Michael Becker Orgelbau

Michael Becker Orgelbau is a German organ-building workshop (Orgelbauwerkstatt) founded in 1955 by Klaus Becker in Tremsbüttel-Sattenfelde, later based in Kupfermühle and, since 2010, in Freiburg im Breisgau. From its beginnings the firm has been committed to the tradition of the organ reform movement (Orgelreform) in the spirit of Albert Schweitzer and to the use of mechanical key and stop actions. Klaus Becker trained as an aircraft engineer from 1938 to 1942, served in the war and was a prisoner from 1942 to 1945, then learned organ building at Rudolf von Beckerath Orgelbau from 1947 to 1955 before going independent. He built organs from the outset in solid timber construction with mechanical playing and register actions and slider chests in classical style. The workshop was successful not only in northern Germany but also exported to Scandinavia, the Netherlands, the United States and Canada; by 1980 its work list already comprised 350 new organs and restorations, and Becker patented his Starup slider gaskets. Klaus Becker's son Michael Becker (born 30 July 1953 in Sattenfelde) trained in music and then in his father's workshop, completing his journeyman's examination there in 1973. After an almost ten-year traditional period of travel (Wanderschaft) focused on Hesse and Austria, he passed his master's examination in 1986. In 1990 he took over responsible leadership of the firm under his own name, continuing the company tradition. After his father's death in 2009, he relocated the firm's seat to Freiburg im Breisgau in 2010. Alongside new organs built according to classical organ-building principles, the company has distinguished itself through restorations of historic organs, for example the 1744 Hartmann organ in the village church of Meßdorf (1996–1998) and the Stumm organ built around 1780 in Hasselbach. The firm presents its instruments and workshop through its website, which offers a work list (Werkliste), a section on the workshop (Der Betrieb), project information and contact details. It remains a private, family-run organ-building business.

The firm was founded in 1955 by Klaus Becker (born 5 March 1924 in Baden-Baden; died 19 August 2009). Becker had been trained as an aircraft engineer from 1938 to 1942 and was in military service and captivity from 1942 to 1945. From 1947 to 1955 he learned organ building at Rudolf von Beckerath Orgelbau. In 1955 he became self-employed and from the beginning built organs in solid timber construction with mechanical playing and register actions and slider chests in classical style. The company was successful not only in northern Germany but also exported to the Scandinavian countries, the Netherlands, the United States and Canada. By 1980 the work list already comprised 350 new organs and restorations. Becker had his Starup slider gaskets patented. His son Michael Becker (born 30 July 1953 in Sattenfelde) trained in music and then in his father's workshop, completing his journeyman's examination there in 1973. After an almost ten-year traditional Wanderschaft with focuses in Hesse and Austria, he passed his master's examination in 1986. In 1990 he took over responsible leadership of the firm under his own name and continued the company tradition. After his father's death, he moved the firm's seat to Freiburg im Breisgau in 2010. Besides new organs built according to classical organ-building principles, the company has come to prominence through restorations of historic organs, for example the Hartmann organ of 1744 in the village church of Meßdorf (1996–1998) and the Stumm organ built around 1780 in Hasselbach. The workshop continues to present its instruments and operations through its website, which includes a work list, a section on the workshop, project information and contact details.

• 2010

  Michael Becker relocates the firm's seat to Freiburg im Breisgau.

• 2009

  Founder Klaus Becker dies on 19 August.

• 1996

  Restoration of the 1744 Hartmann organ in the village church of Meßdorf begins (until 1998).

• 1990

  Michael Becker takes over responsible leadership of the firm under his own name.

• 1986

  Michael Becker passes his master's examination.

• 1980

  The work list comprises 350 new organs and restorations.

• 1973

  Michael Becker completes his journeyman's examination in his father's workshop.

• 1955

  Klaus Becker founds the organ-building firm in Tremsbüttel-Sattenfelde.

Traditional German organ workshop committed to the Orgelbewegung and mechanical action, known for both new instruments and historic restorations.

• New pipe organs with mechanical action and slider chests

• Restoration of historic organs (Hartmann organ, Meßdorf; Stumm organ, Hasselbach)

1. 1Orgelbau Michael Becker - Homebecker-organs.com
2. 2Michael Becker Orgelbauwikidata.org
3. 3Michael Becker Orgelbaude.wikipedia.org