"Basílica de Nuestra Seńora de Luján"
The organ and church history
Mutin Cavaillé-Coll, circa 1908
The organ
The Mutin Cavaillé-Coll organ at Lujan's Basílica is really an important instrument
because of its complex and
interesting mechanic. It has an unique conception since it is the synthesis of the romantic
symphonic elements and the new neoclassic ideals that Charles Mutin began to introduce in
his works before any other organ builder.
This organ had its splendourous period between 1944 and 1974 when Juan Bautista Milanese, an
italian noteworthy organist graduated in the "Conservatori Benedeto Marcello" in Venice became
the main
organist of the Basílica. After that, the instrument never received the appropiate maintenance
and its current status is nearly that of a "silent" organ.
Unfortunately, scarcely a dozen stops can be used nowadays. An important amount of
stops are not in useful condition.
The "chamade" reeds have been dismounted and they are in very bad state.
A possible organ restoration has been several times discussed but never done. Jean Renaud,
from Nantes, who had the responsability of restoring the famous Aristide Cavaillé-Coll organ
at Saint Sulpice in Paris, among other notable french romantic instruments offered himself to
be the assessor in the Lujan's organ retoration project. He was also willing to come to Buenos
Aires to spend some time inspecting the instrument and make consecuently an accurate diagnosis
of its actual situation. Despite this noble proposal his coming to Buenos Aires was deliberately
neglected. It is really a shame the way in which corrupt and ignorant people may act just to
protect their niggardliness and dark interests!
The Mutin organ is still waiting for its restoration. Will we be lucky to hear this
instrument in all of its possibilities again? We don't really know what kind of future is
waiting for it.
The Church
The Basílica of Nuestra Seńora de Luján was built between 1890 and 1910. The church measures are:
104 metres lenght, 42 metres width (in the front), 106 metres heigth (the towers total hight).
This church was erected in honour of the virgin Mary whose image is considered the protectress
of the Argentine Republic.
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Authors: Rafael Ferreyra & David Merello
Send your Mails to ** rafaelinusa@hotmail.com
** davidmerello@arnet.com.ar **
Last update: July 23rd, 2003