Jacob Friis-Grigoncza is a trained organist, organ builder, and geologist. He completed his organ builder training at P.G. Andersen and Bruhn & Søn orgelbyggeri and graduated as an organist from Sjællands Kirkemusikskole. He also holds a Master of Science in Geology from the University of Copenhagen.
Jacob serves as an organist at Brydebjerg-Krumsø pastorate and works as an organ tuner for numerous church organs with Frobenius Orgelbyggeri. Additionally, he is involved in research at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU), Department of Civil and Mechanical Engineering.
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Panna Friis-Grigoncza is a trained pianist, organist, conductor, and engineer with over 30 years of experience as a cantor and organist in Hungary and Denmark. She grew up and received her music education in Budapest, Hungary, while also earning a degree in civil engineering from Óbuda University. Panna later served as an associate professor at Moholy-Nagy University of Art and Design.
In 1994, she was appointed as cantor and organist in Budapest, where she also ran a pianist and concert organizer business. After moving to Denmark in 2005, Panna worked as an organist and choir director in the Lolland Østre Provostry while continuing her studies at Sjællands Kirkemusikskole. She later pursued additional organ studies under Yuzuru Hiranaka.
In 2010, Panna became an organist and choir leader in Holbæk Provostry and, since 2017, has held the same position in Lolland Østre Provostry. She is currently employed at the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) and serves as the artistic director of Nysted Organ Museum.
Jacob designed the facade, inspired by old pictures.
In 2018, the Friis-Grigoncza organist couple sold their home in Hvidovre, where they had housed the Lillebrænde organ, the Erik Nielsen living room organ, and five other keyboard instruments. They moved to Adelgade 30 in Nysted and began renovating the property, which had been vacant for a few years before they purchased it. The site also includes a beautiful garden with large, old trees bordering Rørsøen lake.
During the process, they decided to transform the large ground floor space, previously a shop, to exhibit the instruments. This became home to several historic and valuable organs, including one from Nivå Church with one manual and five stops, as well as the Lyngå organ, which also has five stops.
By May 31, 2019, the new facade was completed after a year of extensive work. The renovations included replacing the entire roof structure, installing 20 new windows (with additional openings facing the lake Rørsøen) and upgrading electrical systems and lighting.
Guldborgsund Municipality has supported the building project with 20% of the costs.
The contractor, carpenter, and bricklaying work was carried out by Tømrer- & Snedkermester Bjarne Rasmussen Aps.
While the house was being renovated, Jacob focused on building the organs, while Panna managed marketing, developed a website, organized the first summer concerts, gave presentations, and taught children how to play the organ. Rosa Sylvest, a 4th grader from Døllefjelde, became the first student and has been learning the organ since September 2018. One of the earliest visiting groups was the Danish Organ Society, who came in May 2019.
Establishment of the Nysted Organ Museum Friends Association on June 5, 2019 Founding board members:
Panna og Jacob Friis-Grigoncza, Susanne Winther-Nielsen, Virág Muladi-Szabó, Inge-Lise Tranberg, Flemming Henriksen,
The association's purpose is to support the work of the organ museum. Click here to read about the association
On Saturday, June 15, 2019, at 11 a.m., the doors of Nysted Organ Museum were opened for the first time during the Bæltkunst Festival. The opening concert attracted an audience of 150 people, featuring performances on five of the many organs Throughout the summer of 2019, the museum hosted several concerts. See more under EVENTS.
At the opening concert on Saturday, June 15, 2019. The opening speech was given by Simon Hansen, chairman of the Children, Family, and Education Committee of Guldborgsund Municipality
Maren Wassermann, organist in Femern Burg, played on the the opening concert.
Panna Ildikó Friis-Grigoncza, organist in Nysted-Vantore parish and Jacob Friis-Grigoncza, organist at Brydebjerg-Krumsø pastorate playing at the opening concert.
Andre Palsgård generously donated seven organs to the Nysted Organ Museum: the Krummerup Organ, Mesing Organ, Løsning Organ, Karstrup Organ, Vile Organ, Varpelev Organ, and Venø Organ. Our heartfelt thanks go to Andre, not only for his donations but also for his assistance moving the instruments and sharing invaluable information about them. Learn more about the instruments.
Our predecessor, Andre Palsgård, housed his organ collection in St. Andreas Church in Copenhagen from 2002 until it was closed in 2015. For more details, visit: www.orgelsamling.dk.
Born in 1944, Andre Palsgård was a general practitioner from 1975 to 2011 and became a passionate organ rescuer in 1982. He served as the contact person for the "Veteranorgel-klubben" from 1988 and founded and led the Organ Collection at St. Andreas Church, Gothersgade, Copenhagen, from 1998 to 2015. André also authored books on organ history and organ sheet music, which are available for download on www.orgelsamling.dk.
André Palsgård's deep passion for organs drove him to take care of small, old, discarded church organs that no one else wanted, and repaired them himself. He repaired the organs at home in the carport and was responsible for the organ collection at St. Andreas Church in Copenhagen. This collection became a sanctuary for historic instruments, preserving their legacy for future generations.
The first property on this plot was registered in 1729, with Abraham From listed as the owner.
The current building, visible on the first photograph on the left side of the road, was constructed in stages. The section extending toward Adelgade 28 was partly built during 1876–1882 and housed the town’s pharmacy from 1834 to 1941. The part extending toward Adelgade 32 was added around 1900. This two-story structure featured a distinctive gable facing the street, crowned with a small spire.
The second photograph shows the same building. Between 1941 and 1967, the property was owned by merchant Carl C. Olsen, who operated a factory. In 1941, he extensively remodeled the building, merging the two sections into one cohesive structure with two floors along its full length and a shared modern facade, as seen in the photo. This facade existed until we purchased the property. However, the large glass storefront was a stark contrast to the surrounding streetscape.
Elin and Jens Erik Larsen acquired the house in 1967 and moved in by 1969. They operated a business selling women’s clothing, curtains, bedding, yarn, and more. They also owned Adelgade 28 A, B, C, D, and 25, where they sold furniture and carpets.
From 2006 to 2014, Adelgade 30 served as the church's thrift shop.
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