Strings; Undulating Stops; Reeds - Ahlborn HYMNUS IV Owner's Manual

AHLBORN - HYMNUS IV
3)

STRINGS

RECITATIVO II
Viola da gamba 8'
This incisive and delicate stop adds a graceful note of colour to the fundamental sounds. It is
particularly useful in romantic and modern music, where it creates a rich contrast with the deeper and
more penetrating sounds.
If Gamba 8' is blended with Nazardo 2
4)

UNDULATING STOPS

RECITATIVO II
Voce celeste 8'
The Voce celeste 8' from the Swell possesses a typical string character. Played on its own or together
with other gentle 8' stops, the Voce celeste 8' is a stop suited to romantic and modern organ music.
It is interesting to note that in the HYMNUS IV model, the phenomenon of acoustic undulation is
completely natural. In fact, on one of the channels the note played is in tune, while on the other the
note is sharp. The undulation, therefore, originates in the "air" between the two separate sound
sources.
NOTE: It is the norm to exclude the undulating stops from all registrations in which the Mixtures,
Reeds or stops above 8' are present. This is because the phenomenon of acoustic undulation gives
rise to a lack of the necessary basic stability. For the same reason, their use is not recommended for
accompanying choral or other instrumental music.
5)

REEDS

GRANDE ORGANO I
Tromba 8'
Last but not least is the Reed family whose sounds add colour and sharpness to the other stops.
The Great features a Tromba 8' which can be usefully employed as a solo stop to outline a "cantus
firmus" or to enrich the sound of the "Organo Pleno".
In the Swell the Oboe 8', used alone or with fundamental stops and with the help of the expression
pedal, serves the romantic and late-romantic repertoires very well.
In the Pedal the Controfagotto 16' is suitable to support the "plenum" with or without reeds,
emphasizing the virtuosic pedal solos and chorale melodies in long passages entrusted to the feet.
The Regale 4', with its incisive timbre rich in colour, is used to state the "cantus firmus" in the tenor
in the numerous Chorale Preludes which call for a 4' Pedal solo.
Apart from all schematic family subdivisions, one can easily imagine the numerous and interesting
possible combinations which the HYMNUS IV offers, enhanced by the accurate timbre of every
stop.
4
2/3
' it will imitate the sound of an "Oboe" for solo purposes.
RECITATIVO II
Oboe 8'
PEDALE
Controfagotto 16'
Regale 4'