Pipe organ database and physical resources around Swiss organ culture

In 2007, the Organ Documentation Centre (ODZ) at the HSLU was established as a unique competence centre that documents, and conducts research into, Swiss organ culture. Across two decades, the ODZ realised a wide range of projects including the creation of organ inventories and issued various publications. 

Thanks to his extensive expertise and national and international networks, head of the ODZ Marco Brandazza played a leading role in the centre’s endeavours. He retired at the end of September 2025. Other crucial contributors to the ODZ’s successes include organ building and church-based partner institutions, contributing municipalities and cantons, funders of research, foundations and donors as well as many private individuals with an interest in the subject. 
 
It is essential that the resources of the Organ Documentation Centre remain accessible. Organ building professionals, heritage preservation experts and researchers alike will have continued access to the Centre’s extensive collection and its contributors’ great efforts. Due to a lack of funding, there will be no new or additional inventorying projects and publications in the framework of the ODZ’s activities for the foreseeable future. However, the HSLU will ensure the Pipe Organ Database as well as the organ archives and bequests accessible through the Music Library’s special collection remain available for consultation. Research Associate Eva Brandazza manages the pipe organ database. You can contact her any time with queries or relevant information.

Grosse Orgel ODZ

Pipe organ database

The Organ Documentation Centre’s pipe organ database compiles historical information and technical data about Swiss organs and their builders. The database acts as a showcase for the ODC’s projects. The technical data and the history of the featured instruments have been reviewed and verified. Currently, the database provides information about organs in the cantons of Lucerne, Nidwalden, Obwalden, Schwyz, Solothurn, Ticino, Uri and Zug.

Projects

In addition to maintaining its inventory and database of organs in the Canton of Lucerne, the Organ Documentation Centre (ODZ) conducted various projects including its studies of the Welte-Philharmonie organ built in Meggenhorn Castle (Canton of Lucerne) in 1926 as well as compiling a history of the Bossart organ builder family from Baar (Canton of Zug) and of the organs in the community of Lachen (Canton of Schwyz).

Publications

The activities of the ODZ were documented and summarised in a range of publications. You can find a full list of these publications on Eva Brandazza’s profile on the HSLU website.

Orgel Neubau Hochschule Luzern - Musik

Special collection

The numerous object donations that have been made to the ODZ over the years and other pieces can be consulted in the special collection of the Lucerne University of Applied Sciences and Arts.