From the History of St. Nicholas’ Church in Nowy Waliszów in Kłodzko County

Abstract

The beginnings of musical culture in Nowy Waliszów are connected with the local St. Nicholas’ church. As early as 1699 it was equipped with a seven-piped positive organ. The present organ was built in 1912 by the company Schlag & Söhne from Świdnica. The instrument is a multiplex organ with pneumatic register and key action, with 15 stops including nine real stops. The small parish had a vocal and instrumental ensemble which not only enriched the liturgy, but also organized concerts. In 1930 it counted 31 choristers and 16 instrumentalists. The ensemble was conducted by the local teachers, who at the same time worked as organists at the local church. The 1939 musical inventory provides valuable information about the choir’s repertoire, which includes, among others, 69 masses, 28 collections of graduals, 21 collections of offertories, 15 collections of hymns, 14 litanies as well as a considerable number of church songs. Judging by this inventory it can be established that with regard to the choice of works as well as to the performance of that repertoire, it not only equals, but frequently exceeds the level of musical practice cultivated in other village churches in Kłodzko County.