Fratelli Ruffatti, Historic Organ Restoration Project

A Jewel Reborn - The "museum-quality" historic organ restoration project in Valletta, Malta.
This careful work was carried out by the firm of Fratelli Ruffatti, The distinguished pipe organ builders of Padua, Italy. Ruffatti is the #1 European supplier of pipe organs to the United States.
The organ, of Italian origin, is found at the Oratory, St John's Co-cathedral in Valletta after the Knights of St. John transferred it from the church because they felt it didn't match the Baroque grandeur of the conventual church. The restoration project was aimed not only at reinstating the wooden case and the pipes, but also to ensure that the organ could be played once again. An incredible amount of effort and research went into the identification of missing pipes. The organ had only 40 existing metal and six wooden pipes. A total of 419 new pipes had to be recreated.
For more information, visit www.ruffatti.com

[@marc49lewis]

This kind of craftsmanship is becoming increasingly rare in this modern world. It is really nice to see this kind of care and superb workmanship utilised to restore an irreplaceable treasure. Thanks to F. Ruffatti, a firm that I have always admired, for their precision and patience.

[@centralmusicinc.7086]

Thank you very much!

[@timothytikker1147]

An excellent documentary! Many thanks for sharing!

[@gondolacrescent5]

A remarkable project by a remarkable organ builder. I'm very favourably impressed with this builders dedication to the art of organ building. I confess, I've attempted to tune and service on Italian built pipe organ and was thoroughly disgusted with the instrument after 2-3 hours work. That experience led me to believe all Italian pipe organs were terrible, which was, of course, a ridiculous and prejudicial conclusion. The Ruffatti Br.'s have changed my mind in a convincing manner. Thank you for producing the video and sharing. I can't help but notice at 9:00 the pipe builder beating the pipe metal around the mandrel and the lively acoustics in the room accentuating the sound. After a days work of this nature I'd think the effect on the ears would not be good. I'm very conscious of the effects of acoustics and I would also think organ builders would too. If it were up to me (imagine that!) I'd be tempted to "kill" the acoustics in such a room where incessant tapping from a number of pipe makers could induce irritability or stress among the craftsmen.

[@centralmusicinc.7086]

A.G. M. We're so happy you enjoyed the video. Your observation of the noise in the pipe shop is a good one! I believe some dampening measures have been made. Also, many of the manufacturing staff now wear noise controlling headphones like those you might find at a gun range.

[@Lilkenneyofficial]

Beautiful video

[@centralmusicinc.7086]

Thank you! Cheers!

[@fintan3563]

Fascinating!

[@centralmusicinc.7086]

We're glad you think so! Thank you for watching.

[@JOHN-tk6vl]

A wonderful video. Thank you.

[@centralmusicinc.7086]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Excellent presentation. Many thanks.

[@centralmusicinc.7086]

We're glad you enjoyed it.

[@Offshoreorganbuilder]

Many thanks for this very interesting upload. Who was the English narrator, who sounds very much like Michael Horden, but cannot be, at this date?

[@centralmusicinc.7086]

I think the narrator is credited at the end of the video. This was actually a documentary produced for broadcast television in the EU. Glad you enjoyed it.