Aspects of Sound Structure in Historic Organs of Europe

This article sketches the development of pipe organs in Europe from Roman times to the Baroque era in order to shed light on concepts of sound structure that apparently guided the design and construction of certain types of organs. For a better understanding of empirical measurements presented in Parts 4 and 5 of this study, Part 2 provides some basic organology. In Part 3, the development from the so-called ‘Blockwerk’ to organs comprising several wind chests, manuals, and various types of pipes and stops is outlined. In part 5, relations of sound structure to tunings and temperaments are discussed, including actual measurements.