Vargonų meistrai Lietuvos Didžiojoje Kunigaikštystėje
Makers of organ instruments of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania

Summary/Abstract: Although the issue of the makers of organ instruments of the Grand Duchy of Lithuania (GDL) was not separately covered in literature, their surnames are quite frequent there. The article aims to collect all the makers of organ instruments mentioned both in historiography and in historical sources. The surnames and brief descriptions of their lives and activity are provided at the end of the article (item 51). The article endeavours to indicate and highlight the issues supported by historical examples important for investigations, rather than generalize the information recorded by historical sources. Attention is drawn to the proliferation of organ instruments and organists as far back as the 16th century in GDL as well as the samples to show the sizes of organ instruments recorded in the 17th century. The separation of a maker of organ instruments from an organist dates back to the 16th century. The prices mentioned in historical sources of the 17-18th centuries and a great variety thereof, depending on the size and quality of an organ instrument, is a separate point in this article. Description of the makers of organ instruments of Vilnius also falls under a separate point, and a group of three Lutheran families (Zelle, Scheel and Jantzon) predominant not only in Vilnius is distinguished. The issues raised in the article can be expedient for further investigation both into the history of organ instruments and musical culture of GDL.

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