Historic pipe organs often have significant cultural and historical value and therefore require careful and impartial attention from experts of different profiles. Organ owners, makers, and restorers alike have much to gain from consulting and exchanging opinions with certified organologists. They know about the development of organs over time and of the historical and artistic context, which enables them to assess the significance and value of a particular instrument and to make reasoned decisions on the way forward. This ensures that historic organs are preserved as far as possible and that the knowledge and skills of organ builders of the past are respected.
As a complex musical instrument, the organ requires expertise in its construction, materials, and mechanisms, as well as a sense of style and aesthetics. Unprofessional opinions and a lack of training and willingness to engage with experts from different professions typically lead to inappropriate and often time-consuming or more costly decisions.
At Organistica, certified pipe organ experts help clients ask the right questions and find the right answers when assessing how to deal with an old organ in a given situation. Both organ owners and organ builders facing the challenges of intervening in an old organ can count on our expertise. Whether it is an individual consultation or a long-term collaboration in an organ committee, our recommendations bring a range of benefits, but above all, they reduce important risks, e.g. new damage, poor functionality, deterioration of the sound, additional financial costs, and, ultimately, the loss of the historical value of the instrument.
It is never too late, even if a project is already underway or if it is not achieving the desired results – with an impartial and professional view, we point out potential problems and help clients to make objective decisions that save time and money.