Photo/Illutration Pham Hong Trinh organizes Mass to mark the relocation of the pipe organ before its dismantlement. (Provided by Itami city)

ITAMI, Hyogo Prefecture--Musical instrument craftsman Guido Schumacher said he well remembers the day a pipe organ was installed in a city hall here, describing the experience as “exceptional” for him.

“I designed the organ as part of an important cultural exchange project between Itami and Hasselt (in Belgium), so that it would fit the hall,” said Schumacher, 64, who has plied his craft for more than 40 years. 

Itami city placed it in the hall at a cost of 70 million yen ($514,000) in 1993 after buying it from Schumacher, its Belgian maker.

The 7-meter-tall instrument, which comprises 1,696 pipes, had sat in the municipality-run Sun City Hall exchange center for elderly citizens.

The purchase came as Itami had a sister-city affiliation with Hasselt in Belgium since 1985.

However, Itami was forced to relinquish the organ, citing its expensive maintenance and repair costs.

“It is a pity that the instrument is taken away from here," Schumacher said. "I feel like the bonds of the two cities have disappeared somewhere, but this is what life is like. I should come to terms with that.”

Learning about the municipality’s decision to not repair the organ, Pham Hong Trinh, 53, an assistant parish priest at Oita Catholic Church in Oita, made arrangements for St. Joseph’s Cathedral in Hanoi to accept the pipe organ.

The organ was sent to the cathedral in Hanoi after its creator and other Belgian artisans finished dismantling the instrument, via Kobe Port on June 25. 

“I am relieved a new place was found to allow it to continue producing sounds,” Schumacher said. 

Pham held Mass at Sun City Hall on June 12 with about 30 people, including Schumacher and Vietnamese residents of Japan, in attendance a day before the instrument’s dismantling work started.

A letter of appreciation from a Vietnamese archbishop was read, and the last organ performance was offered there.

Pipe organs are said to need to be overhauled every 20 to 25 years. Schumacher thus had come to Japan four years ago to examine the instrument’s condition.

Though Schumacher had suggested “thorough cleaning work and large-scale repairs be done,” Itami city had dropped the proposed plan after learning the work would cost as much as 20 million yen.

Pipe damage and sections in a state of disrepair were spotted on many occasions during the latest removal work, stemming from a lack of proper maintenance. No mechanical problems were reportedly detected, however. 

Schumacher is planning to create new pipes in Belgium to be sent to Hanoi to replace their damaged counterparts during the instrument’s assembly there.

“The instrument can be used for 100 years or 200 years if properly mended,” said Schumacher. 

The pipe organ is expected to become available for performances around November, after it is locally adjusted for apt tones.

St. Joseph’s Cathedral will cover all expenses for its relocation and repairs.

Whereas costs were initially predicted to total 20 million yen, buying the newly made pipes and other parts are expected to add to the sum.

“I am happy the instrument’s creator was directly involved in making it playable at the cathedral,” Pham said. “I will work hard to raise the needed funds.”

Chie Seo, 62, an organist in Itami who has performed at the Japanese facility for 28 years, visited Sun City Hall on June 14 to watch it being dismantled.

“The stance of the city--which gave up on the organ, with a lifespan well beyond a human's, in a paltry 30 years--was regrettable,” she said.

“I hope people in Vietnam will cherish the instrument.”

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