Mr. Oppeneer was near Noorlander during a summer vacation and decided to take a quick look at the showroom. That “quick look” has become a bit longer: at a certain moment he only “fled”, because he could have stayed much longer! It was a surprise to him to learn how well a digital organ can sound. He has been playing the organ since 1974 and before that he took piano lessons. He never had his own organ, because he never liked the sound of a digital organ. He always went to church to practise the organ where his teacher Mr. P.C. Brakman was the organist. He succeeded him in 1978 and he is still an organist there.
At Noorlander he noticed that he could have his own organ made to measure. He actually wanted a real chest organ for the living room and for the accompaniment of choirs, but such an organ is very limited and he also wanted to be able to study at home. He is very satisfied with Noorlander’s instrument: “It has in fact become a two-manual chest organ with attached pedal. But by pulling out the keyboards, two touchscreens appear and with that you can greatly expand the possibilities. ” He recommends Noorlander to everyone. He would particularly like to show his own organ. As far as he is concerned, a Hauptwerk organ is possible for every budget. “Yes, because an organ does not have to be extensive at all. In fact, it is in self-limitation that a master first shows himself! I think it is a pitfall for many to want too much. ”
He also experienced the service as excellent. “Because my organ is a kind of ‘prototype’, many things were not yet developed. In good consultation, we agreed everything during construction and there was every opportunity for that. Afterwards there were some things that we wanted different or better and we resolved that, again in good consultation, to our satisfaction. ” He finds the quality of his organ tip-top. He has already played a few times with a professional chamber orchestra and these musicians were very enthusiastic about his organ. Choir members could not understand that there are no pipes in his organ. At the latest concert with choir and orchestra, he played almost everything on his own organ. Thanks to his new instrument, he no longer has to go to church to practise. He has always done that for 45 years. “It is a great relief, especially on Saturdays! And I am now playing for at least an hour every day. Often even more! And that is reflected in my skill! ”
