Zprávy památkové péče 2017, 77(4):435-441

Sound-generating factors of the instruments of the Brno and Loket organ school. An example of applying new concepts and approaches in organ heritage care

Petr Koukal

NPÚ, ÚOP v Telči

Organ heritage care has long been maintained and evolved in developed countries, evolving as if out of the mainstream of official conservation theory. One of the reasons for this is given by Walter Supper, according to whom this is the most complicated area of all of heritage theory and care. The introductory part of the text therefore provides a look at the development and current situation of organ heritage care, where the greatest emphasis is placed on the documentation, protection, and recovery of the audio part of the organ. As part of this, new concepts are emerging, such as sound heritage and sound-making factors which help to better document and understand the essence of historical organs as heritage properties. The text addresses an important issue of newer heritage practice - it points to the problem of the conservationist approach ("gewachesener Zustand") when restoring the organ. Another topic is the framework evaluation of hither to documentation guidelines for historical organs used in heritage care. On these bases, the author explains the need to focus on overlooked sound-generating factors. A typical example is the as-yet undocumented and unresolved issue of forms for the metal flue pipes. The article presents survey results which support the hypothesis of a separate method of working and of the sound ideals of masters of the Loket and Brno organ schools, apparently different from other period workshops.

Keywords: Brno and Loket organ school, organ heritage care, sound-making factors, morphology of cores in metal organ flue pipes, intangible heritage

Published: December 1, 2017  Show citation