Orgelbau Klais is a German firm that designs, builds and restores pipe organs. It is a family run company, founded in 1882 by Johannes Klais senior and is now run by his great-grandson Philipp Klais. The firm is based in Bonn, Germany, and has completed many large-scale building and restoration projects around the globe in more than a century of organ building.Hermann Simon mentioned this company in his correspondent Book as an example of a "Hidden Champion" ()
History Johannes Klais, a skilled organ builder trained in Alsace, Switzerland, and Southern Germany, established his own workshop in Bonn in 1882. His craftsmanship was deeply rooted in traditional methods, particularly the use of slider windchests. However, even before the turn of the century, he demonstrated innovation by creating high-pressure stops with dual mouths on pneumatic cone valve chests. In 1906, alongside his son Hans, he introduced electric action to organ building.
Hans Klais succeeded his father in 1925. During his leadership, the company embraced modern influences, particularly in facade design, and made advancements in ergonomic console designs.
In 1965, Hans Gerd Klais, the founder's grandson, took over the business, followed by Philipp Klais, the founder's great-grandson, who became the fourth-generation manager of Orgelbau Klais.
The company gained international recognition for its restoration of the historic Bamboo Organ at St. Joseph's Parish in Las Piñas City, Philippines. The organ was transported to Germany in 1973, meticulously restored in 1974, and returned to the church in 1975. Beyond restoration, the company trained former church choirboys in organ building, who later established a local organ building and restoration workshop.
Klais instruments around the world +CountryimageCityLocationInauguration yearPipesOtherBuenos AiresCentro Cultural KirchnerBrisbaneQueensland Performing Arts Centre6566CatarinaChurch of RodeioBeijingNational Centre for the Performing Arts2007650094 stops. Largest organ in China.ReykjavíkHallgrímskirkja5275AachenAachen CathedralBeuron Archabbey churchCologneCologne Cathedral1998Although enormous, it is almost dwarfed inside the colossal Gothic church as it clings to the balconies. Klais also restored other organs in the cathedral and added a detached console that operates all of them at once.HamburgElbphilharmonie201747654 manuals, 65 registersSt. Nicholas Church2023Connected, can be played from a remote locationMunichSt. Peter's churchMünsterMünster Cathedralapprox. 7173NurembergFrauenkircheTrierTrier Cathedral19745602AthensAthens Concert Hall6080Kuala LumpurPetronas Philharmonic HallKrakówKraków Philharmonic Concert HallEsplanade Concert Hall474061 registersZaragozaBasilica of Our Lady del Pilar20085391Pipes inserted in a Renaissance (1529–1530) wooden frame.Bath, SomersetBath AbbeyLeedsLeeds CathedralWestminsterSt. John's, Smith SquareRedundant but still consecrated church which commissioned its organ when the building became a concert hall.BirminghamSymphony Hall, Birmingham20016000Largest mechanical action organ in the UK.Columbus, OhioFirst Community Church20224 manuals, 85 ranks. Dual consoles.Delaware, OhioOhio Wesleyan University464482 Ranks, 55 Stops.“Musical assets". Ohio Wesleyan University site. Retrieved 2 August 2018Madison, WisconsinOverture HallNew York CitySt. Peter's Lutheran Church19782 manuals, 43 ranks.Iowa City, IowaUniversity of Iowa Voxman Music Building Concert Hall20163883
References
Sources Hans Gerd Klais: Beiträge zur Geschichte und Ästhetik der Orgel: Aus Anlass der Einhundertjahrfeier Orgelbau Johannes Klais Bonn, 1882–1982. Bonn 1983. Architecture of Music. Inspired pipe organs in world class buildings. Johannes Klais Orgelbau (Ed.), Bonn w.J. Horst Hodick: Johannes Klais (1852–1925); ein rheinischer Orgelbauer und sein Schaffen. Musikverlag Katzbichler, München/Salzburg 1993, . Ludger Stühlmeyer: Orgelbau in Hof. In: Musica sacra, 133. Jg. Journal 2, Kassel 2013, pp 104–105.
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