Jan L M van Dinteren; translation Hans van Oost
The annual October fair in the village of Echt in Limburg meant the first musical appearance of Mr. J.M. Hoefnagels' big Ruth, style 37neu after a complete restoration by Werner Schwarz from Dachau, Germany. The big, loud and pipe-packed instrument was there between many other organs.
According to Mr. Voigt the organ was built about 1885 as a barrel organ, style 24 with 90 keys (view picture). In 1922 the firm of Fr. Wrede in Hannover converted the organ to play book music of Ruth style 36 (78 keyless) In 1928 Fr. Loos in Nuernberg took out some repairs. In 1937 the organ was rebuilt by Voigt Orgelbau in Frankfurt-M Hoechst to play paper rolls of style Ruth 37-neu (85 keyless). It had a double keyless frame; while one roll was played the other was rolled back.
During WW 2, and in the subsequent GDR-time the organ came out of use. All that could be said about the instrument is that it was making sounds. The Seifert family of Leipzig sold the organ to the present owner. In February 1998 the Ruth arrived in Swalmen. During a 10 month restoration the organ was rebuilt to the book-operated style 37-neu with a single keyframe. I think the added ocarina register is an enrichment to the tone-colour.
This Ruth-organ was saved and acts as a good company for the other valuable instruments of Mr. Hoefnagels' collection.
Illustrations:
1. The former Ruth barrel organ as a paper roll organ, shortly after its acquisition by Mr. Hoefnagels.
2. The Ruth 37-neu after restoration, playing at the Echt fair on Sunday, 8th October 2000.
3. Picture of a Ruth barrel organ style 24 (from a Ruth catalogue). The front is of the same style as Mr. Hoefnagels' organ.