Kalevi Kiviniemi (1958-2024) plays "Mendelsshow", on the great concert organ at the Matthäus Church (St. Matthews), Stuttgart, Germany. This was filmed and recorded on 15th of May 2003, in the early hours, 5:38 AM, after a long recording session.

The organ of the Matthäus Church is a very special one. It was originally built by the German organ builder Weigle in 1896. With its 27 stops, it represented a softly sonorous romantic organ. In 1952 Weigle built a new organ based on the old one. It naturally followed the ideals of the 1950s and 1960s with a bright sound rich in overtones.

In 1967 Weigle expanded the organ, but at that point the organ concept was designed by Ulrich Stierle, the church's organist. He wanted to introduce a Romantic and French dimension to the organ - not considered sensible in the heyday of Neo-Classical organ design.

Between 1975 and 1998, the sound and mechanical design of the organ was designed by Diethelm Berner, an organ builder in Stuttgart. The organ's present unique sound is due largely to his and Ulrich Stierle's efforts. In 1998, organ builder Michael Mauch assumed responsibility for the instrument.

Today, the organ has 72 stops. Organists over the world appearing in the organ recital series have given ideas for expansions they are not haphazard additions. Over the years a modest little instrument has evolved into a major concert organ.

Audio, video & editing: Mika Koivusalo
Organ history: Mika Koivusalo (source: Ulrich Stierle Sr. & Jr.)
Translation: Jaakko Mäntyjärvi
© Mika Koivusalo 2003/2025