Lithuanian Historical Organs

Kretinga district, Klaipėda region

Church of St. Mary of the Annunciation (former Bernardine, present Franciscan)

Palanga deanery, Telšiai diocese

Organ was destroyed during the World War 2 (26 June 1941). It was the biggest organ in the whole Grand Duchy of Lithuania.

The date of organ building mentioned in the archival documents, stored in the library of Krakow Jagiellonian University [1]. In 1619, the organ was bought in Konigsberg for 16600 florins, funded by count Jonas Karolis Chodkevičius [2]. Record in 1806 visitation: … three manualas, 36 stops, great need of repair [3] (possibly 3 manuals mean 2 manuals and pedals – G.P.).

In 1716, organ repair by master Oreneusz Guldynski from Courland [4].

In 3 June 1759, master Paul Froelich and Kretinga bernardines agreed a contract of rorgan repair [5].

In 1844, organ repair by unnamed brothers Tiedemanns.

In 1925, new instrument behind the historical organ façade built by Bruno Goebel from Konigsberg.

[1] Biblioteka Uniwersytetu Jagiellónskiego, manuscript III 6242, p. 20r, Compendium Omnium Documentorum Conventus Carolstadiensis ad S. Virginem Mariam Annuntiatam et S. Patrem Franciscum … dispositum Anno Domini 1769.
[2] Konradas Kaveckas. Vargonai Lietuvoje. In: Muzikos barai, No. 3, Vilnius, 1938, pp. 65–69.
[3] LVIA , f. 669, ap. 2, b. 221, l. 624.
[4] Information about organ repair in 1716 based on the record from the library of Krakow Jagiellonian University (Biblioteka Uniwersytetu Jagiellónskiego, manuscript III 6242/f. 85v): Organ reparował Pan Oreneusz [Ireneusz?] Guldynski [from Kuldiga?] z Kurlandyi, za co wypłacono Tynf. 4300 [or 4500].
[5] Information based on the record from the library of Krakow Jagiellonian University (Biblioteka Uniwersytetu Jagiellónskiego, manuscript III 6242, p. 135v).

• Façade
• Media

Media

Panorama
Church interior
Video (DVD The Old Lithuanian Organs, 2008, TV Europa)