Pipe organs and very hot weather are generally a combination that can sometimes lead to problems. Usually these are temporary as the hot air changes the pitch of flue pipes while the reed pitch is not significantly affected by temperature. So, heat often leads to an uncomfortable out of tune situation that eventually repairs itself.
Occasionally the issues can be more serious as was the case at Brecon Cathedral last week. The organ failed to play, and a visit from the pipe organ builder could not generate a quick fix.
We were approached on the Monday with a need for an instrument the following Friday, and as luck would have it our Gloucester Cathedral hire was scheduled for removal, so we could take the instrument on to Brecon at double quick speed.
[H3] A familiar building and a tight deadline
Some years before, I had visited the Cathedral with my friend David Gwesyn-Smith. In fact, we had done a three-day Welsh organ crawl visiting a number of interesting instruments. The trips are described in the blogs listed below.
Welsh Church Organ Pilgrimage: Part One
Welsh Church Organ Pilgrimage: Part Two
Welsh Church Organ Pilgrimage: Part Three (Brecon Cathedral included)
Consequently, I was familiar with the building and was confident that we would have a reasonable solution – even though the time to arrange things was very limited.
[H3] Installing the temporary instrument
The pipe organ console is in the north transept. Our temporary instrument, an Envoy 350-FV in light oak with 3-manuals, was placed in the south transept, with cables running up to the pipe case where we were able to place a small speaker resource out of sight. Placing speakers well above floor level and invisible can often be a challenge, but on this occasion things worked well.
The booking is just for a week, but in my experience a week, unfortunately, turns into months. Pipe organ repairs always require specialist technical staff and materials. Materials that are seldom sitting in stock just waiting for a job, so we normally find our instrument remains in use far longer than anyone first expects.
Fingers crossed for Brecon they manage to get a quick fix for their pipe organ.
I have had a passion for church organs since the tender age of 12. I own and run Viscount Organs with a close attention to the detail that musicians appreciate; and a clear understanding of the benefits of digital technology and keeping to the traditional and emotional elements of organ playing.
Leave a Reply