Frank Migchielsen (adviser)
– Arjen Heere, Remko Dijkman (Grote Kerk Foundation)
– Aart Bergwerff, Hans Fidom, Natascha Reich (organ advisors)
– Ingrid van Meggelen (SGLK, secretariat)
– Elles van Vegchel (director SGLK)
– Andries Ponsteen (SGLK board, chairman)

Organ advisors
The organ advisors are: Aart Bergwerf, Natascha Reich and Hans Fidom.

Ambassadors
The following people support ‘Hyperorgel Rotterdam’ and are part of the Recommendation Committee:
– Frans Weisglas, former chairman of the House of Representatives
– Wilma Franchimon, Codarts
– Yannick Hiwat, jazz violinist
– Richard Jongste, Maasmond B.V.
– Frans Lavooij, Nedspice
– Claron McFadden, soprano
– James McMillan, composer
– Pieter van Oord, Van Oord N.V.
– Arnoud Rodenburg, (former) mayor of Midden-Delfland
– Eric Vloeimans, jazz trumpeter
– Sander Zwiep, Omroep Max