The Casino
Organ
1971
The old Casino organ from the music hall of the Stadtcasino Basel was built in 1971 by Orgelbau Genf and was a gift from Paul Sacher. He designed the organ according to his wishes, primarily for his chamber orchestra. As a result, it was mainly intended as an accompanying instrument and no longer met the modern requirements for a concert organ in the fully renovated music hall.
Nevertheless, it was still a good instrument. It had to be removed from the music hall to make space for the renovation work on the hall.
The organ was stored in a warehouse of the company Henschen in Muttenz, where it remained for two years. The Casino Society covered the storage costs until the end of June 2019.
The next step was to find a place where this organ could one day sound again. After two refusals from Eastern European countries, Jacqueline Albrecht-Iselin, the donor, contacted Gunta Abele, who facilitated the transfer to Daugavpils.
Daugavpils Martin Luther Cathedral
2019
Designed by V. Neimanis, Daugavpils Martin Luther Cathedral was consecrated on October 31, 1893, coinciding with the anniversary of the Reformation, with its foundation stone laid in 1891.
In 1941, a devastating fire broke out, destroying much of the church. Partial restoration took place between 1941 and 1943. However, after World War II, the parish was only allowed to use the former chapel space. In 1975, local authorities confiscated the chapel, and during the Soviet era, the church was repurposed as both a warehouse and a boxing club. Another major fire in 1985 caused severe damage to the building.
The parish regained ownership of the church in 1992 and gradually began restoration efforts. Inside the church, there is a soleas and an altar, designed by Maija Avota and crafted by students from the Ogre Craft Secondary School.
Architecturally, the cathedral is built in the Neo-Gothic style, featuring an asymmetrical layout and a single tower. The structure is made of red brick, which adds to its distinctive historical character.
Upcoming events
Charity concert in Basel
20.09.2025.
17.00
Music by Hans Huber, Pēteris Vasks, as well as Swiss and Latvian folk songs.
Featuring Liedertafel Basel, Ensemble Liberté, conductor Maija Gschwind, singer Dārta Paldiņa, violinist Jana Ozoliņa, cellist Gunta Ābele.
"Let's Install the Largest Organ in Latgale?" – a Charity Concert
Luther Cathedral
04.10.2025.
16.00
The Männerstimmen Basel with conductor David Rossel and organist Aigars Reinis.
The program featuring compositions by Felix Mendelssohn, Erik Esenvalds, Erik Wittekers, and Sven Helbig.
20 000 EUR of 200 000 gathered!
Organs do not come in cheap. While a significant sum has already been covered by The Casino Society, we are seeking a total estimate of 200 000 additional euros to ensure proper installation.
Foundation
research
in progress
18 000 / 18 000 EUR
A checkup to ensure the cathedral’s foundation could support the organ’s weight.
Balcony
reinforcement
raising funds
2 000 / 22 000 EUR
Reinforcement to handle the organ’s components and ensure safety and stability.
Organ
installation
raising funds
0 / 160 000 EUR
A careful and complex process to integrate the organ into the cathedral.
Patronage commitee
Jacqueline Albrecht-Iselin
Born in 1946 in Basel, Switzerland. I lived in Basel and attended schools in Basel and Zurich, where I graduated from interpreting school with a degree in translation. This was followed by two years in the USA, where I gained professional experience.
Back in Basel, my three children were born, and many years later, my only granddaughter.
Music has accompanied me my entire life. As a young adult, I enthusiastically attended piano lessons. As a child, I once gave a solo performance of a “piano concerto for four hands”: I played with my hands and feet! Later, the flute replaced the piano, and I continue to play chamber music in various ensembles to this day.
I have long been involved in volunteer work, for example, with the GGG and the Stadtcasino Basel. I supported Zaha Hadid’s project and took over fundraising for the New Stadtcasino Basel by Herzog and de Meuron. This is how I came to look after the old and new organs.
Pēteris Vasks
A Latvian composer known and internationally acclaimed for exploring themes of nature and spirituality in his emotive music.
Embassy of Switzerland in Latvia
The Embassy of Switzerland in Riga, Latvia is the competent representation for diplomatic relations between Switzerland and Latvia, Estonia and Lithuania.
Team
The journey of the Old Casino Organ would be impossible without the efforts of the team.
Geza Teleki
Axel Scherrer
Lukas Loss
Gunta Ābele
Armands Siliņš-Bergmanis
Ilze Siliņa-Bergmane
Andis Lenšs
Become our member
We invite everyone interested to support our organisation, its mission and activities to become members. Annual members fee starts from 20 EUR/year. Send us an email titled “Membership”, including a few sentences about yourself and your contact information.
Not ready to become a member but looking for ways to support us? Check the donation section below or write us with your proposal, idea or option to volunteer your time!
Donate now
Support our cause to eternalize the sound of the Old Casino Organ, and be a part of this story!
Please state “Ziedojums / Donation” in payment details!
“Mūžīgā skaņa” is an NGO and the donation is eligible for tax return.
IBAN
LV96HABA0551059707609
BANK
SWEDBANK AS
BIC/SWIFT
HABALV22
RECIPIENT
Biedrība Mūžīgā skaņa
REG. NO.
40008342039
ADDRESS
Latgales iela 163, dz.3
Riga, LV-1003
IBAN
CH530077025565679200 1
BANK
Basler Kantonalbank
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BKBBCHBBXXX
EMPFÄNGER
Förderverein Orgel für Dünaburg
REG. NR.
40008342039
ADRESSE