The Rieger-kloss organ, opus 3717

The Rieger-Kloss Organ, Opus 3717, was built in the Czech-Republic and installed in the sanctuary of Madison Street United Methodist Church in 2001.  It is comprised of three manuals, pedal board, and 107 speaking stops.

The magnificent organ case stands three stories tall above the choir, and includes 32′ pipes in the facade, each of which weigh nearly 850 pounds.  The large organ facade proportionally matches the high ceilings and large cubic space of the Madison Street Sanctuary.  The organ soars above the choir loft on the long axis of the room, giving it the best possible musical position in the room.

The first requirement in planning the design for this organ was to play the liturgy of the church, accompany great hymn singing, to provide magnificent choral accompaniments for all age voices and to inspire the worship service.  There is not a voice in the organ that might not be used in a regular worship service, and it is capable of playing a fabulous organ concert!  It has been designed as an instrument of distinction, not to copy any other organ, although many historical influences are present.  For instance, the organ has a Grand Choir Resonance Division (Manual I), which is greatly influenced by the French School of Organ Building.  It gives a fabulous richness to the organ in playing French Toccatas and other literature where the pitch line is high on the keyboard.  The presence of the Grand Choir Resonance Division is highly unique, appearing on only one other instrument in the Southeast and on only a handful of instruments in the entire United States.

The chief engineer for the instrument was Oldrich Hajek, with organ design by William E. Gray, Jr.  Tonal finishing was done under the direction of Daniel Angerstein.  In 2004, all three of the original keyboards were replaced with tracker-action keyboards, giving a greater sense of control to the player.  In 2012 six solo ranks were added.  These additions include the dramatic Tuba Mirablis, which speaks from the main organ in the Chancel and the powerful State Trumpet, which speaks from the rear of the Nave.

This instrument will have a lasting influence on the cultural and worshiping life of not only Madison Street United Methodist Church, but also the greater Clarksville community.