Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

W. W. Kimball Co. (Opus 7134, 1935)

Location:

City Hall
Corner Paul Kruger and Visagie Street
Pretoria, 11 ZA
Main Hall
Organ ID: 30859

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Status and Condition:

  • The organ is unaltered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is playable, but not in usable condition.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Electro-pneumatic (EP)
  • 100 ranks. 5,923 pipes. 6 divisions. 4 manuals. 101 stops.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Electro-pneumatic (EP) chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. Facade pipes or case front visible.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 6
  • Stops: 101
  • Position: Console on lift.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on angled jambs.
  • Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard.
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on October 10, 2013:

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

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on July 06, 2012:

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.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on September 25, 2009:

Updated through online information from James R. Stettner.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Database Manager on November 08, 2007:

Identified through online information from David. -- Built by WW Kimball, installed by Cooper, Gill & Tomkins. Tonal Finishing by Walter Ortlep (of Kimball)

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist taken from the South Africa Organs website
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

Console: Photograph courtesy of Ronald Crowl. Taken on 2000-02-22

Console: Photograph from an archival source: Kimball ad in THE DIAPASON April 1935, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken approx. 1935