I really don't like pipe organs

[Fantine]

I think it's difficult to play a pipe organ well.

One reason is because air travels at different speeds through pipes of different pitches.

This can take some adjustment. One should never play anything shorter than a whole note on the pedal keys, I don't think.

But when a real virtuoso plays the pipes, it's a pleasure to listen to.

 

[ProCommunioneFacior]

I read a very interesting article in my Sacred Music Journal(which you too can have for joining the CMAA) and there was an awesome article in there about the Historic Baroque organs in Oaxaca, Mexico.

They said in this article that at one time there was a pipe organ in every church and mission in Oaxaca, an estimated 1,000 in the state of Oaxaca, and that these organs played a big part in converting the Aztecs.

Anyways, over the years they went into disuse because of a lack of money, the socialist persecution of the Catholic Church in the 1900's, and lastly because of the liturgical chaos of the last 40 years.

In 1991, there were only 68 organs left, of which none of them worked. Now there are 7 organs restored and are now playing again in the parishes, and there is hope to restore the majority of the other 68, and the Bishop of Oaxaca is now supportive of this being done (was not the case with the previous Bishop). Anyways, a very interesting article!