Piotr Grabowski Sample Sets for GrandOrgue
Piotr Grabowski is one of the most prolific creators of free virtual organ sample sets. Several of his instruments — Friesach, Święta Lipka, Nitra, Goch, Ermelo, and Duren among them — are available for GrandOrgue at no cost. Here is what is free, what is donation-supported, and which sets need Hauptwerk instead.
Some sample set producers charge hundreds of euros per organ. Piotr Grabowski, a Polish organist and recording engineer, has taken the opposite path: he samples fine European organs, edits the recordings himself, and gives most of them away for free. If you play GrandOrgue, his catalogue is the single biggest source of free instruments — but not every organ he offers has a GrandOrgue version, so this page sorts that out.
GrandOrgue Versions: The Free List
The following organs by Piotr Grabowski are available in GrandOrgue format, free of charge:
- Friesach — the 44-stop Eisenbarth symphonic organ (St. Bartholomäus, Austria). Our full guide: Friesach for GrandOrgue.
- Święta Lipka — the famous Polish pilgrimage church organ, a baroque-leaning instrument with real character.
- Nitra — a Slovakian organ with a clear, singing principal chorus.
- Goch — a German parish organ, versatile for hymn playing and classical repertoire.
- Ermelo — a Dutch instrument with the transparent voicing the Netherlands is known for.
- Duren — another German organ, solid all-round material for practice.
Which Sets Are Hauptwerk-Only?
Piotr Grabowski also produces sample sets exclusively for Hauptwerk. His catalogue grows over time, and the format of any given organ can change. The honest rule: check the provider’s page (piotrgrabowski.pl) for the organ you want — it clearly marks which formats each set ships in. Do not assume a newly announced organ has a GrandOrgue version until the producer says so.
The Donation Model, Explained
Most of Piotr Grabowski’s sample sets are free to download and play. The project runs on donations: if an organ becomes part of your daily practice, sending the producer a contribution is how free instruments keep coming. Think of it as paying the tuner, not buying the organ.
How to Get Them
- Go to piotrgrabowski.pl and browse the sample set list.
- Confirm the organ you want lists a GrandOrgue version (usually a .orgue single file or an .organ package).
- Download, then open the file in GrandOrgue via File → Open.
- Browse our sample set library for more free instruments, or the best free sets ranked if you want guidance on what to try first.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are Piotr Grabowski’s sample sets really free?
Most of them, yes — including the GrandOrgue versions listed above. Donations are welcomed and keep the project alive.
Which Piotr Grabowski organs work in GrandOrgue?
Friesach, Święta Lipka, Nitra, Goch, Ermelo, and Duren are the established GrandOrgue versions. Anything else: check the provider’s page before downloading.
How do the free sets compare to commercial ones?
Honestly, very well for practice and even performance. Commercial sets sometimes offer more release detail or surround perspectives, but Grabowski’s organs are complete, musical instruments — not demos.
Can I use these organs commercially, e.g. in recordings?
That depends on the license attached to each set. Read the license text that comes with your download; when in doubt, ask the producer.