Adopt a whistle,
become its patron

The Strahov choir organ is made up of 1092 pipes - each of them is unique and at the same time indispensable for the musical sound ensemble. Together they play in harmony and speak to our hearts. Become a patron of at least one of them. Your symbolic adoption will help save a real pipe organ and together we will restore the Strahov organ to its sonorous beauty.

By contributing to the restoration of a particular pipe, you will receive a donor certificate, a tax-deductible donation receipt, but most of all a heartfelt feeling that you have helped to save a beautiful musical instrument in Strahov Basilica, our spiritual and cultural heritage. A beautiful gift for you or your loved ones.

How to adopt a whistle

1

Select an index

The individual pipes are arranged in so-called registers according to the character of their sound. The registers usually resemble different musical instruments and are named as such. The Strahov choir organ has a main machine with 11 registers and an upper machine, the so-called positive, with 9 registers. The pedals represent 4 sets of pipes. First select the register in which you find your pipe.

2

Select a tone

The registers differ from each other in sound, colour and strength of the tone, which also influences the material and shape of the pipe. Strahov pipes are both wooden and metal. Each of them has its own specific tone, which is created by sounding it with a stream of air. Find yours in the set of pipes marked with the tone.

3

Send the amount of the donation

The selected pipe has an assigned value that we need to repair it and determines the amount of your donation. You can send it through a payment gateway, card payment or bank transfer. After payment, we will send you a receipt and donor certificate in your name or the name of your loved one.

Start by choosing a register

Main machine

The main engine of the organ, the 1st manual, is the key part of the instrument that has the basic range of sound. The first manual of the Strahov organ has 11 registers and 537 pipes. It houses most of the large pipes and is controlled via the first keyboard of the playing desk. The main machine is located in the space behind the baroque organ case and fully respects the original architectural style.

Bordun 16 Fuβ

The deepest register. 51 wooden covered pipes that produce a beautifully full bass tone. Its sound is reminiscent of a deep wooden flute.

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Principal 8 Fuβ

The carrying voice of the organ. Principal 8′ is considered the "soul of the organ". Its pleasant, full sound is provided by 51 open metal pipes.

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Hohlflöte 8 Fuβ

The full sound of the hollow flute. 51 open woodwinds with soft, slightly hollow tones reminiscent of the sound of a wooden flute.

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Gamba 8 Fuβ

A buzzing sound like a stringed instrument. The Gamba 8′ main machine register has 51 full-range (C-d3) tin whistles whose mellow tone is reminiscent of a viola da gamba.

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Bifara 8 Fuβ

An unusual organ voice. Bifara 8′ includes only 27 tin whistles in the range (c1 - d3). Not every organ has this register with the lowest number of pipes.

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Octave 4 Fuβ

Principal an octave higher. These 51 metal pipes play a vital role in the organ's graduated sound picture. They sound an octave higher than the Principal 8′.

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Fugara 4 Fuβ

Romantic string colouring. The register of 51 narrow tin whistles stands out with a delicate, harmonious but expressive sound. It plays a nice gentle tone with dynamic depth.

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Quinte 2 2/3 Fuβ

An essential part of the classical organ. The register of 51 metal pipes is sonically distinctive, sounding a duodecima higher than the fundamental tone of the key.

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Octave 2 Fuβ

A distinctive and penetrating tone adds sparkle. This is the strength of the Ocatave 2' high register, which consists of 51 metal pipes of smaller length.

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Mixtur 5 fach

The sound crown of the organ. Three pipes play at once. One key plays multiple high notes, or sounds three smaller metal pipes, at once. There are 51 notes.

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Trumpet 8 Fuβ

The strongest and most distinctive voice. A register with a trumpet-like sound has 51 pipes. It represents a distinctive voice that is formed by oscillating reeds.

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Upper machine

The 2nd manual, the upper machine of the organ, is a separate sound section that complements the main machine with more subtle and colourful tones. This positive has 447 pipes divided into 9 registers. Ideal for contrasting melodic lines or accompaniments. Operated from the second keyboard of the playing desk. The upper machine will be built into a restored baroque organ case in keeping with its architecture.

Principal 4 Fuβ

Tin pipes in the organ prospectus are still in plain sight. The sound is clear and distinctive. The choir organ at Strahov has 51 pipes in this register.

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Copula major 8 Fuβ

Recorder of the Baroque organ. An index that reflects as faithfully as possible the period to which the Strahov organ historically belonged. It consists of only 39 wooden pipes.

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Salicional 8 Fuβ

A soft, slippery voice. In the Strahov organ the register consists of 51 narrow metal pipes. A key element for the balanced and melodic sound of the organ's plenum.

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Copula minor 4 Fuβ

Flute character of wooden pipes. In the positive of the Strahov organ we find 51 pipes of this register, which is an indispensable complement to the deeper tone of the Copula Major 8′.

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Nasat 2 2/3 Fuβ

The rich voice of the baroque repertoire. It has a light and penetrating sound that is reminiscent of a baroque flute. The choir organ of Strahov Basilica has 51 pipes in this register.

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Octave 2 Fuβ

Clear and penetrating sound. The register is made up of 51 metal pipes that bring sparkle to the organ's voice. Versatile use for a variety of musical styles is also preferred.

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Terz 1 3/5 Fuβ

Emphasizing the details of the organ harmony. The 51 round and wide metal pipes enrich the organ's sound spectrum with a clear and penetrating voice.

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Sedecima 1 Fuβ

The ornate sound of the organ. The Strahov choir organ has 51 metal pipes in this register, with a tone four octaves higher, which produce a sparkling, piercing and clear voice.

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Mixtur 3 fach

Three rows of high-pitched whistles. This mixed register with a clear and penetrating voice creates a sonic crown of positivity. Includes 51 triplets of metal whistles.

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Pedals

The pedal registers of the choir organ are 4. Pedals are the keyboard controlled by the organist's feet and are essential to the integrity of the organ sound. They enrich the musical expression with a bass foundation. The pedal pipes produce deep and powerful tones and there are 108 of them. Like the main machine, they are located behind the baroque organ case, more precisely under the playing table.

Subbaβ 16 Fuβ

Dark, full tone. The deepest register is controlled by pedals and consists of 27 large wooden pipes. It is the indispensable basic bass register of the organ.

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Principalbass 8 Fuβ

Bass core of the organ. Pedal register full of deep tones and pure bass colour. The main purpose of the harmony of the 27 pipes is to support the harmony of the organ's voice with the depth of its tone.

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Gedecktbaβ 8 Fuβ

The indispensable bass register. The 27 wooden pipes are covered. The sonic possibilities impress with a strong, soft and full fundamental tone.

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Posaunenbaβ 16 Fuβ

The solid foundation of the organ's ceremonial plenum. The reed register of 27 tin pipes stands out with its powerful and penetrating sound, reminiscent of an orchestral trombone.

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