Gebrüder Stockmann

Gebrüder Stockmann is a German organ-building company based in Werl, North Rhine-Westphalia. It was founded in 1889 by brothers Bernhard Stockmann (1856–1955) and Theodor Stockmann (1861–1934), who came from Einen near Warendorf in the Münsterland region. Bernhard had trained as a sculptor and gained experience in southern Germany, Italy, and France before learning organ building in Switzerland; Theodor was a skilled cabinetmaker. They established their workshop at Schützenstraße 6 in Werl, where the firm is still located today. The company was entered in the commercial register on 20 May 1901. The firm's first instrument, Opus I, was built for the parish church in Voßwinkel, followed by many new organs throughout the Diocese of Paderborn. By 1964, the company had built 260 organs, and by 1988 the 512th organ left the workshop. Notable instruments include the organ of St. Cornelius in Dülken, the largest organ in the Diocese of Aachen, with 65 registers (66 after renovation in 2006). In 2010 and 2011, two organs were built for churches in Norway. Gebrüder Stockmann remains a family business. After the deaths of the founders, Theodor's children—Bernhard, Heinrich, and Rudolf Stockmann—continued the firm. Rudolf led the workshop alone until his death in 1990. Today, management is held by Ruth Stockmann and Petra Stockmann-Becker. The company is a member of the Bund Deutscher Orgelbaumeister (Association of German Organ Builders).

Gebrüder Stockmann was founded in 1889 in Werl, Westphalia, by brothers Bernhard and Theodor Stockmann. Bernhard Stockmann (born 2 July 1856 in Einen; died 2 March 1955) came from a teacher's family in the Münsterland. He learned the sculptor's craft and gained experience in southern Germany, Italy, and France. In Switzerland, he learned organ building and served that goal for twelve years. On his return to Westphalia, he decided to establish his own organ-building workshop in Werl, knowing that his younger brother Theodor, a well-known art cabinetmaker in the Münsterland, would support him. Theodor Stockmann (born 1861 in Einen; died 1934) had trained as a carpenter and was a Kunsttischler (art cabinetmaker). The brothers founded the company at Schützenstraße 6 in Werl, where it is still located. The firm was entered in the commercial register on 20 May 1901. The first organ, Opus I, was built for the parish church in Voßwinkel in the year of founding. Many new organs followed throughout the Diocese of Paderborn. Many instruments from the first three decades have returned to the company in recent years for thorough restoration so they can sound in churches for another hundred years. After Theodor Stockmann's death in 1934, his children took over the business. Bernhard Stockmann, unmarried, died in 1955 at the age of 98. The company was then continued by Theodor's children: Bernhard, Heinrich, and Rudolf Stockmann (born 1914; died 16 February 1990). In the following years, the number of employees increased and the workshop was enlarged. From founding until 1964, the company had built 260 organs. In 1968, Bernhard Stockmann died and Heinrich Stockmann retired. Master organ builder Rudolf Stockmann led the workshop alone until his death in 1990. The family business is a member of the Bund Deutscher Orgelbaumeister. Management is held by Ruth Stockmann and Petra Stockmann-Becker. By 1964, 260 organs had been built, including the organ of St. Cornelius in Dülken, the largest organ in the Diocese of Aachen, with 65 registers on four manuals and pedal; after renovation in 2006 it has 66 registers. This organ gained supra-regional fame as important artists such as Käte van Tricht, Peter Planyavsky, Wolfgang Seifen, Kamiel D'Hooghe, Eberhard Lauer, and Johannes Matthias Michel played on it since the 1980s. Some organ concerts were broadcast by WDR. In 1988, the 512th organ left the Stockmann workshop. In 2010 and 2011, two organs were built for churches in Norway.

• 2011

  Second organ built for a church in Norway.

• 2010

  Organ built for a church in Norway.

• 2006

  Renovation of the St. Cornelius organ in Dülken; now 66 registers.

• 1990

  Rudolf Stockmann dies; workshop continues under family management.

• 1988

  512th organ leaves the workshop.

• 1968

  Bernhard Stockmann dies; Heinrich Stockmann retires.

• 1964

  260 organs built since founding.

• 1955

  Death of Bernhard Stockmann at age 98.

• 1934

  Death of Theodor Stockmann; his children take over the business.

• 1901

  Company entered in the commercial register on 20 May.

• 1889

  Company founded by Bernhard and Theodor Stockmann in Werl.

• 1889

  First organ (Opus I) built for the parish church in Voßwinkel.

Traditional family-run organ-building workshop specializing in church organs, with a focus on craftsmanship and restoration.

• 1889

  Opus I organ for Voßwinkel parish church

• St. Cornelius organ in Dülken (65 registers, later 66)

• 1988

  512th organ

• 2010

  Organs for churches in Norway

1. 1Stockmann Orgelbau_chronikstockmann-orgelbau.de
2. 2Gebrüder Stockmann – Wikipediade.wikipedia.org
3. 3Gebrüder Stockmann – Wikidatawikidata.org