BRIEF BACKROUND HISTORY OF THE ORGAN AT SAN NICOLAS DE BARI CHURH IN ALGORTA
March/13/2008
It is a
Merklin organ, manufactured by the prestigious firm
“Manufacture de Grandes Orgues J. Merklin &
Cie”. This company was one of the most
important in Europe in the second half of the 19th
Century, and has its origin in the firm “J.
Merklin-Schütze et Cie” founded by J. Merklin
in 1853, who had learned the trade from his father,
the organ-maker Franz Joseph Merklin.
The success of his organs becomes clear when we witness the vast number that he made, above all in France and Belgium. He was later responsible for the one built in Murcia’s Cathedral, in Spain.
He started to work alongside Joseph Gutschenritter in 1878, who soon became his workshop manager. In 1898, due to family problems, J. Merklin sold the business to Gutschenritter. It is he who is responsible for the most part of the Merklin brand organs that can be found in the Basque Country, ie: the ones in Andoain, Régil as well as the one in Algorta.
In a letter sent to Sebastian Aldalur, priest of Azkoitia, dated May 21st 1907, Gutschenritter confirms that the Algorta organ contract has been signed and that it will be delivered early in 1908. It’s value is of 28.500 pesetas and will be donated to the parish by Mr. José Antonio de Uriarte Sustacha.
Amongst other letters dated May 25th 1908, the organ-maker informs Aldalur that the Algorta organ had been sent off from his workshop ten days previous, and that his workers are already present, ready to install it. He notes that both the parish owner and priest will undoubtedly forgive the delay as soon as they witness the excellence of its sound, and will then feel very proud of it indeed.
There is an inscription on one of the stone walls of the San Nicolás Choir that reads, “Year 1908. In eternal memory of Mr. José Antonio de Uriarte Sustacha. Factory Board”
The success of his organs becomes clear when we witness the vast number that he made, above all in France and Belgium. He was later responsible for the one built in Murcia’s Cathedral, in Spain.
He started to work alongside Joseph Gutschenritter in 1878, who soon became his workshop manager. In 1898, due to family problems, J. Merklin sold the business to Gutschenritter. It is he who is responsible for the most part of the Merklin brand organs that can be found in the Basque Country, ie: the ones in Andoain, Régil as well as the one in Algorta.
In a letter sent to Sebastian Aldalur, priest of Azkoitia, dated May 21st 1907, Gutschenritter confirms that the Algorta organ contract has been signed and that it will be delivered early in 1908. It’s value is of 28.500 pesetas and will be donated to the parish by Mr. José Antonio de Uriarte Sustacha.
Amongst other letters dated May 25th 1908, the organ-maker informs Aldalur that the Algorta organ had been sent off from his workshop ten days previous, and that his workers are already present, ready to install it. He notes that both the parish owner and priest will undoubtedly forgive the delay as soon as they witness the excellence of its sound, and will then feel very proud of it indeed.
There is an inscription on one of the stone walls of the San Nicolás Choir that reads, “Year 1908. In eternal memory of Mr. José Antonio de Uriarte Sustacha. Factory Board”