Historic mechanical organs at risk of electrocution and extension

[David Pinnegar]

Hi!

I heard recently of a mid Victorian mechanical tracker instrument apparently of some charm which is under threat from recommendations by a Diocesan Organ Adviser by way of replacing the tracker action with electric action and extension applications.

As a former member of BIOS the thought of this makes me shudder, also wondering what a DOA is doing in recommending such a course of action to an instrument which many musicians for nearly a century and a half have considered good enough to remain the same.

However, on the other side of the coin, I wonder what in that context we might say about the Hill Norman and Beard in Tunbridge Wells at Vale Royal Methodist Church which received a similar treatment in the 1960s and is one of the most comprehensive small organs one can conceive of and is sufficiently desirable for it to be bought by a church in Malta.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=REkdffiI60c. It was electropneumaticised and an extra Diapason given, providing a 3rd Diapason and a Principal by extension and an en Chamade Trumpet and mixture operating at different pitches. A tour of the instrument is on http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qUFWWOgSbbU

Can we say that the original unextended HN&B was of lower historic interest and therefore less sacrosanct in terms of preservation, providing an open ticket to alteration for best function? The result in this case has been a very interesting and desirable instrument.

Best wishes

David P