Mannheim, Heilig-Geist Kirche

The tonally handsome instrument of the Church of the Holy Spirit in Mannheim, built in 1990, is the work of the organbuilder Karl Göckel from Mühlhausen-Rettigheim near Heidelberg. The organ has 44 stops on three 58-note manuals and a pedalboard of 32 notes. The note action is fully mechanical, while the third manual can be played via an auxiliary Barker lever with an automatic return assist. This Barker mechanism makes use of the exhaust principle and was patented by Karl Göckel (DE 4014204 Cl). Thus, it works by depressurization rather then by pressure as does the usual model, and functions with greater precision. The stop action is electric. There is a 64-stage combination action. The modern case in oak symbolizes in its shapes and ornamentation the tongues of fire of the Holy Spirit. The specification shows the influence of French organbuilding, particularly the Swell division which contains four reed stops. The reed pipes were custom made in the Göckel shop. A further unusual feature is the two divisions under expression. Outstandingly successful are the four overblowing flutes. Hence it may be asserted that this very beautiful, carefully voiced organ may be counted among the most successful organs to be credited to German organbuilding over the past years. It is highly appropriate to the performance of French organ music of our century.