Szostak Michał (2024). Baltic Organ Crowns. The Organ, No 409, August-October (Summer) 2024, 27-43.
Introduction
Between April and July 2024, I had the opportunity to perform recitals on the largest and the most prominent organs of three East Baltic countries: the Republic of Lithuania (25,200 sq mi, 2.8 million inhabitants, Roman Catholics mostly), the Republic of Latvia (24,938 sq mi, 1,9 million inhabitants, Lutherans mostly), and the Republic of Estonia (17,504 sq mi, 1,3 million inhabitants, religionless mostly). These relatively small but closely cooperating and dynamically developing countries have many similarities (e.g., Hansa League history, communist history, regained independence in 1991, EU and NATO membership since 2004) and differences (e.g., separate languages, varied cultures, diverse dominating religions). The reach economic and cultural legacy from the 18th and 19th centuries created a fertile background for developing the pipe organ landscape (although currently, most of each society does not undertake regular religious practices). These countries’ essential instruments were built before the communist era and are currently playable thanks to extensive restoration and maintenance works.
The article describes the organ landscapes of three East Baltic countries and the details of each country’s crucial instrument: Lithuania’s largest organ (63 stops, 3M+P) at the Church of St. John the Baptist and St. John the Apostle and Evangelist in Vilnius (i.e., Vilnius University church), Latvia’s largest organ (131 stops, 4M+P) at Holy Trinity Cathedral in Liepāja (at the same time, the world’s largest fully mechanic organ), and Estonia’s largest organ (81 stops, 3M+P) at Charles Lutheran Church in Tallinn.
Website of the magazine – here.