This is an archive of news articles from January 2005. Current news articles can be found here and an archive index can be found here. Information in this archive may no longer be valid.

• RCO confirms Goll to build their organ
  The controversial choice of Swiss firm Goll Orgelbau has been confirmed by the Royal College of Organists, who will be spending 750,000 on the organ for their new headquarters in Birmingham. Their choice of an overseas organbuilder has provoked much debate, but until more details emerge and ultimately the organ can be experienced in situ, only one thing is certain - the new RCO organ will be one of the most keenly observed instruments in coming years. The latest press release can be found on the RCO website. The proposed specification is given below, and the glass-fronted hall in which the organ will be situated is pictured right.
  

  Proposed Specification: Royal College of Organists, Birmingham
  Great (C-c4)		Swell (C-c4, enclosed)
  Praestant Principal Gamba Gedackt Doppelflte Octave Spitzflte Quinte 2 2/3' Octave Mixtur 1 1/3' Cornett Trompete Tremulant	16' 8' 8' 8' 8' 4' 4' 2 2/3' 2' IV (1 1/3') V (8', from g) 8'	Bourdon Cor de nuit Flte harmonique Gambe Voix cleste Fugara Flte octaviante Nasard 2 2/3' Octavin Tierce 1 3/5' Plein jeu Basson Trompette harmonique Hautbois Clairon Tremulant	16' 8' 8' 8' 8' 4' 4' 2 2/3' 2' 1 3/5' V (2') 16' 8' 8' 4'
  Positive (C-c4, enclosed)		Pedal (C-g1)
  Principal Koppelflte Flauto dolce Octave Rohrflte Sesquialtera Doublette Larigot 1 1/3' Scharf Cromorne Voix humaine Tremulant	8' 8' 8' 4' 4' II 2' 1 1/3' IV (1') 8' 8'	Principalbass Violonbass Subbass Octavbass Violoncello Bourdon Octave Mixtur 2 2/3' Posaune Trompete	16' 16' 16' 8' 8' 8' 4' IV (2 2/3') 16' 8'

  
  
  
• Royal Festival Hall delay?
  More controversy has emerged after the Royal Festival Hall issued a statement indicating that the hall might open without its organ being reinstated. While the statement confirms the hall's intention to ultimately reinstate the organ, there is now no timetable for this process, as the hall cannot currently commit to funds being available. However, to further muddy the waters, rumours have already emerged of additional funding which may change this situation. The dummy pipes may not be the only ones missing when the RFH reopens in 2007.
  
  
• Organbuilding news from around the world
  Glatter-Gtz Opus 20's installation in the Augustana Lutheran Church, Minnesota is well under way. The organ is another collaberation with Manuel Rosales, and features 39 stops over two manuals. Details appear on their website. Meanwhile American builders Noack have completed their Opus 146 for Kennebunkport South Congregational Church, Maine in time for Christmas. Again with two manuals, this instrument has 22 stops, and details can be found on their website.
  
  Moscow has seen the completion of two large new instruments. The Moscow International House of Music inaugurated its new Glatter-Gtz / Klais organ in December, which at 84 stops is now the largest organ in Russia. The concert included Thomas Trotter, Klemens Schnorr and Vasily Dolinsky. Not to be outdone, the Roman Catholic Cathedral's new 74 stop Kuhn will have a month-long festival of inauguration beginning on the 16th of January.