San Mateo Capulalpam de Méndez
Region: Sierra Norte Zapoteca
Church construction date: 1715, 1737 choir loft, 1778 bell
Organ construction date: 1816 (based on a reference to the inauguration of the organ)
Organ builder: unknown
Last played: ca. 1930s
Organ classification: 8´ stationary organ
Tonal base: 8´ principal
Pitch: unknown
Case measurements: height 3.85 m, width lower case 1.53 m, width lower case with hips 2.35 m, width upper case 1.375 m, width upper case with side towers ca. 1.70 m, depth 0.89 m
Keyboard: missing; it had 45 notes C-c’’’ with a short octave, registers divided c’/c#’
Bellows: missing, originally probably two or three wedge bellows
Similar organs: Teotitlán del Valle (1821)
The design of the organ of San Mateo Capulalpam is unusual. It has a trapezoidal base similar to that of the Basílica de la Soledad, integrated side towers with speaking pipes, and a combination of baroque (cornices) and neoclassical (fluted columns) design elements on the case. The organ was financed by Sr. Clemente Cosme, an important person in the community who made generous donations to the church.
SPECIFICATIONS (proposed)
Left hand: 21 notes C-c’ with a short octave
1. Flautado mayor 8´
2. Diecinovena 1 1/3´or Veintidocena 1´
3. Octava 4´
4. Bardón 8´
5. Docena 2 2/3´
6. Quincena 2´
7. Tapadillo 4´
8. Trompeta real 8´
Right hand: 24 notes c#’-c’’’
1. Clarín´
2. Flautado mayor 8´
3. Octava 4´
4. Bardón 8´
5. Docena 2 2/3´
6. Quincena 1° 2´
7. Tapadillo 4´
8. Quincena 2° 2´