Merklin-Schütze organ inaugurated
The Cathedra of Sacred Music of the Padre Félix Varela Cultural Center inaugurates the organ of the firm Merklin-Schütze (Paris / Brussels, 1856) , one of the oldest instruments that we find in our Archdiocese of Havana. As once its melodies resounded at its headquarters in the beautiful Basilica of Our Lady of La Caridad, we can hear it today, restored and refunctionalized for the enjoyment of our faithful and visitors in general, adorning the liturgical accompaniment of our religious services.
In Havana today two organs are considered very valuable: the organ of the Church of San Francisco de Paula belonging to the Daublaine-Ducroquet house ( ca. 1845-1855) and restored in 2008 by the Office of the City Historian, and the organ that we revitalize today.
In the current year of the Lord 2019, the restoration of this Merklin-Schütze organ has concluded, which has been transferred since 2017, at the suggestion of our Archbishop SER Mons. Juan de la Caridad García, to a new space in the Church of San Francisco de Asís (Cuba and Amargura, Old Havana). The instrument has been restored by the Swiss Organizer House Ferdinand Stemmer SA in collaboration with the German government, the Embassy of the Federal Republic of Germany, the Foundation for the World Heritage of the UNESCO , and the Baltisches Orgel Centrum, and will habitually dedicate to liturgical, academic and concert actions under the management of the Cathedra of Sacred Music of the Padre Félix Varela Cultural Center.
With this valuable instrument among us, as of today, let us enjoy religious services and sacred-musical activities that contribute to enriching the cultural heritage of the beloved Havana people who are celebrating the 500th anniversary of its foundation.
Palabras del Pbro. Yosvany Carvajal Sureda, Rector del Instituto de Estudios Eclesiásticos Padre Félix Varela y Párroco del Sagrario Catedral de La Habana
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