NEWS FOR PIPE ORGAN ENTHUSIASTS
Lead Organ Pipes In Dispute
Can this really be true?
From 1st July 2006 a Euro directives will apparently outlaw new and rebuilt pipe organs because they use lead in the form of traditional tin/lead alloys which are needed to form the sound-making organ pipes. Pipe organs can be found in cathedrals (one is mentioned below), concert halls, colleges and churches in all European countries from Spain to Russia, Italy to the UK. If no action is taken this will prevent the continuance of a centuries old craft industry across the entire EU, leading to many job losses.
It is difficult to believe - is it a threat to the king of musical instruments? One such instrument is mentioned below.
Read all about the threat.
OUR COMMENT
If it is true,we reckon that it is more important to think about the lead water pipes that are still
in many homes in Europe. What do you think?
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Lead Reaction
I do not know where I am on Organ Pipes and have been thinking on the issues raised during the past few months.
Lead is a dangerous material and the high lead content of the alloys used for Organ Pipes is very high.
No work will be done in reducing the lead content of pipes while they can use traditional alloys. From the experience in industry and the association with organic solvents, if one employee in Organ Pipe manufacturers dies or is affected by lead poisoning then the practice of using lead alloy pipes must stop.
However getting data to defend the use of lead alloy pipes or to ban the use of lead alloy pipes is very difficult - I have tried and failed.
Quoting the 'status quo' is no good and reference to lead pipes in plumbing is counter productive as in the UK and the 'enlightened World' the practice is banned in new projects and every attempt is made to replace lead pipes in existing installations.
The data currently published is confusing and big business is sometimes corrupt! so at the moment I am all mixed up!
AB. South Wales.
Name and address supplied.
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Salisbury Cathedral Pipe Organ News
A series of concerts by internationally-renowned organists is planned for the newly
overhauled Father Willis Organ. These will take place on Wednesday evenings on specified
dates. The Cathedral web site will gives all the information, see the direct links below:-
Salisbury Cathedral
Organ details
Dates of recitals
At the time of writing this page is due for an update but the information can be found
under their news heading which leads to the following:-
2006 recital dates and information
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