The great organ of St Stephen's Basilica, Budapest

Performed by András Gábor Virágh,
titular organist of Saint Stephen’s Basilica.

Recorded by the Duna TV at Saint Stephen’s Basilica, Budapest in 2023.
Host: Gergely Vágvölgyi

The orginal instrument was made in 1905, with 64 stops a three keyboards, a free combination of 6 key sets, pneumatic control and bag-chests. In 1932, however, it was completed to 4 manuals and the number of versions was increased, then it was rebuilt by the Rieger Organ Factory with verisons up to 79 in 1937.
The latest works of refashioning were in progress from 1992 to 2004. Works done by the Váradi és fia Organ Building Company of Budapest, a new, movable computer-controlled console was added with an electric stracture and the wind-chests were renewed in a conical chest system.
By now, its stopshave numbered as many as 93 and the Chamade sticking horizontally out of the front has added special interest to it. With the free combinations numbering 1152, the organ has 22 reeds instead of the original 9 ones.
Its reed-pipes number 7544, the biggest one being 105 meters, the shortest one 5 millimetres in lenght, and the air supply is guaranteed by 3 high-powered, electric fans. On the design by József Kauser, the organ-chest was manufactured in the Thék Endre Furniture Factory. While renewing it for the last time, it was overlaid with a leaf gilding of 22-carat gold.