I don't know much about the church but at 9AM EST today the Fox News Radio update said that there were reports of water flowing onto the altar [:O]</p>
Don;t forget about the Casavant either. On something of a side note, it seems to me that particular area of chicago (with the two cathedrals- Holy Name and St. James) would be great for organists.
It seems the fire was contained within the cockloft/attic and the roof damageappears to bemainly in the transept. The rear-gallery Flentrop was likely spared from the water. Smoke damage may be present though...</P>
Hopefully they will find a way to close the hole in the roof so the instrument is protected from the elements. There are reports of icicles forming on the pews.</P>
Yes I'm absolutely horrible, and this could be construed as flame bait, but my gut reaction was to save the cathedral, let the Flentrop burn, and use the insurance money to buy an organ more suited for an american catholic cathedral.
You are not horrible nor flaming you are a comparitively young talented guy who has strong feelings and thats fine.I can understand your point quite well as to propriety of a particular style organ. But then in Holland likely the RC churches have organs comparable to the one at Holy Name. Flentrop made a very fine organ. is it the one you think should be in an RC Cathedral? No.Back in 1988 the NeoClassic era was still in full bloom. My 1990 jobs in NYC all had 8' Prinzipals spelled with a Z.</P>
Maybe in 30 years a new organ will be designed for the Chicago Venue that will be along American Symphonic lines that would fit nicely.</P>
How is the Skinner project doing and did you see the 1918 Skinner pipes for sale on the Organ Trader?</P>
I just read a posting on OrganChat that both organs are OK. Supposedly the word came from one of the organists there, passed through several friends.</P>
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