How our passion for organs was born
The idea to have his own organ workshop starts to grow in Michal Novak’s (workshop founder) head in last years of last century. Primary impulse was the opportunity to get acquainted in detail with the masterpiece of the well-known Prague organist of German origin, Leopold Spiegl.
These unique organs from 1721, which can be seen in the West Bohemian town of Valeč, can enchant by their wonderful sound, incredible number of mechanically functioning elements and beautifully decorated wardrobe. Not only this instrument started Michal's artistic career and motivated him to study music on conservatory. But this instrument was behind the primary desire to try it on his own and build his own organ. So without any knowledge of the internal construction of the instrument, a drawing was created, and later the first organ, which suffered from many drawbacks but really sound. Can you imagine the joy of a little boy who did this?
The studies increased our interest
This interest did not leave Michal even later during his adolescence and study at the conservatory. This was followed by the research of mostly foreign-language literature dealing with the construction of the organ, regular visits to churches and listening and comparing the sound of a wide range of domestic and foreign instruments. It is unbelievable in how many details, but also the essential elements can vary one organ from another. Apart from the differences in the design of the cabinets and the distribution of the pipes in the prospectus, the various types of organs differed considerably, even in the sound and in some of the unusual fiddles of their builders. Some had, for example, a bell star (zimbelstern), cuckoos, wind chimes, drums, and so on.
And finally, we established a real organ workshop
All this led to the creation of the Czech organ workshop Sandrik Giovannino de Provolone over time. We specialize in the manufacturing and repair of positives and small portable organs. Every new tool is a challenge for us. We manufacture unique products that cannot be used with pre-purchased parts. We have to make the components in our workshop. Every new instrument needs to be thought through in advance, designing the placement of the pipes so that they first of all have enough acoustic space to create a tone, but they are also easily accessible for tuning and maintenance. All in a limited space. This requires not only a sense of harmony with the instrument but also precise craftsmanship and experience. And this unique combination we can offer you in our workshop.
This is a selection of craft techniques that we have perfected
Our tools are made of first-class wood exclusively using traditional craft techniques without screws using classic joinery (pin and mortise, dovetail joint, strip, etc.). In the Sandrik Giovannino de Provolone workshop we can also manufacture wooden and tin pipes. Working with metal is not an easy job. The knowledge and experience of founder grandmother, academic sculptor and restorer Alena Nováková helped in many ways. From the experience of her goldsmith's workshop comes today's conception of our manufacturing of torn and chiseled whistles, but also the way we manufacture decorated hinges, lock plates and other metal and decorative organ parts. The only component we buy is electric blowers. It is made for us by Konyves from Gyor, Hungary.
We solve each tool with the utmost care, a large proportion of handwork and strive to deliver it in excellent quality. This is possible thanks to perfectly dried wood by naturally way from various domestic and rare exotic trees from France, Italy, but also from distant Australia and New Zealand. For the construction of the organ we use mostly wood from:
Sandrik Giovannino de Provolone organ workshop and its head Michal Novák looks forward to cooperate with you on our projects.
