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    Frederik Magle
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Zen and the art of organ building

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
Indeed ... very good illustrations of what it takes to build a pipe organ. Gives one lots more appreciation for it when they sit at the console and play.
 

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
If I wasn't a) over 40 and b) a total clutz when it comes to things woodwork related ... I'd love to have a career change and become and organ builder's floor cleaner.
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
I quite agree, CT ... I have lots of respect for these builders. Even with some modern methods of building that some use these days, the art remains the same and must be a labor of love and appreciation for the final product.

I also would love to work for an organ builder ... but my extreme fear of heights, portly size, and being 6'4" tall, would hamper this from happening. I would be quite happy just being the key holder when those magnificent instruments receive their first breath of wind.
 

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
Kh ... LOL - I'm 6'1 and about 100 kilos, also have a fear of heights (though not extreme) and my fingers are a little chubby, not good for fine work.
 

NEB

New member
I'd be absolutely fascinated to even sweep up and make tea in an organ builder. It's something pretty unique creating these instruments with such a life to look forward to.
 

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
Funnily enough - the Sydney Town Hall organ's insides come complete with workbenches and a kitchen sink, complete with kettle and cups.
 

Soubasse

New member
I did work experience with an organ builder before I left school as I was seriously thinking more about building them professionally than playing them professionally, the latter of which being what I eventually ended up doing. However, the number of times of late that I have had the occasion to wander around the insides of an instrument and perform some minor maintenance, I too have started to wonder if a career change may be in order. That said, there's really not as much call for it down here these days ...:cry:

Nice vids CT thanks for posting. I will now go home and watch my video of the re-building of the Notre-Dame organ:grin:
 

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
Did you know that the Opera House pipe organ (in the Concert Hall) is "supposed" to be the world's largest mechanical action beast? Sadly, it's rarely used. Sydney Symphony hardly programs works including organ. I remember hearing the Saint Seans once and being dissapointed in it ... the orchestra drowned all but the 32' pedals tones out.

Unlike the time I heard them in the Sydney Town Hall and the organ there had NO problem drowing the orchestra out.
 

methodistgirl

New member
If I wasn't a) over 40 and b) a total clutz when it comes to things woodwork related ... I'd love to have a career change and become and organ builder's floor cleaner.

Can I add to that for myself? I'm would also be kinda dumb founded on
some of the work. I wouldn't be able to figure out where a circut went.
Building the box for the console would be easy but what goes on the box
would be a real challenge with the computer chips, stops,manuals, and
the button controls as well as the right foot pedals for the sound and
foot stops. I would have a hard time at it mentally.
judy tooley
 

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Hello NEB,

Methinks its a typo gremlin - the kind that creep in when little diligence has been given to proofreading.

Humbly,

Corno Dolce
 

NEB

New member
Methinks you could be right Corno Dolce...

I shall duly slot in beside you and go with your take on event s there...
 

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
16' Posaune in der Brustwerk??? Das gehts nicht. Aber im Pedal...

Yeah Corno - you're right - really odd indeed. I can't believe that's not a mistake...

I agree with both of you. Looking at the specs, there are a number of stops out of position order in that listing ... and then the only reed in the Brustwerk is at 16'? That is really odd - I've never seen that before, either.
 

dombedos

New member
I'm lucky man.. due to our Dom Bedos organ works, I stay many times as guest on Mr. Formentelli Italian Organ Buillder factory
It was a exciting experience, due to wine qualiy (Valpolicella's sites...near Verona, North Italy) and due to excellent working level.. unbelievable! see http://www.organosandomenicorieti.it ...search for visit
Sorry for english site version, is incomplete..
 
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