Concepción Buenavista
Region: Mixteca Alta
Church construction date: 1725
Organ construction date: 1802 (based on the contract)
Organ builder: Vicente Anaya (Mexico City)
Last played: unknown
Organ classification: 4´ table organ
Tonal base: 8´ stopped flute (bardón)
Pitch: unknown
Case measurements: height upper case 1.17 m, width upper case and table 1.48 m, depth 0.58 m, height from the floor including table 3.44 m
Keyboard: 51 notes C-d''', LH chromatic, registers divided c/c#'
Bellows: two wedge bellows which open toward the organ
Similar organs: none
The organ of Concepción Buenavista is most unusual. It is a large table organ with wood panels covering the space under the table, giving the impression of a stationary organ. The case design is neo-Gothic, and it looks different than any other organ in Oaxaca. The bellows open toward the organ and not toward the person raising them. It has a roller board like a stationary organ and lateral slider tabs protruding from the windchest like a table organ. But since the chest is positioned above and not below the keyboard, the tabs are at standing level. It is the first organ in Oaxaca with a chromatic keyboard, i.e. without a short octave, and with offset metal tubing to feed the façade pipes. After the 1999 earthquake, the organ was lifted down from the choir loft while the roof was being repaired. When it was hoisted back up, it fell apart. When we first saw it, the upper case was on the floor and the table was in pieces. The IOHIO reassembled the organ in 2005.
SPECIFICATIONS (based on the contract)
Left hand: 25 notes C-c'
1. Flautado 4´
2. Bardón 8´
3. Octava 2´
4. Docena 1 1/3´
5. Bardón 8´?
6. Timbales (o Lleno)*
*controlled by a knob on the front of the case
Right hand: 26 notes c#'-d'''
1. Flautado 4´
2. Bardón 8´
3. Octava 2´
4. Docena 1 1/3´
5. Quincena 1´ o Diecinovena 2/3´
6. Pajaritos*
*controlled by a knob on the front of the case