Forskningsprogrammet ”Förändringsprocesser i nordeuropeisk orgelkonst 1600–1970: integrerade studier i spelpraxis och instrumentbygge”.

En utvärdering

Abstract

The Research Project: “Changing Processes in North European Organ Art 1600–
1970: Integrated Studies in Performance Practice and Instrument building”. An
evaluation
This article is a short version of the evaluation that I carried out commissioned by the steering committee for GOArt (the Göteborg Organ Art Center) at Göteborg University. The assignment consisted of evaluating, from a musicological perspective, the research project “Changing Processes in North European Organ Art 1600– 1970: Integrated Studies in Performance Practice and Instrument building” carried out by GOArt in the period between 1995 and 2000. The project’s strengths lie first in the areas of organ documentation, organ buil- ding (handcraft knowledge, knowledge about materials, acoustics, airflow systems, etc.), organ restorations and organ conservation. Here we find the greatest potential for future development. The cooperation with Chalmers University of Technology was of crucial importance. A particular and very successful niche involves research into the clavichord, also within the realm of instrument building. The project appears to have generated a great deal of attention from people within organ restoration and organ building circles, and to a slightly lesser degree, among organists. Among its weaknesses it could be mentioned, that up until now at any rate, the project does not seem to have made a large impact within the musicological research community. The reason for this is difficult to say. One factor may be that not enough time has yet passed. It can sometimes take a great deal of time before prominent research receives the attention to which it is entitled.