AGO Organ History & Instrument Design

Question 1

Who is credited with inventing the hydraulis, considered the earliest ancestor of the modern pipe organ?

Accepted Answer

Ctesibius of Alexandria

Answer

Aristotle

Answer

Pythagoras

Answer

Hero of Alexandria

Question 2

Arp Schnitger (1648–1719) is particularly celebrated for building organs in which region?

Accepted Answer

Northern Germany and the Netherlands

Answer

Central France

Answer

Southern England

Answer

Northern Italy

Question 3

Gottfried Silbermann (1683–1753) was a renowned German organ builder whose instruments are most closely associated with which composer?

Accepted Answer

Johann Sebastian Bach

Answer

George Frideric Handel

Answer

Dietrich Buxtehude

Answer

Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck

Question 4

The Rückpositiv division in a classical German Baroque organ refers to:

Accepted Answer

A small organ case positioned behind the organist at gallery-railing level

Answer

A small organ placed above the main case at ceiling level

Answer

The main Great division enclosed in a swell box

Answer

A pedal division located at the rear of the church nave

Question 5

The 'Werkprinzip' philosophy of organ design emphasizes which of the following?

Accepted Answer

Visual and acoustic separation of each division in its own distinct case section

Answer

A unified, blended tonal ideal with all divisions sharing one wind chest

Answer

The primacy of the Swell division over all other divisions

Answer

Electric action for precise mechanical reliability

Question 6

The Orgelbewegung (Organ Reform Movement) of the early 20th century sought primarily to revive:

Accepted Answer

Baroque tracker-action organ building principles and tonal clarity

Answer

The symphonic, orchestral tonal ideal of the 19th century

Answer

Theater organ styles featuring tremolo and percussion effects

Answer

Electronic organ technology as an alternative to pipe organs

Question 7

Which type of key action connects the organist's keys directly to the pipe valves through a purely mechanical system of rods, levers, and rollers?

Accepted Answer

Tracker action

Answer

Electro-pneumatic action

Answer

Pitman chest action

Answer

Tubular pneumatic action