City Hall
Corner Paul Kruger and Visagie Street
Pretoria,
11 ZA
Main Hall
Organ ID: 30859
Updated through online information from David Smit. -- As an organ builder, myself and concert organist Eddie Davie paid a visit to the organ two weeks ago, whilst there was indeed significant water leakage into the chambers until a few years ago the City has had the roof repaired and the leakage seems to have stopped. The organ itself does NOT seem to be damaged. Of course only a detailed inspection will determine with certainty. Apart from being very dirty, and the electrics being in need of replacement the organ is mechanically fine.
The 2012-07-06 Entry about this and other SA organs is far from fact. In fact of the organs mentioned only Durban (destroyed completely except for the case) and Johannesburg (in desperate need of restoration) are unplayable. Cape Town has just been overhauled to admirable standards and Pietermaritzburg is in sound mechanical shape.
The SA Organs website entry has changed. it is now at http://www.saorgans.ws/toh/toh-pta.asp. The Pretoria City Hall Organ facebook page is at https://www.facebook.com/PretoriaCityHallOrgan?ref=ts&fref=ts
Updated through online information from Stefan Steyn. -- I am an organist. The Pretoria City Hall organ has been almost unplayable for quite a few years now. Rainwater has leaked through the roof, and damaged the organ significantly. This story however is almost the same for the organs of Johannesburg City hall, Pietermaritzburg City Hall, Cape Town City Hall, and Durban City hall. All of these organs are neglected and unplayable at this moment.
Updated through online information from James R. Stettner.
Identified through online information from David. -- Built by WW Kimball, installed by Cooper, Gill & Tomkins. Tonal Finishing by Walter Ortlep (of Kimball)