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How many pipe organs in the world - in total?


churchmouse

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How many pipe organs in the world - in total?

If you count everything, from one manual upwards, but only those that are working, what do you think the ball-park figure might be? I have tried asking this elusive question of a number of organ specialists, as well as trying to nail the sum by doing some totting up of various databases and I'm still not convinced I am getting anywhere near the right number. Possibly the most accurate comment comes from the wonderful, and indefatigable Martin Doering of die-orgelseite.de:

"According to several sources there must be about 120,000 pipe organs in the whole world. Probably about 30% of them are in a poor condition or not playable anymore because there is no money to repair / restore them".

 

Can anyone add their considered two pennyworth?

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According to this, there were an estimated 37,501 churches in England in 2005. It's anyone's guess as to how many contain pipe organs (the 317 Orthodox churches won't), but I wonder if it's even as high as 75% now. A few cathedrals contain more than one, especially if you count box organs, but this won't push the number up significantly. The census only covered England though. There are said to be over 300,000 churches in America, but, given the diversity of religion there, I wouldn't begin to guess how many might have a pipe organ. I'll have a good stare at the tea leaves in my cup later.

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According to this, there were an estimated 37,501 churches in England in 2005. It's anyone's guess as to how many contain pipe organs (the 317 Orthodox churches won't), but I wonder if it's even as high as 75% now. A few cathedrals contain more than one, especially if you count box organs, but this won't push the number up significantly. The census only covered England though. There are said to be over 300,000 churches in America, but, given the diversity of religion there, I wouldn't begin to guess how many might have a pipe organ. I'll have a good stare at the tea leaves in my cup later.

This was fascinating, thanks! Horrifying and unsurprising. 6.3% regular church goers out of the total population. But I wonder what was defined as regular?

Anyway - yes - I still think the number of 120,000 organs worldwide is far too low. Even if you don't count single manual or in bad shape ones. I had thought of asking organ builders for individual lists but my heart failed me....

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Hi

 

The NPOR lists around 35,000 organs that are or have been installed in the UK - and it's fr from comprehensive in some geographical areas and denominations - I'd think the 120,000 is a significant underestimate!

 

yes - have to agree, Tony. Martin Doering has 4,760 organs on his site complete with a huge database and CD recordings (how I admire that man's wonderful energy as well as his photography) ... but he would be the last to admit it is anything like complete.

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