This morning I was playing at Ilminster Parish Church and there was a problem with a cyphen (sticking note) on the swell (top keyboard). Thankfully after playing the note for quite a while before the service it started to work fine and there were no further problems during the service. However, the church has been getting quotes on having the problem repaired and it has turned out that fairly major work is needed.
It's a reminder that these wonderful instruments we have in churches and cathedrals throughout the country do need regular maintenance and indeed can require a complete rebuild every 30 or 40 years in order to keep them in good condition. Often this is not something churches are able to prepare for financially and many pipe organs are being lost and replaced with digital instruments. While modern digital organs are excellent and in smaller churches they may often be the best way forward, its a shame when some really good quality pipe organs are being lost.
Mozart described the pipe organ as the "King of Instruments" and lets hope that this "King of Instruments" will continue to reign in years to come in Ilminster and many other churches throughout this country.
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