1964

A committee was formed in Engelbrekt to work out a plan for a new organ in this style. The legendary organist in Oscar's church, professor Alf Linder, inspected the old Engelbrekt organ and laid out the basic concept for the new one. Several organ builders were asked to make an offer - amongst them the Danish Marcussen firm. Finally the contract was given to the Swedish builder Grönlunds in Gammelstad. Work commenced in 1963 and the new organ was to be inaugurated at the church's 50-year jubilee 1964.

At the same time another enlargement of the organ loft was planned. Professor Dan-Olof Stenlund, legendary choirmaster in Engelbrekt, saw this enlargement as a necessity. At this time, the St. Matthew passion was an over 40-year old continuous tradition in Engelbrekt. The demand for better working conditions on the balcony was strong.

The Grönlund organ is now developing. It will be a large instrument of over 80 stops with the specification laid out by Alf Linder and Henry Lindroth in collaboration with Grönlunds. The classical disposition includes clearly separated divisions with a "Brustwerk" in the "chest" of the organ, a "Positiv" on the organ loft floor in front of the prospect and pedal towers flanking the centrally placed "Great". A "Spanish trumpet" with horizontal resonators crowns the centre of the organ.

In honour of Oskar Lindberg and his time, a large "Crescendo (swell) division" is built. The old Choir organ and Fernwerk is kept, but with altered specifications. Considered the ideals of the 1960s, this is a humble - and wise - decision.

23 stops from the old organ are reused. 15 of them are kept - slightly altered - in the old "Choir" and "Fernwerk" divisions. Only 8 stops remain more or less intact in the main organ (se specification).

The prospect, as being a mirror of the organ's function, is of course rebuilt. However, the architect Rolf Bergh manages to make a synthesis of the old Wahlman work and the demands of the "new time". At the same time the Wahlman design of 1914 is brought back to life, when the great west windows are opened up once again (they had been closed in the1929 rebuild).

The new organ comprises 86 stops over 7 divisions, played from 5 manuals and pedal.

Although smaller than the previous organ, it keeps its position as one of the largest church organs in Sweden. The completely mechanic action (both playing and registration) makes it unique in Northern Europe.

Walter Thür, a native of Austria with extensive experience of continental organ building, carries out the voicing. He aims to give the organ a tonal character in the tradition of Arp Schnitger and Egedacher.

In the presence of the H.M. the King, the organ was inaugurated December 6th 1964.