[News]
[2004]

The Welte Philharmonic Organ at David Salomons' House, Tunbridge Wells

28 January 2004

A year ago we began dismantling the largest surviving "reproducing" organ built by the pioneering firm of Welte in Freiburg, Germany. Installed on the stage of Sir David's "Science Theatre" at the outbreak of World War I, it is last thought to have been played during the course of World War II. This protracted silence will come to an end over the next few months as the restored components are reassembled on site and connected to the player action via several hundred metres of narrow-bore pneumatic tubing. Much of the technology is unfamiliar to us as "conventional" organ builders, and we have called upon the invaluable assistance of A C Pilmer & Co of York for those parts of the contract. In the photographs below can be seen the three-manual en fenêtre console (with the roll-player mechanisms above it), and the chromatically planted Great and Swell soundboards (both of which are enclosed in the same swell box). The third manual controls an Echo division in a chamber at the opposite end of the theatre, for which the original electro-pneumatic relays and multi-core cabling still survive. Following hard on the heels of the Royal Albert Hall, this is the second contract in succession for which we have had to restore a complete percussion section!

[Welte philharmonic organ, console]
[Welte philharmonic organ]

The project is funded by the Heritage Lottery Fund in partnership with Canterbury Christ Church University College who now own David Salomons' House and Estate.

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