About Us
Our firm serves the musical world for four generations with its instruments. Mr. József Váradi was the founder, he was working at Kolozsvár in the middle of the last century. He has built 3-6 new organs.
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Miklós Váradi (1883-1962) his son, started his technical traning in his father´s firm. His name is linked with the foundation of the company. Having finished his grammar school, - he already obtained his journeyman´s certificate,- he came to Budapest to broaden his range of interests at the firm of Sándor Országh whom he regarded the representative of the manufactured, modern organ-building. In 1912 he was forman of the firm, and in 1918 he became the member of the Hungarian Society of Organology. When the first world war broke out he joined up, but on the request of Országh, as person indispensable, he was demobilized. In 1920 he opened his own firm, with modern machinery and workshop, employing 10-20 workers, up to the nationalization he has built 101 mechanical and pneumatic organs. After the nationalization his machines and stockpile was confiscated, he was allowed to do only repairs and enlargements, thus keeping his family alive.
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Pictures about Mr. Miklós Váradi
His two sons Miklós Váradi jr. (1919-1970) and Ottó Váradi (1922-2005) also chose the same profession. Miklós was working in his fathers firm, after the nationalization he was working in the City´s Musical Instruments Makers Company, in the organ building section, but later he gave up the profession.
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Ottó more or less followed the same line, but after the war as english prisoner of war he was regarded as "class alien" and as such didn't get employment for a long time. However it was him who completed his fathers last request - without machines and workshop - the organ of the roman catholic church of Veresegyház. In 1963 he had his masters certificate and he faced the odium of a trade which was graded as, "clerical". In 1994 the Hungarian Society of Musical Instruments rewarded his efforts with the Golden Wreath Prize.
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Keyboard in the bottom left corner.
The youngest member of the dynasty is István Váradi (1958) who is the follower of his father since 1972. He got his journeyman´ s certificate in 1975 and his master certificate in 1983 In 1976-77 he pursued his studies in Germany, the stages of his stay were Gotha, Merseburg, Dresden, Bautzen and Potsdam. After his return the two generations are working together. Since 1981 he reestablished the contacts with the german Laukhuff firm which became the first step of a long term connection. Since 1984 the name of the firm is Váradi and Son.
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A new era came, after the introduction of the Cavaille - Coll pupils organ (Dom Lade-gast of swering). The attraction towards the french model of the tone ideal, prompted the firm to establish new business contacts, this time with the Killinger reed-pipe manufacturers.
In 1989 a new modern establishment was built. By the participation of engineers, the use of electrical engineering became employable. Well-known visitors; the representative of the american firm Moller, Peter and Hans-Erik Laukauff expressed their appreciation having seen the establisament.
Today the staff of nine has four organ builder trade-workers, three joiner, and two pupils. Stephen Váradi teaches organ technical knowledge since 1993 at the School of Instrumental Music of the Franz Liszt Academy. He is member of the Society of Instrumental Music, President of the Master Certificate Commitee of Organ Builders, President of the Ethical Commitee of the Budapest Chamber of Craftsman and board member of the organ section in the Hungarian Society of Church Music. He is the first hungarian member of the GDO and ISO.
Up till now our more important works are: the organ building of the Cathedral of Kalocsa, the Cathedral of Pécs, in Budapest; the Saint Stephen Basilica, the City Parish, the Karmelita Church, the New Piarist Chapel. The Karmelita Basilica Minor at Keszthely and the Prorestant Parish at Veresegyház.
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The firm undertakes the building of new organs of any system or size, with 20 years of guarantee, also enlargements, repairs and the restorations of historic organs.
Váradi and Son are the first hungarian organbuilders whom the member of the International Society of Organbuilders since 1998.
Information
Varadi and Son Organbuilders
1102. Budapest, Holgy street 37.
HUNGARY
Tel./ Fax: 262-3667
E-mail: varadi.organ@t-online.hu
Web: http://www.varadi-orgona.hu
Overseas representative: (USA & Australia)
Email: organprofessionals@yahoo.com
Phone: +617 3133 1229