Documenting the Milavec Pipe Organ in the Ljubljana Cathedral

On May 5, 2021, discussions were revived regarding the restoration of the Milavec organ in Ljubljana Cathedral. On this occasion, we carried out a detailed inspection of the instrument and produced documentation on its specifications and condition. The information obtained was presented to the organ restoration committee on May 26, 2021.

The organ restoration committee, composed of the cathedral’s parish priest Roman Starc, cathedral organist Gregor Klančič, Tomaž Sevšek Šramel, Dalibor Miklavčič, Brane Košir, Aleš Razpotnik and Luka Posavec, concluded that the condition of the instrument was serious and that a well-considered restoration was necessary. This responsible approach was all the more important because the cathedral organ is, so to speak, untouched sound-technical gem of the Slovenian late Romantic period, also important for the wider European public.

The organ restoration committee is inspecting the instrument
Photo: Organistica

Being aware of the extension, responsibility and importance of self-criticism when planning the restoration of a historic instrument such as Milavec’s cathedral organ, we decided to first document the organ in detail, following the example of the Göteborg Organ Art Centre (GOArt) successful projects.

After two months of preparation, we initiated the first phase of documentation in July 2021, which continued until mid-September. The second phase of documentation started in August 2022 and was completed at the end of September.

The documentation included, among other things, detailed photographs of the instrument and its components, measurements of pipe scale, wind supply, windchests, console, organ cases, and sound recording. Sensors were installed to monitor the temperature and humidity of the space. Additionally, we introduced an organ diary in which we recorded identified instrument defects.

One of the most important methods we developed in the project of documenting were the non-invasive measurement techniques that do not affect the instrument in any way. By documenting the current state of the instrument, we have thus provided an objective basis for further research.

What we achieved

By documenting the Milavec organ, we were able to achieve two main goals, namely:

  • to develop a documenting policy and methodology for historical organs in Slovenia; and
  • to obtain and collect data or information on the organ in one place, that can serve as a basis for future comparative studies of the construction and building techniques of the organ.

Our important goal was to create a documenting procedure that would allow organ builders and organologists to study and eventually reconstruct the instrument directly from the documentation. In addition, several aspects of the protection of cultural heritage have been consistently taken into account.

The historic instrument must be protected from potential unprofessional interventions and less careful repairs. The documentation is therefore also intended to help design a professional programme for the protection and maintenance of the instrument and should help prevent damage caused by careless interventions as far as possible.

The Ljubljana Cathedral organ is of great historical and cultural importance (Ivan Milavec, Op. 26, 1911)
Photo: Branko Petauer

The results of our work have been published in a comprehensive report. This is the first detailed documentation of an important historical organ in Slovenia, such as the organ by Ivan Milavec (Op. 26, 1911) in the Cathedral of St. Nicholas in Ljubljana.

Detailed documentation of the Ljubljana Cathedral organ (Ivan Milavec, Op. 26, 1911)
Photo: Organistica

Organ disposition

  • The organ restoration committee meeting, the Ljubljana Cathedral
    Photo: Organistica

  • Making measurements on the organ, the Ljubljana Cathedral (Ivan Milavec, Op. 26, 1911)
    Photo: Organistica

  • Detailed organ photography, the Ljubljana Cathedral (Ivan Milavec, Op. 26, 1911)
    Photo: Organistica

  • Making measurements in a dusty environment, the Ljubljana Cathedral (Ivan Milavec, Op. 26, 1911)
    Photo: Organistica

  • Making measurements on the organ, the Ljubljana Cathedral (Ivan Milavec, Op. 26, 1911)
    Photo: Organistica

  • Handover the organ documentation to the Ljubljana Cathedral
    Photo: Organistica

Associates

Ljubljana Cathedral of St. Nicholas

Gregor Klančič, cathedral organist

Tomaž Sevšek Šramel, organist and harpsichordist

Dalibor Miklavčič, organist

Brane Košir, organ builder