Flute organ
Historical term for a small organ (positive) containing only flute stops (flue pipes).
What it means
Flötenwerk (flute organ) is a historical term for a small organ, a positive, that contained only flute stops. This means flue pipes, that is, pipes in which the tone arises at an edge as in a flute, not through tongues or reeds.
Musical use
Since the flute organ was limited to flute stops, it sounded soft, calm, and not very penetrating. Such small instruments suited the home, the chamber, and small churches and accompanied singing or instrumental ensembles. The term is used in sources of the Renaissance and Baroque and is today of interest mainly historically.
The flute organ should be distinguished from a complete organ with principals, mixtures, and reed stops, whose sound is mightier and sharper, and from the flute as a stop of a large organ. A flute organ is the whole instrument, not just a single stop.
Performance practice
When you play an instrument with pure flute stops, choose light tempos and soft articulation, since fast, sharp figures quickly seem restless with this sound. Use the stops for accompaniment or continuo playing, where their calm tone does not drown the singing voice or solo instruments.