Volume 58, Number 2, Spring 2014 THE TRACKER JOURNAL OF THE ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY WELCOME TO THE FINGER LAKES OHS 2014 PIPE ORGAN HOLIDAY!

If our 2014 OHS convention could be summed up in one word, that word would be diversity. Instruments from the 19th century share the schedule with those from later builders, running the gamut from romantic/symphonic to a historically accurate recreation of an 18th-century Schnitger organ, and almost everything in between. Environments range from the urban vibe of downtown Syracuse to the bucolic hills and back roads of the Finger Lakes wine region. Experiences abound, including recitals by established organ “Stars,” up-and-coming young performers, and familiar convention favorites, historical presentations by people familiar with the significance of some of our venues, and tours, by water and land, to some of the many Finger Lakes Wineries that make New York one of the premier wine-producing states in the country. Organs that our members will hear for the first time will delight and impress us, as will the six (yes, six!) instruments that have already been awarded OHS citations. Register NOW! www.organsociety.org/2014 THE OHS CATALOG SHEET MUSIC BOOKS RECORDINGS ࿇ ࿇ AN ORGAN A DAY THE ENTERPRISING SPIRIT OF M.P. MÖLLER BYNUM PETTY The story of Möller’s life and work told through related essays. A proud business man, founder of the world’s largest organ company, owner of automobile companies, hotels, banks, and railroads. Rich with previously undiscovered source material, Bynum Petty, Archivist of the OHS, has woven together the story of this remarkable man and his wondrous enterprises. AN ORGAN A DAY FIRST-EVER PUBLISHED COMPLETE MÖLLER OPUS LIST The Enterprising Spirit of M.P. Möller PAPERBACK • 230 PAGES • 75 ILLUSTRATIONS • PENDRAGON PRESS, 2014 • $52.00 Bynum Petty

IN STOCK FOR IMMEDIATE SHIPMENT! THE COMPLETE ORGAN No. 9 CHOOSE FROM OVER 5,000 TITLES! ORDER ANY TIME ONLINE: www.ohscatalog.org From the Executive Director THE TRACKER JA MES WEAVER Volume 58, Number 2 ~ SPRING 2014 Greetings,

It seems impossible not to lead off with CONTENTS an observation about the weather. As I write in early February, ice and snow have been slithering across the country From the Executive Director 5 and up and down the eastern seaboard for JAMES WEAVER months. Many calls and notes from col- leagues have led off with an observation Letters to the Editor 6 that roads are impassible and that it is a good time to accomplish stuff at home. From the President 9 Even though the weather has been WILLIAM F. CZELUSNIAK daunting, I am on fire with enthusiasm as plans for the fu- ture continue to take shape. There has been some travel, The East Texas 12 and a lot of ongoing work, to plan for the three upcoming Pipe Organ Festival 2013 GEORGE BOZEMAN JR. OHS conventions: The Syracuse Pipe Organ Holiday (Au- gust 11–14) takes advantage of its beautiful location among the Finger Lakes, offering something quite new: visits to a A Temple of Commerce 14 Soaps, Perfumes, Peanut Butter, and a Möller Organ group of local wineries combined with some fewer days of BYNUM PETTY our trademark jamb-packed visits to see and hear organs. The offerings this year are marvelously varied, and the list In The Tracker 50 Years Ago 19 of performers is particularly strong. The organs are not SCOT L. HUNTINGTON all in Syracuse, although we will certainly experience the university’s iconic 1950 Holtkamp in Setnor Auditorium. Archives Corner 20 The photo we’ve used for much of our publicity is the 1940 BYNUM PETTY Aeolian-Skinner in Sage Chapel at Cornell, where we will hear three highly diverse instruments. Yet another destina- News 24 tion has captured my imagination—the Steere & Turner organ (ca. 1891) in Willard Memorial Chapel in Auburn, Reviews 26 N.Y., a complete, unaltered Tiffany installation—win- dows, the floor and ceiling, pews and chandeliers—stun- Minutes 31 ning! As this publication reaches you, Early Registration is still available until May. Obituaries 32 Further travels have taken me to Springfield, Mass., and to Philadelphia, Penn., to work with the local com- EndNotes 33 mittees who are having a great time planning for the Pio- Kinetic Engineering Company neer Valley Convention in 2015 and Philadelphia in 2016. BYNUM PETTY The intensity of the meetings is exciting because there is so much rich material to choose from. Our members seek to offer a grand experience in these places that they love and know so well. In each case, we will move out from the host city to hear instruments nearby: in 2015, to the Berkshires ON THE COVER for the Aeolian-Skinner in the Music Shed at Tanglewood The Grand Staircase of The Frick Collection, former and, in 2016, to Atlantic City for the amazing Boardwalk residence of Henry Clay Frick. The console of the 1914 Aeolian organ is in the niche at the left opposite Renoir’s organ that is currently experiencing a true rebirth. Mother and Children. The small gilt figures in the arched organ case above the landing were inspired by Luca della Also hard at work during these winter months are Robbia’s Cantoria for the Duomo in Florence. Rollin Smith and Len Levasseur. You know their work Visit the Frick online at www.frick.org. through regular publications of The Tracker, but they are PHOTO MICHAEL BODYCOMB both particularly drawn to the creative opportunities im-

© THE FRICK COLLECTION, NEW YORK plicit in preparation of an OHS Press book. This year, sub-

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 5 EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, CONT. scriptions are pouring in for Rollin’s newest work, Pipe Or- seem like dry undertakings, but we are, in fact, moving to set gans of the Rich and Famous. It is drawing a lot of attention that up our beloved Organ Historical Society to flourish with re- has prompted us to set up a booth (number 213) in the Exhibit newed vigor for years to come. Please stay with us as we move Hall of AGO Boston 2014 where you will find Rollin signing forward. We need you! Stay with us, and please bring your copies of his book on Monday night, June 23. friends along to join this wonderful organization in its sup- We will offer you other good reasons to stop by—so be port of the organ in America. sure to look us up! Finally, as we prepare for our Annual Meeting on August Sincerely, 13, 2014, we are busily at work with our nominating com- mittee, and with a dedicated team that is completing a re- vision of OHS bylaws that was begun in 2013. These may

Letters TO THE EDITOR To the Editor: 1976 pamphlet Organ Playing and Design: A Plea for Exuber- Two stoplists published in David Klepper’s Letter to the ance): “Organists are the only musicians I know of who per- Editor in the Winter 2014 issue of The Tracker each con- form according to rule books!” tain an error. There is no 4ʹ Rohrflöte in the Swell division of By the 1970s, it was already becoming the musical equiv- Aeolian-Skinner Op. 1088 (1946) at Grace United Church of alent of “politically correct” for organists to play all music Christ in Rutland, Vermont; this stop is in the Great division, before 1750 in this détaché manner, regardless of the style— where it is also listed in the published stoplist. The factory whether vocally or instrumentally inspired—of an individual specification for this organ is published on the Aeolian-Skin- piece, of its texture, of the nature of the particular instrument ner Archives website, and its current disposition, after addi- being played and the registration chosen, and of the organ’s tions were made in the 1990s, appears in the OHS Database acoustical surroundings at the time of performance. (website: http://database.organsociety.org/index.html). In ad- This is not intended to devalue—much less to gainsay— dition, there is a Mixture IV on the Hauptwerk of Casavant the increased knowledge and scope with which the American Frères Op. 3361 (1980) at the Cathedral of the Immaculate phase of the 20th-century Orgelbewegung has blessed us, in Conception in Burlington, Vermont, which is missing from its sensitive tracker-action organs and performance-relevant the published stoplist. The factory specification may be viewed research connected with them (re early fingering and pedal- on the OHS Database, ID 4751. ing, etc.). Both the instruments and the scholarship have made Respectfully yours, us better, more interesting players. For one thing, insight into T. Daniel Hancock early fingerings and pedal technique has helped to rescue us Springfield, Missouri from the unremitting, unarticulated legato that many of us older folk were taught as the basic organ touch. How we la- To the Editor: bored to devise “substitutions” to make everything smooth! I was encouraged by the closing section of George Boz- eman’s review of Julia Brown’s Scheidemann recording (The The fruit of this crawling touch was presumably what caused Tracker, Winter 2014, p. 44), beginning with: “The other Stravinsky to say of the organ, “The monster never breathes.” thing I don’t seem to be grasping is why melodies seem to al- But there is still a place for a singing legato. May we bal- ways be played with separated notes.” This disarmingly in- ance minds open to historical authenticity with ears open to genuous observation comes in fact from an experienced con- the music itself. We would all do well to remember the words cert organist and builder who is also a scholar of organs and of C.P.E. Bach, who said with customary wisdom (in his Ver- how they are played. His comments appropriately challenge such, Wm. J. Mitchell translation): “There are many who play a ubiquitous characteristic of current organ playing, one that stickily, as if they had glue between their fingers. Their touch has troubled me as well, and that invites closer scrutiny. is lethargic; they hold notes too long. Others, in an attempt to For many years I have opposed the unquestioning adop- correct this, leave the keys too soon, as if they burned. Both tion and dogmatic application to early music of the “struc- are wrong. . . [But] every kind of touch has its use.” tured legato,” an approach that can make us oblivious to in- Carlton T. Russell ternal evidence, i.e., what the music suggests. Blind adherence Professor of Music and College Organist, Emeritus to this approach reminds me of Don Willing’s lament (in his Wheaton College

6 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 NEW M E M B E R S The OHS welcomes its newest members. The Legacy Society David Baskeyfield Bonnie L. Knights Kathy Bernard Frantz Lafortune Patricia G. Booth Vicki Levi • Leslie Brown Joshua Lindgren Herbert D. Abbott † Thomas Garbrick Marilyn Brown Robert Marcantel John D. Carew Jr. Nancy Maurer Anonymous John J. Geller Eugene Cashman Brennan Miller Rachel W. Archibald † Belmon H. Hall Charlene T. Cranmer Thomas Mueller Ronna Davis Denise C. Richardson Freeman Bell William L. Huber † Foster Diehl Schuyler Robinson Paul A. Bender Dana J. Hull Roger Dowdy Phyllis W. Spisak Edgar A. Boadway Joyce Drotos Carol Sullivan Scot L. Huntington David Fox Carole B. Symonette Mrs. E. Power Biggs † Mark Jameson F. Elizabeth Garrett Roger Vreeland Paul Birckner David L. Junchen † David M. Hiebert Emma Whitten Brian Buehler † Barbara S. Johnson Tim Wilson Preston J. Kauffman † Elizabeth A. Kimball Joseph Woody Randell Franklyn Busby Forrest C. Mack † John Rice Churchill † John E. Courter, fago † Earl L. Miller † David P. Dahl Dennis E. Northway MAJOR SUPPORTERS Richard Ditewig Barbara Owen OF THE ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY A. Graham Down Stephen L. Pinel The Society expresses its profound gratitude to the following Charles Eberline Clark H. Rice † individuals and organizations whose support totals $500 or more James A. Fenimore, md † James A. Tharp during the 2011–2012 fiscal year. All members are challenged and encouraged to join this group during the 2013–2014 year. Linda P. Fulton Richard E. Willson American Institute of Lowell E. Johnson The Legacy Society honors members who have included the Organbuilders Len Levasseur OHS in their wills or other estate plans. We are extremely grate- Eric A. Anderson Robert D.C. Long J. Michael Barone J.O. Love ful to these generous OHS members for their confidence in the fu- George E. Becker John Lovegren ture of the Society. Please consider supporting the OHS in this Paul A. Bender Christopher S. Marks way, and if the OHS is already in your will, please contact us so Gordon L. Biscomb Michael McDermott that we can add you as a member of the OHS Legacy Society. Stephen B. Black Bradley McLain [email protected] Bradford Organ Company Messrs. Czelusniak et Willis Bridegam Dugal, Inc. Karl Bruhn Rosalind Mohnsen Catherine Bruno Donald Jack Newsom Chicago Midwest Chapter Chris C. Nichols of OHS Organ Supply Industries Lynn R. Clock Roy D. Perdue The editor acknowledges James H. Cook Bynum Petty Chester W. Cooke S.L. Huntington & Co. with thanks the advice and counsel of David P. Dahl Russell Schertle David C. Dasch Schoenstein & Company Michael D. Friesen and Robert C. Davey Carl C. Schwartz Bynum Petty. Ronald E. Dean Jane Scharding Smedley Mr. and Mrs. Wesley Dudley St. Paul Cathedral Charles N. Eberline James M. Stark Fox Valley Chapter Martin F. Stempien of the American Guild Eric Talbot of Organists Michael J. Timinski Paul Fritts Kenneth W.Usher PUBLICATION DEADLINES John J. Geller Joseph A. Vitacco EDITORIAL ADVERTISING Kevin A. Grose Randall E. Wagner THE EDITORIAL DEADLINE IS CLOSING DATE FOR ALL ADVERTISING Will Headlee Camille P. Wagner THE FIRST OF THE MATERIAL IS THE 15TH OF THE Kent B. Hickman Richard B. Walker SECOND PRECEDING MONTH SECOND PRECEDING MONTH Hilbus Chapter of OHS James Wallmann April issue closes ��������������������� February 1 February 15 �����������������������for April issue Carl L. Hillyer James Weaver Charles H. Horton Richard E. Willson July issue closes ����������������������������May 1 May 15 �������������������������������for July issue John-Paul Buzard Pipe Gerald M. Womer October issue closes ������������������ August 1 August 15 ���������������������for October issue Organ Builders Lawrence A. Young † January issue closes ��������������November 1 November 15 �����������������for January issue

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 7 ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY Post Office Box 26811, Richmond, Virginia 23261 • 804-353-9226 • FAX: 804-353-9266 E-MAIL: [email protected] • WEB: www.organsociety.org • ONLINE CATALOG: www.ohscatalog.org

THE NATIONAL COUNCIL CONVENTIONS OFFICERS AND COUNCILORS Term Expires FINGER LAKES REGION, August 11–14, 2014 THE PIONEER VALLEY, June 28–July 2, 2015 William F. Czelusniak ...... president 2015 syracuse, new york springfield, massachusetts P.O. Box 60, Northampton, MA 01061 413-586-7600 [email protected] Ryan J. Boyle ~ [email protected] Roy D. Perdue ~ [email protected] PHILADELPHIA, June 26–July 1, 2016 Dan Clayton ...... vice president 2015 Frederick R. Haas & L. Curt Mangel 2 Wykagyl Road, Carmel, NY 10512 845-225-7515 [email protected] [email protected] Jeff Weiler ...... secretary 2015 1805 S. Michigan Ave., #1905 Chicago, IL 60616 312-842-7475 [email protected] ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY Allen Langord (ex officio) ...... treasurer appointed LIBRARY AND ARCHIVES 235 East Neshannock Ave., New Wilmington, PA, 16142 724-946-2235 [email protected] AT TALBOTT LIBRARY Westminster Choir College, 101 Walnut Lane, Princeton, NJ 08540 Willis Bridegam . . . .councilor for finance and development 2015 Bynum Petty ~ archivist 53 Memorial Drive, Amherst, MA 01002 413-253-9393 [email protected] 609-477-8758 ~ [email protected] James H. Cook ...... councilor for education 2015 Box 549033, Birmingham-Southern College, Birmingham, AL 35254 [email protected] HONORARY MEMBERS Jeffrey D. Dexter . . . councilor for organizational concerns 2017 †E. Power Biggs; †Joseph E. Blanton; E.A. Boadway P.O. Box 156, Orrville, OH 44667 800-416-7426 [email protected] †Alan Laufman; Barbara Owen; Orpha Ochse; †John Ogasapian Christopher Marks ...... councilor for archives 2017 Stephen L. Pinel; †Albert Robinson; †Albert Schweitzer 3022 Browning St., Lincoln, NE 68516 402-472-2980 [email protected] William T. Van Pelt; †Martin Vente; Randall E. Wagner; †F.R.Webber Daniel Schwandt ...... councilor for conventions 2015 1128 E. 54th Place, #1 Chicago, IL 60615 773.259.0774 [email protected] ADVERTISING IN THE TRACKER TBA ...... councilor for research and publications 2017 THE TRACKER, Journal of the Organ Historical Society, is pub- James Weaver (ex officio) ...... executive director lished four times a year. It is read by over 4,000 people who shape the P.O. Box 26811, Richmond, VA 23261 [email protected] course of the art and the science of the pipe organ. For nominal cost, you can support the publication of The Tracker and keep your name OHS HEADQUARTERS before these influential readers by advertising. For additional infor- Amanda R. Watson [email protected] . . . .Office Manager mation, contact us at [email protected]. Hilary N. Sauermann [email protected] . . . .CATALOG ASSISTANT MEMBERS MAY JOIN ANY ONE OF TEN CHAPTERS THE TRACKER CHAPTER NAME ����� FOUNDING DATE INQUIRIES Rollin Smith ...... editor 313 Fulton St., Westbury, NY 11590 [email protected] CHICAGO-MIDWEST ���������������� 1980 MIOHS, MICHIGAN ����������������� 1994 DEREK NICKELS CARL BALDUF Len Levasseur ...... pre-press and design Church of the Holy Comforter 1046 Coleman St. [email protected] 222 Kenilworth Ave. Ypsilanti, MI 48198-6308 Kenilworth, IL 60043 [email protected] Althea Frary ...... Advertising Manager [email protected] 413-586-7600 [email protected] EASTERN IOWA ���������������������� 1982 MID-HUDSON, NEW YORK ���� 1978 RODNEY LEVSEN STUART L. BALLINGER 221 Maple Street, P.O. Box 542 11 Lown Ct. Buffalo, IA 52728 Poughkeepsie, NY 12603-3321 COMMITTEE AND BOARD CHAIRS [email protected] [email protected] Alan Laufman Research Grant ...... James L. Wallmann HARMONY SOCIETY �������������� 1990 NEW ORLEANS ������������������������ 1983 Western PA & Ohio Valley RACHELEN LIEN Distinguished Service Award ...... Daniel Schwandt WALT ADKINS 476 First St. 1010 Nashville Avenue Endowment Fund Advisory Board ...... Willis Bridegam Heidelberg, PA 15106 New Orleans, LA 70115 [email protected] [email protected] E. Power Biggs Fellowship ...... Samuel Baker HILBUS ����������������������������������� 1970 PACIFIC-NORTHWEST ����������� 1976 Friends of the OHS Library and Archives ...... Willis Bridegam Washington-Baltimore DAVID DAHL CAROLYN BOOTH [email protected] Historic Organ Awards ...... Sebastian M. Glück [email protected]

OHS Library and Archives Governing Board . . . . . Christopher Marks MEMPHIS ��������������������������������� 1992 WISCONSIN ������������������������������ 1988 DENNIS S. WUJCIK PHYLLIS FRANKENSTEIN OHS Pipe Organ Database ...... James H. Cook 45 N. Belvedere #101 1253 Riverton Dr. Memphis, TN 38104-2517 Mukwanango, WI 53149 Publications Governing Board ...... TBA [email protected] [email protected]

THE TRACKER (quarterly) and the same rates. Add $15 for postage to by the International Index to Music Peri- ADVERTISEMENTS are paid and do not ORGAN ATLAS (annual) are published Canada or Mexico; $30 for delivery odicals, [email protected]. imply OHS endorsement. Advertising is by the Organ Historical Society, a non- outside North America; $10 for First not accepted for electronic substitutes for profit, educational organization. Class US delivery. EDITORIAL CORRESPONDENCE the organ. P.O. Box 26811, Richmond, VA 23261. 804-353-9226. www.organsociety.org. BACK ISSUES of The Tracker are available at may be addressed to the editor at THE ORGAN HISTORICAL $5 each, $18 per volume. Back issues of the [email protected]. Responsi- SOCIETY is not obligated to any ANNUAL MEMBERSHIP DUES annual Organ Atlas are $15.00 (2006-13). bility for facts and opinions expressed commercial interest. The Society will (includes The Tracker and the Organ The annual Organ Handbook (28 issues in articles rests with the authors and prevent or prosecute: 1) any use of Atlas): Regular Member $60; Age through 2005) are $5.00 each. Index to not with the Organ Historical Society. its material to imply endorsement or 65 or over $50; Age 25 or under $20; Volumes 1-33 is $7.50. Order at www. Material accepted for publication in discredit; 2) misuse of the name The Tracker Additional Member in household $45; ohscatalog.org/ohspress.html. The Tracker The Tracker and the Organ Atlas becomes or the Organ Atlas; 3) misuse of the name Contributor $100; Donor $250; Sponsor is indexed (Vols 32 to present, annually) ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY. The $500; Patron $1,000; Benefactor $2,500. in print and online by The Music Index, the property of the Organ Historical Tracker is a registered trademark. Payment over $33 is deductible as charitable www.harmonieparkpress.com/Musicin Society, and may not be reproduced in contribution. Institutions and businesses dex.asp. Also indexed (from Volume 37) whole or in part in any form without COPYRIGHT © 2014, Organ Historical may be members with no vote at the with abstracts on CD-ROM and online permission from the editor. Society, The Tracker ISSN: 0041-0330. WILLIAM F. CZELUSNIAK From the President

creased financial strength for routine operations, and oppor- How we will get there . . . tunities for greater return on invested funds. At the January National Council meeting, we used the Part the First: new rules within OHS Bylaws to fulfill the constituency of the Nominating Committee. Our Executive Director since Organizational Structure has charged this Committee with their task to summon will- ing members to election in 2015, for those Officers and Coun- cilors whose terms expire at that time. However, over the y now, the theme of these presidential letters should same working period, OHS membership will be offered a be apparent: recounting, considering, and steering new set of Bylaws to consider and to pass, for the prudent Bgently forward the evolution of the Organ Histori- restructuring of our organization. Then, fewer Officers and cal Society. The theme continues; and, the next installment, Councilors will be required; but the Bylaws Committee will Part the Second, will address membership involvement in the prepare a transition platform as well, so that everyone under- same process. stands the system, and how those members elected will serve. The responsibilities of my seat in this Society were clear In letters published previously in this place, I gave a fore- when I occupied it. I was not elected to reinvent the OHS, to shadowing of the need for new Bylaws. This need is a fact at send it off on some pioneering trajectory, nor to squander its several levels. The efficient operation of this organization is heritage. Rather, I have felt absolutely duty bound to carry hampered sometimes by the requirements of the existing By- forward and to fulfill, with calm and thoughtful leadership, laws, as were the ardent efforts of the Endowment Funds Ad- the objectives and designs for the OHS that were accepted visory Board to make the investment change to Wells Fargo. and endorsed by the collective wisdom and thorough con- Other complications and contradictions were identified in sensus of those good minds gathered at the Santa Fe strategic Burlington, Vermont, with ideas for corrections offered gen- planning retreat in February 2012. erously by Parliamentarian E. Marie Wilson, who continues The first firm decision reached in that Santa Fe review to consult for us in the Bylaws revision process. was that the OHS has been a membership society, and will re- Secondly, if we are going to reform the organizational main that way. The Society was founded by a vibrant band of chart of the OHS, that can happen only by rewriting the By- members, and formalized to engage, serve, and develop new laws to describe anew the positions of authority and the chain membership, all in the interest of the preservation of historic of command. National Council considers this change to be pipe organs in this country. It is that same membership, after necessary and of paramount importance to bring the daily op- all, that supports and accomplishes the Society’s activities. eration of the OHS more into line with an efficient, func- That original mission will not change; but other changes have tional, and manageable enterprise, removing some essential occurred, and will continue to occur, all in the best inter- and productive tasks from the hands of volunteer Councilors ests of strengthening the OHS for the long term. For the last who find themselves already fully occupied by day jobs, fami- two years’ time, your National Council has been on a steady lies, and church duties. course to enact the important resolutions made at the Santa Fe Thirdly, as we try to manage and conduct the finances retreat. Progress appears on several fronts. and the business of the Society currently, it is apparent that Through the years, certain members of the OHS have the existing Bylaws have come about, however thoughtfully been exceedingly generous to the organization, leaving sub- and carefully drafted, as layer upon layer of corrections to pre- stantial bequests for the support of the Society’s missions. vailing conditions or to challenges of power or control—fre- Since it is our responsibility to honor and manage those gifts quently reactionary, but rarely foresightful to the greater good to the best of our ability, I am pleased to report that the OHS of the order. Thus, the autonomous governing and funding recently consummated a formal agreement with Wells Fargo boards will be reconstituted as advisory committees—still for the attentive and strategic management of our endowment with certain value and volunteer participation – but bringing funds. This change, certainly important for better growth of full and critical financial management of the Society into a our precious nest egg, came about through very active and centralized chain of command and responsibility. careful study by the Endowment Fund Advisory Board, the Following the best practices in mature non-profit orga- Councilor for Finance and Development, and the Executive nizations, the National Council will continue its work as a Director, with an affirmative nod from National Council. group of reduced membership, acting as a Board of Direc- The Wells Fargo agreement already has brought significant tors over the managers of the Society, and selecting their own improvement to the fiscal standing of the Organ Historical leadership from within. The present position of Executive Society: improved credibility with members and donors, in- Director will be renamed President of the Society, with supe-

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 9 From the President CONT.

rior duties of growth and development, and with subordinates cluding changes, are being very thoroughly and carefully de- attending to more of the daily duties and routine business. bated, for best results. A Secretary of the corporation and a Treasurer will re- New Bylaws drafted will be scrutinized by our faithful main in force, of course, the latter with a chain of command Counsel, James L. Wallmann, and reviewed and endorsed by to the financial operations of the Society as a whole. This is National Council. Then we will publish the new Bylaws in only a sampling of the reorganization that is apparent already, the next issue of The Tracker (Vol. 58, No. 3) with explana- as the Bylaws Committee is still at work in much more detail. tions, and with a clear plan for members to vote online or by As part of these changes, there will remain equal opportunity mail. We hope that we can count upon your understanding, for members of the OHS to participate in the work of the So- your continuing support, and your vote for the new Bylaws. ciety – in elections, on committees, as volunteers, with com- It is mandatory that we achieve this progress and success to- mentary and suggestions, and as always, as donors and con- gether and in harmony, if all other parts of the vision for the tributors, and helping to organize and support the essential future are to be realized. annual conventions! Thus, the next steps in the growth and refinement of our The Officers, the National Council, and its committees beloved Society are crucial. The changes in governance, con- are hard at work to define a better path to secure the long- sonant with the movement of OHS toward a more effective term substance and strength of this Society, in order to carry and efficient nonprofit organization are desired eagerly by the out its mission with force and credibility, dare I say in per- National Council. Please join me with your positive support petuity. We take very seriously the future and success of the of new Bylaws for the OHS, as we build our future together OHS; and, all of our present efforts, however stressful for in- as the curators of the American pipe organ.

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THE NOACK ORGAN CO., INC. MAIN AND SCHOOL STREETS GEORGETOWN, MA 01833 Telephone 978 352-6266 www.noackorgan.com The East Texas Pipe Organ Festival 2013

GEORGE BOZEMAN JR.

he late lee malone and i, after attending the Hook Miller and Elizabeth Elsner, violist Ute Miller, and cellist Festival in Maine in 2010, decided that there should Craig Leffer performed Mendelssohn’s ultra serious Quar- Tbe a similar festival in East Texas centered on the tet in F Minor, Opus Posthumous 80. This was followed by iconic Aeolian-Skinner organs in First Presbyterian, Kilgore, a superb performance of Mozart’s Piano Concerto in E-flat and First Baptist, Longview. Lee made the suggestion to Lo- Major, K. 449, by pianist Ann Heiligman Saslav, a work com- renz Maycher, organist and director of music at Kilgore, who posed for string quartet and piano rather than orchestra. That had already considered such an event, but was inspired into evening we were treated to a recital with Charles Callahan action by Lee’s proposal. Lee attended the first festival in 2011 and Lorenz Maycher presiding over the organ at Kilgore’s and I in 2012. This year I returned and am pleased to report First Presbyterian in a program that included works by several that the festivals have been a resounding success and atten- of the founders of the American Guild of Organists as well dance has doubled. as music of Florence Price, Richard Purvis, Gordon Balch This year’s festival honored the life and work of Roy Nevin, Richard Keys Biggs, Roy Perry, Charles Callahan, Perry (1906–78), who presided over the 1949 Aeolian-Skin- and Leo Sowerby. ner in the First Presbyterian Church of Kilgore. His influence On Monday morning I played a short recital on the 1894 reached much further, including the design and tonal finish- Opus 100 Cole & Woodberry in the Chapel of Marvin United ing of all the Aeolian-Skinners heard in the festival. William Methodist Church of Tyler, Texas. I had done some restor- Teague, teacher at Centenary College and a concert organist ative work on this organ many years ago when it was still in who performed all over the world, was also a focus of our at- its original location at Saint Margaret’s Convent, Louisburg tention and appreciation. Square, in Boston, and it was completely transformed by Wa- In addition to performances of the highest caliber, fasci- tersmith Pipe Organs in 1992 for its installation here. That af- nating talks, and informative articles in the program books, ternoon I played another organ from my past, in the Chapel we were treated to excellent meals, starting with a catered of First Presbyterian Church in Tyler. It was built in 1965 by barbecue at the festival hotel Sunday evening. I missed the Robert L. Sipe, Inc., and, as an employee of that firm, I had a meal at Tyler’s Currents Restaurant in favor of some last min- hand in its design and construction. Following that, Scott G. ute practice for my program, but was able to enjoy the ex- Hayes played the large Casavant (cum Walker digital) organ travagantly delicious reception at First Presbyterian after Isa- in the main sanctuary of First Presbyterian, Tyler. belle Demers’s recital that evening. Shreveport regaled us at The official opening concert of the festival in East Texas Ristorante Giuseppe for lunch and Ernest’s Orleans Restau- was Monday evening at First Presbyterian, Kilgore. Isabelle rant for dinner. On Wednesday, Kilgore’s First Presbyterian Demers provided her usual gifts of brilliant technique, in- again provided lunch, featuring a delicious gumbo from Roy credible ear for color, and musical panache. She also proved Perry’s personal recipe. The evening meal was at the Chero- to be a delightful stand-up comedian and informed us, before kee Club with its peaceful view of Lake Cherokee. The last playing the Overture to Tannhäuser, that “Wagner isn’t as bad day’s lunch was in a handsome old Victorian house in Nacog- as he sounds!” doches and the final dinner was at Cace’s Seafood and Steak On Tuesday, we bussed to Shreveport, Louisiana, to hear House in Longview. Needless to say, I’m back on a strict diet Ken Cowan and Bradley Hunter Welch play works together as I write this! and separately on the large 1959 Aeolian-Skinner organ in Several “pre-festival” events started on November 10 at Saint Mark’s Cathedral that William Teague presided over the festival hotel when a string quartet with violinists Mark for so many years. Their program was brilliantly played and

12 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 THE EAST TEXAS PIPE ORGAN FESTIVAL 2013

richly explored the lovely colors of this organ. At Centenary College’s Brown Chapel, in honor of “Uncle Billy” Teague, Charles Callahan told us about Teague’s teacher, Alexan- der McCurdy, and his students. After this we were treated to some marvelous recollections by William Teague himself, which were peppered with high wit and total recall. This was followed by an unusual program by Teague’s son, Chandler Teague, percussionist, and Bruce Power, or- ganist. The percussive timbres were rich and varied, affording an experience organists don’t often encounter. We returned to Saint Mark’s for an evening recital by Tom Trenney that had some fine moments but was marred by excessive use of the “party horns.” On Wednesday, once again at First Presbyterian in Kilgore, Nathan Laube played a morning recital. I first heard him at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on an organ I thought I didn’t like until I heard him play it. He brought the same mastery of technique and musical insight to his program of Mendelssohn, Sowerby, Bach, and Liszt. In the afternoon, Joby Bell played on the small Aeolian- Skinner in Kilgore’s Saint Luke United Methodist Church. In spite of the rather dead acoustics this organ has an ex- traordinary richness of color and body. I especially enjoyed Bell’s performance of Daniel E. Gawthrop’s Three Floral Pre- ludes. Everything was played brilliantly from memory, includ- ing the fiendish pedal part of Sowerby’s Pageant. That eve- ning Brett Valliant provided a beautiful accompaniment for a screening of DeMille’s The King of Kings. On Thursday, we bussed to Nacogdoches to hear Charles Callahan play on the 1953 Aeolian-Skinner in the First Bap- tist Church. Although of modest size and totally enclosed, it is a warm and richly-colored organ. Callahan’s compositional style was described by the Washington Post as “gentle, confi- dent lyricism.” I think that described his playing as well. We returned to First Presbyterian in Kilgore to hear Jason Roberts, winner of the 2008 AGO Improvisation Com- petition. His program of Vivaldi-Bach, Dupré, Guillou, and Ravel was performed with consummate musicianship and skill. For an improvisation, he was handed three themes hon- oring Roy Perry including Perry’s Christos Paterakis and the Solemn Melody by Walford Davies. Roberts created beautiful music from these themes, including more than one excellent fugue. The festival concluded with our only visit this year to the majestic 1951 Aeolian-Skinner in Longview’s First Bap- tist Church. Thomas Trotter’s program of music by Bach, Schumann, Judith Weir, Wagner, and Eric Coates displayed a masterly-contrived exposition of this wonderful instrument’s Clockwise from top: Ken Cowan; George Bozeman and timbres, and the closing Reubke 94th Psalm put a superb cap Michael Barone; Chandler Teague; Bill Czelusniak and on this year’s festival. Traffic on Facebook indicates people are Carole B. Symonette; Charles Callahan; Nathan Laube and already committing to register for the 2014 festival. Larry Palmer; Ann Heiligman Saslav

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 13 A Temple of Commerce Soaps, Perfumes, Peanut Butter, and a Möller Organ

Inset: John D. Larkin BYNUM PETTY Larkin Administration Building, 1906

n 1803, the U.S. Congress enacted legislation leading to Between the founding of Ward’s and Sears’s, John D. the purchase of the Louisiana Territory from France. This Larkin (1845–1926) entered the soap-making business with Iact almost doubled the size of the U.S., and under Presi- his brother-in-law. Initially established in Buffalo, the two dent Thomas Jefferson, westward expansion was encouraged. partners moved to Chicago, where they remained for five Jefferson—himself a farmer—believed in the close associa- years. In 1875, Larkin returned to Buffalo, and established tion between virtue and farming, and set about to expand the his own soap-making company. Buffalo, like Chicago, had growth of the small farm in the newly acquired territory. By excellent rail facilities and was second only to Chicago as a 1840, 40 percent of the country’s population lived west of the meatpacking center where animal fat, necessary for soap- Appalachian Mountains; and by 1890, more than 60 percent making, was plentiful. His first soap products, Sweet Home and of Americans lived in rural areas. Crème Oatmeal, were sold through the conventional wholesale With the westward expansion of railroads, rural inhabit- system. In 1885, Larkin eliminated all middlemen and began ants had easier access to goods produced in the East, bringing selling directly to the public. The company’s motto was about the birth of mail-order; and it was Aaron Montgom- “from factory-to-family: save all cost which adds no value.” ery Ward (1843–1913) who was the first to come up with the By 1900, the company was selling soaps, perfumes, furniture, idea of offering direct mail-order service to rural America. spices, coffee, peanut butter, paint, and china. In 1903, the In 1872, Montgomery Ward & Company was established in company was receiving 3,000 orders a day from customers; Chicago, and 163 items were listed for sale in his first cata- thus, it was apparent that a larger office building was needed logue. About 20 years later, a competing catalogue company to handle the increasing number of orders. was founded by Richard Warren Sears (1863–1914). Origi- Despite his young age and radical creations, Frank nally known as the R.W. Sears Watch Company, he moved Lloyd Wright (1867–1959) was chosen to design Larkin’s his business to Chicago in 1887 and, in 1893, co-founded new administration building. Completed in 1905, the air- Sears, Roebuck & Company with his first employee, Alvah conditioned, hermetically sealed, fire-proof building was C. Roebuck (1864–1948). home to 1,800 administrators and clerical employees. The open

14 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 LARKIN ADMINISTRATION BUILDING SWELL (6ʺ wind pressure) SOLO (12ʺ wind pressure) Buffalo, New York All ranks 73 pipes unless indicated. All ranks 61 pipes unless indicated. 53. 16 Contra Viole 130. 8 Stentorophone M.P. Möller, Op. 4335 (1925) 54. 16 Bourdon 131. 8 Philomela 55. 8 Diapason Phonon 132. 8 Tibia Clausa GREAT (7ʺ and 12ʺ wind pressure) 56. 8 Open Diapason 133. 8 Gross Gamba All ranks 61 pipes unless indicated. 57. 8 Violin Diapason 134. 8 Gross Gamba Celeste 1. 16 Double Diapason 58. 8 Gedeckt 135. 8 Major Violin 2. 16 Tibia Clausa 59. 8 Flauto Dolce Celeste (146 pipes) 136. 4 Hohl Pfeife 3. 8 1st Diapason 60. 8 Harmonic Flute 137. 8 French Trumpet 4. 8 2nd Diapason 61. 8 Viole d’Orchestre 138. 8 Major Vox Humana 5. 8 3rd Diapason 62. 8 Viole d’Orchestre Celeste (61 pipes) 139. 8 Cor Anglais 6. 8 4th Diapason 63. 8 Salicional 140. 16 Tuba Profunda (97 pipes) 7. 8 Gross Flute (73 pipes) 64. 8 Salicional Celeste 141. 8 Tuba Mirabilis (from No. 140) 8. 8 Gross Gedeckt (73 pipes) 65. 8 Viole d’Gamba 142. 4 Tuba Clarion (from No. 140) 9. 8 Fern Flute (73 pipes) 66. 8 Viole d’Gamba Celeste (61 pipes) 143. Marimba (single stroke) 10. 8 Flute Celeste II (146 pipes) 67. 4 Principal 144. Marimbaphone (repeat stroke on No. 143) 11. 8 Violoncello (73 pipes) 68. 51/3 Gemshorn (61 pipes) Tremulant 12. 8 Cello Celeste (73 pipes) 69. 4 Violina 13. 8 Gemshorn (73 pipes) 70. 22/3 Flute Twelfth (61 pipes) PEDAL 14. 8 Gemshorn Celeste (73 pipes) 71. 4 Rohr Flute 145. 64 Gravissima (Nos. 146 and 147) 15. 4 Octave 72. 2 Flageolet (61 pipes) 146. 32 Double Diapason (32 pipes) 16. 4 Flute Harmonic 73. Dulciana Mixture V (305 pipes) 147. 32 Contra Bourdon (56 pipes) 1/3 17. 5 Solo Flute 74. 16 Posaune 148. 16 1st Diapason (32 pipes) 18. 2 Fifteenth 75. 8 Oboe 149. 16 2nd Diapason (44 pipes 2/3 19. 2 Twelfth 76. 8 Cornopean 150. 16 3rd Diapason (No. 1) 20. Cornet V (305 pipes) 77. 4 Clarion 151. 16 Violone 21. 16 Double Trumpet (85 pipes) 78. 8 Vox Humana 152. 16 Contra Viole (No. 53) 22. 8 Trumpet (ext. 21, (73 notes) 79. Chimes (Gt.) 153. 16 Tibia Clausa (No. 2) 23. 8 Tromba (73 pipes) 80. Orchestral Bells (49 bars, repeat stroke) 154. 16 Bourdon (No. 147) 24. 4 Clarion (73 pipes) 81. Glockenspiel (single stroke on no. 80) 155. 16 Lieblich Gedeckt (No. 54) o 2 25. Chimes (g –e , 25 tubes) Tremulant 156. 8 Bass Flute (ext. No. 147) 26. 8 Harp (t.c. 13–73, 61 bars) SWELL CHORUS (duplexed from Great Chorus) 157. 8 Octave Bass (ext. No. 149) 27. 4 Harp (ext. 26, 1–61) SWELL DUPLEX (from Solo) 158. 8 Gross Gedeckt (No. 8) 28. 8 Piano (73 notes)* 98. 2 Philomela 159. 8 Cello (Nos. 11 and 12) 29. 4 Piano (73 notes)* 99. 8 Gross Gamba 160. 4 Flute (No. 7) Tremulant 100. 8 Gross Gamba Celeste 161. 102/3 Quint (ext. No. 147) * Chickering Ampico Grand, largest size 101. 8 Major Violin 162. 32 Bombard 102. 4 Hohl Pfeife 163. 16 Trombone GREAT CHORUS (7ʺ and 15ʺ wind pressure) 103. 8 French Trumpet 164. 16 Posaune (No. 74) percussion stops all 49 notes 104. 8 Cor Anglais 165. 16 Tuba Profunda (No. 140) All ranks 73 pipes unless indicated Tremulant 166. 8 Tuba Mirabilis (ext. No. 140) 30. 8 Choral Diapason 167. 4 Tuba Clarion (ext. No. 140) 31. 8 Violin II (134 pipes) CHOIR (6ʺ wind pressure; Nos. 120 and 122, 12ʺ) 168. 8 Tromba (No. 23) 32. 8 Cello II (134 pipes) All ranks 73 pipes unless indicated. 169. 16 Trumpet (ext. No. 21) 33. 8 Tibia Plena 105. 16 Quintadena 170. 16 Piano (No. 28) 34. 8 Major Tibia Clausa 106. 8 English Diapason 171. 8 Piano (No. 28) 2/3 35. 2 Salicional Quint (61 pipes) 107. 8 Geigen Principal 172. Chimes (No. 25) 36. 4 Suabe Flute 108. 8 Concert Flute PEDAL CHORUS 37. 2 Solo Piccolo 109. 8 Flute Celeste (61 pipes) 173. 16 Open Diapason 38. 8 Harmonic Tuba 110. 8 Quintadena 174. 8 Tibia Plena.(No. 33) 39. 8 Harmonic Trumpet 111. 8 Mezzo Violin 175. 16 Bourdon (44 pipes) 40. 8 English Post Horn 112. 8 Violin Celeste (61 pipes) 176. 8 Flute (No. 175) 41. 8 Major Vox Humana 113. 4 Flute d’Amour 177. 8 Cello (No. 32) 42. Marimba (single stroke) 114. 4 Dulciana 178. 16 Tuba (12 pipes, ext. No. 38) 43. Marimbaphone (repeat stroke on 42) 115. 2 Harmonic Piccolo 179. 8 Tuba (No. 38) 44. Orchestral Bells (repeat stroke) 116. 22/3 Nazard (61 pipes) 45. Glockenspiel (single stroke on 44) 117. 11/5 Tiercena (61 pipes) Usual couplers. Tremulant 118. 11/3 Larigot (61 pipes) Sub and Super couplers on second touch. GREAT DUPLEX (from Choir) 119. 8 Clarinet All Swells to Swell Pedal. Reversible piston. 46. 8 Concert Flute (No. 108) 120. 8 French Horn Piano Expression Pedal and Sustaining Pedal. 47. 8 Flute Celeste (No. 109) 121. 8 Musette 48. 8 Dulciana (No. 122) 122. 8 Orchestral Oboe 49. 8 French Horn (No. 120) 123. 8 Dulciana 50. 8 Orchestral Oboe (No. 122) 124. 8 Unda Maris 51. 4 Flute d’Amour (No. 113) 125. 8 Dulciana Celeste 52. 8 Musette (No. 121) 126. 8 Unda Maris(61 pipes) Tremulant 127. 8 Dulciana Celeste(61 pipes) 128. 4 Harp (from No. 26) 129. 8 Harp (ext.) Tremulant

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 15 A TEMPLE OF COMMERCE: SOAPS, PERFUMES, PEANUT BUTTER, AND A MÖLLER ORGAN

Frank Lloyd Wright’s sketch of Möller organ, Op. 4335, Alexander O. Levy’s organ case the building interior in the Larkin atrium interior contained a five-story, 76-foot tall atrium surrounded entertaining Larkin employees with Christmas music. Six by office space. A kitchen and employee dining room occupied weeks later, John Larkin died at the age of 81. the top floor and there was also space for classrooms and a The organ occupied the fourth and fifth floors of the light branch of the Buffalo Public Library. In egalitarian fashion, court and stood behind a magnificent case designed by Alex- administrative personnel had no individual offices, and ander O. Levy (1881–1947), a German-born Buffalo artist who worked alongside clerical employees in the open space of the was the art director for the Larkin Company. Below the im- first floor, a management plan embraced with great success by post and incorporated into the facade was Levy’s mural paint- Michael Bloomberg, the 108th mayor of New York City. ing, The Spirit of Music. He also painted other murals located Because of his religious background, John Larkin main- throughout the administration building. tained a paternalistic relationship with his employees, with The large symphonic instrument, with an astonishing over 60 percent being young, single women; and for their ben- amount of foundation tone—three 32s, fifteen 16s, sixty-six efit, the company created its own branch of the YWCA. Lar- 8s and twelve 4s—and abundant solo color, was controlled kin provided his employees with paid vacations, thrift plans, by a four-manual console located in a pit on the atrium floor. and life insurance. His greatest gesture towards his workforce Möller’s Solo-Symphonist self-player mechanism was built was the installation of a pipe organ. On April 24, 1925, Lar- into the console, and the Chickering concert-grand piano was kin signed a contract with M.P. Möller to build a large four- fitted with an Ampico player device. Later, the Solo-Sym- manual organ and locate it high above one end of the central phonist was replaced with a free-standing Artiste player, for atrium. On Christmas Eve 1925, the organ was given its first which 100 music rolls were provided. Friday noontime recit- public hearing with William J. Gomph, a Buffalo organist, als were given by local organists, and nationally-known play-

16 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 A TEMPLE OF COMMERCE: SOAPS, PERFUMES, PEANUT BUTTER, AND A MÖLLER ORGAN

ers, including Rollo F. Maitland, Clarence Dickinson, Pietro Yon, and Alexander McCurdy, all of whom were invited to play recitals on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Of these, Dickinson’s program of May 2, 1929, stands as a monument of erudite en- lightenment. Sponsored by the Buffalo chapter of the Ameri- can Guild of Organists, the concert was entitled “The Im- mortality of Teaching, 1429–1929, Through Five Centuries an Unbroken Line of Teacher and Pupil,” in which Dickinson demonstrated the 500-year apostolic succession from teacher to student, from John Dunstable to Dickinson himself. The Larkin Company did not survive the Great Depres- sion, and the City of Buffalo ordered Frank Lloyd Wright’s building razed because of unpaid back taxes. The building was destroyed in 1950 to make way for a truck stop that never materialized. Like the building, Möller’s Opus 4335, too, suf- fered an ignominious fate. Before the building was demol- ished, Herman Schlicker bought the organ for $6,000, and broke it up for parts. The destruction of Wright’s building ranks among America’s worst man-made architectural disas- ters, and the same could be said of the Möller organ.

Clarence Dickinson’s recital leaflet

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 17 Scattered leaves ... from our Notebook Great congregational We recommend this fine new book filled with practical advice from outstanding practitioners of singing doesn't The Art of Accompaniment ju happen. It takes leaders who are centered and skilled. Come see some of the be in the world teach their cra.

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   You are invited to exchange ideas with  ned composers, innovative music leaders,    and accomplished educators  in an environment of sung faith  and ecumenical hospitality.     Join world-class masterclasses led by John Bell, Andrew Donaldson, Suzi Byrd, Jorge Lockward, Jan Kraybill, Greg Scheer, Ben Brody and Raymond Wise.

Attend enlightening plenary talks by Christopher Anderson, Marcia McFee and Marilyn Houser Hamm.

Participate in hymn festivals led by John Bell, Swee Hong Lim, Chi Yi Chen, Eric Wall, Amanda Powell A NEW and Jorge Lockward. PUBLICATION BY ROLLIN SMITH Regier now: www.thehymnsociety.org SUBSCRIBE ON-LINE www.organsociety.org/ohspress/ the Great—were expressive.) All three organs were unique from other builder’s work of this decade in having 61-note manual and 30-note pedal compasses. Those familiar with the work of Johnson & Son during the 1890s, recognize the work of the firm from this period as equal or superior to the finest In The Tracker work being done by any American organbuilder. It has long been speculated that the younger Johnson’s commitment to 50 Years Ago quality and his refusal to incorporate new and potentially un- reliable forms of tubular- and electropneumatic action led to a steadily declining number of orders, and in 1898, the doors of SCOT L. HUNTINGTON the firm were closed after building one last large and elegantly crafted instrument for St. Paul’s German Lutheran Church in VOLUME 8, NO. 3, SPRING 1964 Chicago—a city that long favored Johnson instruments over all others. The Johnson opus list, meanwhile, continued with the years 1861–62. he cover story described the upcoming national OHS Recordings Supervisor F. Robert Roche an- convention, June 30–July 3 in the Washington D.C., nounced the release of a new Archives Series available to Tarea. Only two concerts were held in the city itself members only—four-track stereo, reel-to-reel recordings of while the bulk of the convention took place in the environs, selected convention concerts in their entirety. The newly-re- from Alexandria to Baltimore. Of the 22 venues visited dur- leased slide-sound program had been shown to a record num- ing this convention, only three were revisited by the OHS ber of AGO chapters and New York’s St. Wilfrid Club since in 2011, although some were revisited in the Baltimore area its premiere at the Portland, Maine, convention the previous during the 1991 convention. The registration fee was $15, and summer. Michael Anthony Loris described the large three- travel on the optional day (as it was into the early 1980s), was manual tubular-pneumatic Kimball organ at St. Mark’s Ca- by private car. The convention opened at the National Cathe- thedral in Seattle, soon to be replaced with D.A. Flentrop’s dral where the 1938 Ernest M. Skinner had been updated with magnum opus. Elizabeth Towne described a ca. 1888 II/11 new additions by Aeolian-Skinner the previous year. This was Moline in the Mayflower Congregational Church in Sioux quite a different instrument then that heard by convention at- City, Iowa. The nominating committee’s slate for the upcom- tendees in 2011. ing election was presented, along with two amendments to A late-notice obituary also appeared on the cover, noting the by-laws: the first added the recording Supervisor and so- the sudden December 27, 1963, passing of Frederick R. Web- ciety archivist as voting members of the national council, and ber, one of the founders of the OHS and, at the time, one of the second changed the voting procedure for by-law amend- only two Honorary Members, the other being Albert Sch- ments. The editorial was a polite but pointed response to a weitzer. Webber was one of the most prolific organ historians critical letter from an unnamed member who chastened the of his day. His articles appeared regularly in the pages of the editor for his earlier editorial—reprinted in its entirety in the The Tracker, and he was regarded as the foremost authority Winter 2014 issue of The Tracker because of the continued on the history of the antique American pipe organ, a passion timeliness of its message. Among a host of issues, the mem- aroused by his visit as a child to hear what was then the larg- ber’s letter called the editor to task for the quality of arti- est organ in the world at the Louisiana Purchase Exposition in cles and incorrect details being published therein. The editor 1904, the same instrument now forming the core of the great chastised the letter’s author for so easily and harshly criticiz- Wanamaker organ at Macy’s flagship store in Philadelphia. ing the work of others while contributing neither articles nor The five-part serialized history of the Johnson organ corrections of their own. Fifty years later, the more things company, written in 1948 as a doctoral thesis by journal editor change, the more they stay the same. . . . Kenneth Simmons, concluded in this issue. Three specifica- Finally in the “news” column, notice was made of a new tions of sizeable three-manual instruments were represented: tracker organ of three manuals for King’s Chapel, Boston, by “No. 24” printed by Johnson & Son and sent to prospec- C.B. Fisk. An article in the Boston Herald noted the flames of tive purchasers, Opus 738 (1890) for Smith College Hall, controversy surrounding the recent decision by Harvard Uni- Northampton, Mass. (an organ unique in having string stops versity (heatedly unpopular with a local group of organists) to as the double on both the Great and Choir divisions), and Opus replace the large Aeolian-Skinner organ in Memorial Church 790 for Third Presbyterian Church, Rochester, New York. with a new mechanical-action instrument, and an announce- (In a nod to the work of the Roosevelt family, both Swell and ment of a fund drive to restore the Brattle Organ at St. John’s Choir divisions—the latter also containing the upperwork of Church, Portsmouth, N.H. (America’s oldest pipe organ).

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 19 Archives Corner BYNUM PETTY

Chicago: A Fair City charge of designing the fair park. The neoclassical buildings were painted he first world’s fair took Christopher Columbus’s discovery of white, leading to the fair grounds place in London from May to the New World in 1493, and it also being called The White City, a moni- TOctober 1851. Better known boasted a larger-than-life exhibit hall. ker many found offensive. as the Crystal Palace Exhibition, the Several cities—New York, St. Louis, Located on the shore of Lake Great Exhibition of the Works of In- Chicago, and Washington, D.C.,—ex- Michigan in Chicago’s Southside, the dustry of all Nations was a response to pressed interest in hosting the fair as World’s Fair opened on May 1, 1893. the successful French Industrial Ex- early as 1880, but Congress voted in Dominating the Exposition grounds position of 1844, and was intended to Chicago’s favor because of an unprec- was the Manufacturers and Liberal Arts solidify Great Britain as the world’s edented effort to raise large sums of Building, created by George B. Post, industrial super-power. The build- money to fund the project. The na- who also designed the New York Stock ing designed to house the exhibit was tion’s best architectural firms were Exchange Building. At 1,687 feet long, known as the Crystal Palace, an enor- chosen—one for each building, and 787 feet wide and 245 feet high, the mous cast-iron and glass structure Frederick Law Olmsted was given the Liberal Arts Building covered 44 acres, measuring 1,851 feet in length by 454 feet wide. Only two years later, a former col- ony challenged the British hegemony with its own fair: Exhibition of the In- dustry of All Nations in New York City. Located on 42nd Street between Fifth and Sixth avenues—now Bry- ant Park—this fair, too, was housed in a larger-than-life cast-iron and glass building—The New York Crystal Pal- ace—itself being destroyed by fire in 1858. The world’s fair of 1893—known as the World’s Columbian Exposi- tion—was organized to celebrate

20 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 Archives Corner

OPPOSITE the fair grounds known as Rainbow The Swell Mixture III contained one Left: Aerial view of the Columbian City. The Hall of Religion building rank of pipes (22/3ʹ), with the other two Exposition was painted in chalk white with ac- voices being borrowed from the Flau- Right: Pilcher Columbian Exposition cent portions in bright red, green, and tina and Tierce. The 32ʹ Pedal Lleno brochure cover blue. To further distance itself from the Fundamento was a thunderous concoc- Bottom: Manufacturers and Liberal Arts White City of 1893, buildings of the tion combining three 16-foot stops— Building, Columbian Exposition fair were in modern Art Deco style, Diaphone, Gamba, and Bourdon— contrasting with the neoclassical archi- and their extensions into a chord—the tecture of the Columbian Exposition. dominant ninth— yet, organists were enough space to accommodate 250,000 In late November 1932, M.P. Möller not favorably impressed.4 people. In the southeast end of the Sr. learned that a Hall of Religion On June 11, 1933, the 600-seat building, Henry Pilcher’s Sons set up a would be erected on the fairgrounds, Hall of Religion and its Möller organ three-manual encased organ that was and he immediately laid out his proposal were dedicated. The two-hour pro- dwarfed by the building. The instru- for an organ in the building. gram began with four 30-minute organ ment would have been equally as effec- recitals played by prominent Chi- tive had it been placed outdoors.1 Our proposition is that we will cago-area organists—Edwin Stanley Despite its disadvantaged location, put [an] organ in your auditorium, a Seder (First Congregational Church, three-manual organ costing $10,000 the organ was well received and was Oak Park), Stanley Martin (St. Mark’s or more, with the privilege that there given the highest awards by the Ex- should be no charge for us, when Church, Evanston), Ralph Gerber position judges. Both Clarence Eddy the instrument is not in use, to ex- (Temple Sinai, Chicago), and Arthur and Alexandre Guilmant played recit- hibit it to our customers and to adver- Dunham (Chicago Temple).5 Dur- als on the organ, and enthusiastically tise therefrom; that we will have our ing the next six days, another series name as builders of the organ on every endorsed it. At the end of the Fair, the program and all advertising material of recitals was given, including one organ was purchased by Trinity Epis- that goes out from this religious build- by Porter W. Heaps, who two years copal Church, Pittsburgh, and an iden- ing, and also that we have the privi- later would embrace the new technol- tical copy was ordered by St. Paul’s lege to display an advertising card or ogy of the Hammond electronic organ Episcopal Church, Louisville. our name on the organ and circulate and tour the country giving seminars, our literature from it, the Exposition Tonally, the organ was an excep- Company to furnish light and power.2 demonstrations, and recitals on the tionally fine instrument, with a com- new invention. plete principal chorus on the Great, It was understood that the Hall When the Century of Progress and an unusually large Pedal depart- of Religion would be the only build- Exposition closed, Möller’s Opus 6143 ment. Mechanically, the organ was an ing on the fairgrounds with a pipe was renumbered as Opus 6244 and example of all things modern, with tu- organ, and Kilgen had been promised moved to Seabury-Western Theologi- bular-pneumatic key- and stop-action, the right to install an organ of their cal Seminary in nearby Evanston. pneumatic windchests, tubular-pneu- make in the hall. Eventually Kilgen Yet another exhibition was to fol- matic couplers, and an adjustable pneu- was pushed aside and Möller won the low, and Chicago was the successful matic combination action—all bearing contract.3 bidder to host the 1992 World’s Fair, Pilcher patents. A Ross water motor Even though Richard O. the last planned for the United States; pumped the bellows. Whitelegg had established himself two but, because of the financial disaster Forty years later, Chicago was host years earlier as a credible tonal direc- of the Louisiana World Exposition in city for another world’s fair: A Century tor at the Möller factory, manage- 1984, Chicago withdrew its offer. of Progress International Exposition, ment thought it better to design the In the end, both Chicago and opening on May 27, 1933. The exposi- organ without his imprimatur. Heav- Möller set new standards of capitalis- tion buildings were multi-colored, and ily unified, the number of borrowed tic exuberance in the marketplace with and extended stops were more numer- the Fair of 1933, one that neither was 1. The Pilcher was not the only organ exhibited at the fair, as Farrand & Votey installed a four- ous than the actual number of ranks. ever to duplicate. manual, 71-rank instrument in the 6,000-seat Fes- tival Hall. See Rollin Smith, “The 1893 World’s 2. M.P. Möller to Frederick Thielbar, November 4. L.B. Buterbaugh to M.P. Möller, October 6, Columbian Exposition in Chicago,” in Organ His- 25, 1932. Organ Historical Society Library and 1933. OHSL&A. torical Society Organ Atlas 2012, Chicago—The City Archives, Princeton, N.J. 5. A Century of Progress Dedication Ceremony of Big Sounds, ed. Stephen Schnurr (Richmond: 3. Gertrude Maleski to E.O. Schulenberger, Janu- (Chicago: Committee on Progress Through OHS Press, 2012), 24–25. ary 14, 1933. OHSL&A. Religion, 1933).

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 21 An International Monthly Devoted to the Organ, Harpsichord, Carillon and Church Music

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HILBUS OHS CHAPTER NEW ORLEANS OHS CHAPTER Its demise makes us pause to wonder if it is prudent to fight so Hilbus Chapter hard to leave these important his- of the Organ HistOrical sOciety toric organs in their buildings. Looking at New England, it ap- Where the TrackerAction is! pears that old organs have been moved around constantly. There is a lesson here for us as we mourn Paul Roeder prepared an Anne Arun- Linda Fulton wrote an excellent over- this tragedy: To remove the organ is to preserve it. del county Liturgical Organ Tour view of the OHS 2013 national con- for Saturday, January 25, 2014. In the vention in the Fall 2013 issue of The Stephen Pinel discovered a brief morning the group visited St. Martin- SwellShoe. On Sunday, June 2, Rob- article in the November 12, 1842, issue in-the-Field Episcopal Church with its ert Zanca, chapter president, played an of the Newark (New Jersey) Advertiser II/28 Schantz organ, installed in 2008. all-Bach recital on the 1972 Schlicker concerning “The First Church Organ In the afternoon, the first stop was organ at St. Paul Lutheran Church in Ever Built in New Orleans:” at St. John Neumann R.C. Church in the Bywater Neigborhood of New Or- Mr. J.W. Poul of N.O. is now Annapolis, Md. The II/25 Casavant, leans. The loss of the 1910 nine-rank constructing at his manufactory on Op. 2414, was built in 1957 for the Henry Pilcher’s Sons Opus 708 was re- Carondelet street a large organ for First Methodist Church in Normal, Il- ported. The church had been closed the old Cathedral. It will be when linois, and installed in St. John’s by since 2008, but OHS members had been finished a very heavy and powerful Meloni and Ferrier of New York City. unsuccessful in obtaining information instrument. or access to the organ. When it was fi- While Carondelet Street still ex- nally sold and members got into the ists, nothing is known of organbuilder GEORGETOWN UNIVERSITY ORGAN building, it was found that van- J.W. Poul or of any organ to have come FEATURED AT SCHOENSTEIN OPEN HOUSE dals had stolen all the pipework. from his manufactory. Benicia, Calif.—The new three-manual 19-rank REDEDICATION CONCERT organ to be installed at Georgetown Univer- A rededication concert will be held on June 7, 2014, to welcome sity in January 2014 was demonstrated for over home Trinity Episcopal Church’s 1823 Thomas Hall organ recently 100 people at an Open House Christmas Party restored by S.L. Huntington & Co. of Stonington, Connecticut. in the Schoenstein Benicia plant. The organ, fea- Trinity Church is located in the Milton section of Litchfield, turing Schoenstein’s double expression system, Connecticut. The organ is the oldest American-built organ in the state. It was fully playable and assembled in the erect- was originally built for St. Michael’s, Litchfield, and was acquired by Trinity ing room exactly as it will be in the Dahlgren at auction in 1863. In 1858, a swell box and 13-note coupled pedal were Chapel at the university. Twelve members of the added, which compromised the instrument’s effectiveness and reliability. As founding Schoenstein family attended and the part of Huntington’s restoration carried out according to the revised O.H.S. highlight of the day was a presentation of a pair Guidelines for Conservation, these additions were reversed, returning the of fine oil paintings of the firm’s founder, Felix organ to it’s original 1823 condition. For more information on date and F. Schoenstein, and his wife. The portraits, in time, call 860-868-0739 or visit www.slhorgans.com. matching frames, were painted in 1915 and will become the centerpieces of the new Schoenstein & Co. archives. They were a gift of fourth genera- tion organbuilder Bertram Schoenstein. The ar- chives, which has been added to the factory build- ing, is devoted to the history of the Schoenstein firm from its beginnings in Germany in the mid- 19th century.

Right: Bertram Schoenstein surrounded by eleven members of Above: The historic 1928 the Schoenstein family presents paintings of the firm’s founder Felix F. Schoenstein & Sons and his wife to Jack Bethards, president of the company. San Francisco plant

24 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 BLACKSTONE VALLEY Michael A. Morvan (508) 278-9762 PIANO AND ORGAN www.pianoandorgankeys.com ADVANCING THE ART OF KEYBOARD RESTORATION MANUAL KEYBOARD SERVICES TO THE TRADE • HISTORICALLY CORRECT RESTORATION • NEW KEYS FOR EXISTING FRAMES OF VINTAGE MANUAL KEYBOARDS IN AND CHEEKS, PRESERVING THE IVORY, BONE, PLASTICS, AND EXOTIC INSTRUMENTS’ AUTHENTICITY WOODS • REBUSHING, REPINNING, CLEANING, • NEW MANUAL KEYBOARDS AND BUFFING, AND REPAIRS FRAMES TO THE CLIENT’S • CUSTOM CNC SERVICES: CHEST PARTS, SPECIFICATIONS, TRACKER OR GRILLE SCREENS, PRIMARY BLOCKS, ELECTRO-PNEUMATIC ACTIONS CONSULTING AND PROTOTYPING

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RECORDINGS dering if that experience was useful to the only other recordings of Heiller them in planning the Duisburg instru- in my collection—his marvelous Hin- ment. However, the Hook didn’t in- demith Sonatas recorded on the origi- fluence them in one aspect: it is largely nal Fisk organ at Harvard Memorial cone-tuned whereas photographs in Church, and an LP that he shares with the booklet for this CD show many ex- Gaston Litaize in improvisations feting pertly fitted tuning slides in the Duis- the opening of the Marcussen organ at burg organ. I’m curious to know why. the Linzer Dom in Austria. (When I The grandest English Town Hall had lessons with Heiller in 1967 he told organ is not in England at all, but me he was going to Boston to play on rather is the astounding 1890 William the new Fisk at Harvard. I had taken Hill & Son organ in Sydney Town photographs of the organ before sailing Hall, Australia. I couldn’t resist dig- for Vienna and showed them to Heiller, ging out Robert Ampt’s CD for a com- who seemed rather unimpressed. parison. My instinct says both record- When he returned I asked him what he ings give a good impression of the re- thought of the Harvard Fisk. “One of English Town Hall Organ, Ro- spective organs. My verdict is that the the great organs of the world,” he said.) land Maria Stanger at the Eule Duisburg organ has many beautiful Steinbach is a great proponent for organ of Philharmonie Duisburg. voices and its ensembles are well-knit new organ music and has performed Acousence Records ACO10710. and nicely balanced, but the Sydney widely. He teaches at Brown Univer- www.acousence.de. The current organ is simply extraordinary in every sity in Providence and is director of German infatuation with the sound way. Nevertheless, if you’re a fan of music at St. Paul’s Church in Wick- of Romantic organ music on Roman- Romantic organs, you need the Duis- ford, Rhode Island. He received a Ful- tic organs has taken some fascinating burg CD in your collection. bright to study at the Hochschule für forms. While there are some surviv- Roland Maria Stangler presents an Musik in Vienna with Heiller student, ing instruments of this ilk, such as the interesting program of Holst, Handel, Peter Planyavsky, and for his master’s monumental 1905 Sauer in the Berlin Vierne, Frank Bridge, Elgar, Franck, and doctoral degrees from Eastman he Dom, the 1871 Ladegast in Schwerin and a concluding Grand Choeur by studied organ with David Craighead Cathedral, or the 1878 Walcker in Vi- Zsolt Gárdonyi. Herr Stangler also in- and harpsichord with Arthur Haas. enna’s Votivkirche, many have fallen cludes some pleasant improvisations on The organ music of Anton Heiller victim to replacement or destruc- “Strings,” “Diapasons,” “Flutes,” and is by no means “easy listening.” He was tion in wars. This was a strong mo- “Reeds.” an extremely serious man, although he tive for the import of the 1870 E. & also enjoyed good food, good wine, G.G. Hook from Woburn, Mass., to Organ Works of Anton Heiller, Mark and good company. All of the music the Heilig-Kreuz-Kirche in Berlin, and Steinbach, organist, on the 1962 on this disk requires careful listen- it has gained many devoted fans for its von Beckerath organ in Saint Paul ing, preferably in several takes and American slant on Romantic timbres. Cathedral, Pittsburgh. Loft Re- repetitions, because new beauties and Nearby Potsdam has a beguiling in- cordings LRCD-1116. When I saw richnesses appear with each hearing. strument completed by Woehl in 2004 who was playing on this CD I knew that very successfully blends both Ger- a treat was in store. Mark Steinbach man and French Romantic concepts. has entranced us at several OHS con- There must be many other examples ventions, and most recently at St. Co- of new organs striving to meet the re- lumba’s Episcopal Church in Wash- quirements of Romantic literature, but ington, D.C., on a delightful Flen- the new Eule organ for the concert hall trop on which he played with total in Duisburg is still another unusual aplomb modern music by Philip Glass wrinkle in this genre: an attempt to en- and Anton Heiller. Interestingly, the compass the style of a late Romantic Heiller variations on “Nun komm’ der era English Town Hall organ. Heiden Heiland” he played there are Because the Eule firm restored the not included on this CD. Steinbach’s Berlin Hook organ, I can’t help won- recording is a wonderful addition to

26 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 Reviews

The recording opens with the 1970 ing with amazing reverberation that I must also commend the recording Tanz Toccata, surely his most popular Heiller exploits with exciting mas- engineer, Roger W. Sherman. Mark organ work. Its opening is an exam- tery. It opens with grand chordal clus- Steinbach told me that many takes were ple of Heiller’s unique sense of color— ters that suggest the clanging of great required because of outside noises, even the sound of the Vox Humana with bells. The Nachspiel closes with some late at night. Sherman has somehow tremulant underpinning the exciting incredibly loud and dissonant chords, managed to capture a detailed image rhythms! Although it is a rollicking the last few of which seem to be al- of this large organ so that everything dance of shifting meters it is also very most exhausting the wind supply of the is clear and sharply etched, in spite of, accessible. Steinbach plays it with exu- organ. Donald Fellows assured me that and including, the many seconds of re- berant panache. the original winding of the Beckerath, verberation ending each piece. A little Partita on a Danish Song, which involves inbuilt regulators, or If you want to experience one of “Den klare sol går ned” was written schwimmers, was retained in the Tay- the greatest figures of 20th century in 1978 when Heiller had suffered a lor & Boody restoration, but that if one organ music compositionally and oth- third stroke and the loss of two old pulls too many stops and couplers it is erwise, expertly played on an ideal in- friends while in Denmark. The music possible to “bottom out” the main bel- strument, you must have this CD. has forebodings of death, and Heiller lows, causing a drop in pressure and himself died the next year at the age some out-of-tuneness. I think that of 55. Steinbach’s informative booklet limit may have been reached in these notes reveal that the Rückpositiv last chords. 16ʹ Bärpfeife is used in the second The final work is another setting movement. One stoplist version of the of “Es ist ein Ros’ entsprungen” from Beckerath organ in St. Paul Cathedral, 1977. Its simple charm and dreamy jazz Pittsburgh, applies the name “Englisch chords makes us wish Heiller had given Horn” to this register. I checked with us more of this sort of music. Cathedral organist Donald Fellows and The Beckerath in St. Paul Cathe- he told me that the stopknob is labeled dral is one of the landmark instruments “Bärpfeife” but the pipes are stamped of its era, and Taylor & Boody’s 2009 “Englisch Horn.” restoration wisely endeavored to main- The Passacaglia was composed tain the original sound of the organ. It around 1940–42 when Heiller was only is an immense body of tone with both 17 or 18; it is a beautiful example of great warmth and crystalline brilliance. The American Symphonic Organ, this genre, and again displays his in- In spite of having four 16ʹ and two 32ʹ Jean-Baptiste Robin plays the stinct for timbre and texture. A charm- stops in the Pedal, curiously there is E.M. Skinner organs, Opuses 660 ing little Partita on “Es ist ein Ros’ no thunderous rumblings in the Tutti; and 726, in the Cincinnati Mu- entsprungen” was composed in 1944 for apparently von Beckerath was intent seum Center at Union Terminal. Erna who became his wife later that on balance and refinement rather than Brilliant Classics 94726. Avail- year. Another product of his unhappy over the top drama. The range of col- able from Naxos. In the summer of time of 1978 in Denmark is a beauti- ors is never ending, with a wealth of 1955, I journeyed by train from my ful setting of another Danish tune, “As quiet and charming single stops, and home town of Tulia, Texas, to Kan- the heart of the lily, so faith springs ensembles of every dynamic level. sas City Union Station on the Santa Fe eternal.” “Freu dich sehr” is the inspi- Steinbach navigates these tonal riches line, and changed to the Missouri-Pa- ration for a three-part work consisting with unfailing skill. cific there to complete my trip to Saint of Vorspiel, Choral, and Nachspiel. This Steinbach writes that he has focused Louis. I was mightily impressed by the is music of great charm and expert on the study of Heiller’s music since grand interior of this beautiful building counterpoint. 1984, and it certainly shows in his play- and thought it would be a lovely place I found the 1977 Vorspiel, Zwischen- ing. It’s a shame that he is too young to for a grand organ. This is exactly what spiel und Nachspiel aus der “Vesper” für have known Heiller personally; I think has happened to the Union Termi- Kantor, Chor und Orgel to be an in- they would have had much to talk nal in Cincinnati. It is a 1933 Art Deco credibly powerful work. It was com- about. But Steinbach’s performance in half-dome (the Kansas City building is posed to celebrate the opening of the this CD shows that he has gotten into Beaux-Arts from 1914), and has nearly Klais organ in Graz Cathedral, a build- Heiller’s head and heart. six seconds of luscious reverberation.

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 27 Reviews

The main organ was originally life. One by one, in a pre-ordained se- maker’s new store, standing behind a built for Immaculate Conception quence, the organ’s nine blowers (to- spectacular and elegant organ case de- Church in Philadelphia, and the pres- taling 190 horsepower) power-up and signed by architect Daniel Hudson ent Antiphonal division is from an begin to fill seemingly endless reser- Burnham. Famously quoted for say- organ built for the home of Powell voirs with wind from five- to 27-inch ing “Make no little plans,” Burnham Crosley Jr. of Cincinnati, both instru- pressure. Yet even this impressive spec- might have been predicting the or- ments dating from 1929. Physicist and tacle doesn’t prepare the viewer for the gan’s future: Despite its size, the organ amateur organist Harley Piltingsrud sheer vastness of this organ. That job fell short of expectation as it spoke into devoted countless hours of supervising the cavernous Grand Court, and soon and hands-on work to install the or- after its 1911 dedication the decision gans. (He will be remembered by OHS was made to enlarge it. To that end, members for his studies on the aging of Rodman, John Wanamaker’s younger leather used in organbuilding.) son, established an in-house organ Jean-Baptiste Robin has chosen a shop, and by 1917 an additional 116 program of his own transcriptions for ranks were added, bringing the organ the most part, but also Liszt’s Prelude to 293 ranks and 17,285 pipes. (This and Fugue on BACH and a new work, shop would also produce a four-man- Distant Circles from Robin’s Reflect- ual, eight-division, 7,422 pipe organ ing Circles. The composers represented for Wanamaker’s New York Store “for include Debussy (twice), Albéniz, intimate concert purposes.” It was in- Bartók, Bizet, Barber, Rachmaninof, augurated by Marcel Dupré in 1921.) and Mahler. The latter’s Urlicht from The 1920s saw the organ’s second en- his Second Symphony features mezzo- largement, which included an Orches- soprano Stacey Rishoi. tral division (with three French Horns I was fascinated by Robin’s treat- of 8ʹ pitch) and the iconic String Organ ment of Barber’s Adagio for Strings. Or- of 88 ranks, built by W.W. Kimball. As ganists usually perform this with com- is left to Wanamaker Organ Curator it stands today, the organ consists of six binations of all the strings and celestes Curt Mangel and Pipedreams host Mi- manuals, 16 divisions, 28,500 pipes, and available, but Robin instead uses com- chael Barone, who escort the viewer weighs 287 tons. binations of foundation stops which through every nook and corner of the DVD hosts Curt Mangel and Mi- gives him a much wider dynamic po- mammoth five-level instrument in chael Barone treat the viewer with vis- tential, resulting in quite an impressive a generous and well-detailed, nearly its to every chamber and other behind- performance. three-hour tour. the-scenes locations usually unavail- All of the pieces are rich sonic ex- The Wanamaker organ began its able to the public eye. They discuss and periences; if you are an E.M. Skinner life as the largest organ in the world examine the potpourri of pipework, fan I think you’ll get a bang out of this when 71-year-old John Wanamaker often stop by stop, that abounds in this CD. If you aren’t a Skinner fan yet, this (1831–1922) purchased the Louisi- instrument, from the Swell Doppel- recording may tip you over the edge. ana Purchase Exposition organ for his rohrflöte of 1898, to the two five- and George Bozeman Jr. Philadelphia store in 1909. The five- six-rank Solo mixtures by Welte, the manual, 138-stop, 177-rank Exposi- seven Gottfried Vox Humanas in the DVD tion organ was built in 1904 by the Los Solo, the unusual Saxophones in the Wanamaker Organ Curator’s Tour Angeles Art Organ Company to a de- Choir, Vincent Willis’s signed double- with Curt Mangel and Michael Barone. sign by English organ architect George languid lead Diapason, the flat-fronted The Friends of the Wanamaker Ashdown Audsley (1838–1925). The St. (otherwise conical) two-rank Nazard- Organ, 2013. Bronzeagleye Films. Louis Fair would award the organ its Gamba, a variety of orchestral reeds From the first frames of the Wana- gold medal for quality of construction; by W.W. Kimball and White, and the maker Organ Curator’s Tour, when Audsley, as its envisioner, received the Centennial Tuba by Ernest Skinner, organist Peter Richard Conte presses silver, which is now on display in the to name just few of the many treasures the organ’s on-switch, one can’t help organ’s main chamber. Once in Phila- considered along the way. A visit to the but smile as the world’s largest fully- delphia, the organ would enjoy pride organ’s String Division, housed in the playable musical instrument comes to of place in the Grand Court of Wana- world’s largest organ chamber (67ʹ long

28 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 Reviews

by 26ʹ deep by 16ʹ high) has to be seen organ and symphonic organ enthusiast; Every ringmaster needs his acro- to be believed. Much of the organ ap- as much footage is devoted to the ex- bats, magicians, and clowns; Möller, pears to be in superb condition, thanks planation of the inner-workings of the too, needed allies to build his em- to an ongoing restoration program, organ, this presentation would also be pire. We read of team members like with work performed by in-house staff valuable to anyone interested in learn- E.O. Shulenberger, general manager and often volunteer enthusiasts that in- ing more about how organs work. Per- and secretary to the M.P.Möller Organ clude noted organbuilders and techni- haps by design, the instrument that Company and the legendary Möller cians. Curator Mangel, who displays spawned Dupré’s Symphonie-Pas- Motor Car Company, whose prod- an impressive knowledge of the or- sion in 1921 is heard all-too-briefly in ucts (unlike the organs) are collector’s gan’s 400+ ranks, states that 95 percent this presentation. It certainly whets items; Louis Luberoff, salesman ex- of the organ is now fully playable, as one’s appetite to make a pilgrimage to traordinaire (see OHS Press publication opposed to just 35 percent in the late Philadelphia! the Organ Industry Takeover: A Scheme 1990s. The Orchestral division stood Thomas Brown to Monopolize American Organbuilding); silent for 30 years in an ineffective, M.P. Möller, Junior, heir apparent to buried location, for example; through BOOK the family business; and last, but not Mangel’s efforts and the generosity of An Organ a Day: The Enterprising least, the phenomenally talented Rich- the landlord to forfeit profitable com- Spirit of M.P. Möller. Bynum Petty. ard O. Whitelegg, first tonal direc- mercial space, the division has been The Complete Organ, No. 9. Hill- tor of the company after the Founding moved to a new chamber and com- sdale, N.Y.: Pendragon Press, 2013. Father. Petty includes a well-rounded pletely restored. Peter Richard Conte, 230 pp. +1 CD, paperback. ISBN chapter on Whitelegg, showing why the current Wanamaker Organist and 9781576472439. $54. Here’s the book this Brit’s contributions were as signifi- only the fourth since 1911, hosts a tour that all of us old fogeys never ex- cant to M.P. Möller as G. Donald Har- of the unique—and massive—six-man- pected to want, but has been written, rison’s tonal innovations were to the ual console. Of it, E. Power Biggs was and must be read! Bynum Petty, archi- heard to say “You can walk around in- vist of the Organ Historical Society, side the console just as you might walk has painted a portrait of the patriarch about in an ordinary organ!” Its de- of American organbuilding, Mathias sign (as were all the consoles emanat- Peter Möller. ing from the Wanamaker organ shop) Petty’s endeavor, An Organ a Day: is based on the original 1904 console of The Enterprising Spirit of M.P. Moller, is the Los Angeles Art Organ Company’s a book that will not require the use of Exposition organ and includes eleven your decoder ring to understand. The of that company’s signature chrome- author, a successful organbuilder him- plated swell pedals in the shape of shoe self for decades, wrote this book about soles. The present console dates from an organbuilder, but it is not written 1927 and contains 729 color-coded tilt- exclusively for organbuilders. As de- ing stop tablets, 210 thumb and toe pis- scribed in the preface, the book is “a tons, and thumb slides under the key- collection of essays,” dealing primarily boards that can control the organ’s sea with the life and multi-faceted activi- of swell shades. ties of M.P.Möller between the years If a picture is worth a thousand 1872–1937. This is not a comprehensive words, then this DVD gives a fine ac- history of the Möller business, which count of the monumental—even came to a close in 1992; the book breathtaking—scale of this great leaves ample room for other research- American symphonic organ. A brief ers to continue where Petty has left off. Skinner Organ Company. Möller’s am- “intermission” feature presents period Petty clearly presents aspects of M.P.’s bitions and business practices had many photographs of the Grand Court and humble beginnings on Bornholm Is- similarities to those better known in organ facade through the years, and a land, Denmark, continuing with his history like John Jacob Astor, Thomas paper insert includes a complete, cur- arrival in America in 1872, events that Edison, and Henry Ford. Once you rent console layout. This DVD is cer- led him to the organbuilder’s trade, read this book, you’ll appreciate the tainly a must for every Wanamaker and his trials and tribulations. man behind the name.

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 29 Reviews

Facts are presented chronologically, tertained and enlightened with its con- book. An easy to read font and clean, without excessive repetition, keeping tent. Then, when you think you have crisp reproduction of some very old the book to modest proportions. A ma- finished, Petty offers a grand epilogue and damaged images makes this book jority of the illustrations have not been in the form of the Möller’s opus list, a pleasure to own. A criticism I do in print for more than 70 years; each compiled from various sources, offered have, which has nothing to do with recounts an interesting visual story. on CD, and organized in two formats, the scholarly research of the author, is Footnotes are plentiful and not rele- chronologically and geographically. that the book is only offered in a soft gated at the end of the book, making You’ll marvel for hours as you pe- cover version. How much more would consulting them easy. ruse Möller’s clientele and information it have cost to present such an endeavor After completing the life of Math- about more than 11,000 organs from in a hard cover edition? It’s somewhat ias Peter Möller, the reader is pre- what was the world’s largest organ like holding an egg in your hand, in sented with an abundant array of ap- company, “The Artist of Organs, the the shell or out of the shell! What is pendixes—a book in itself. Rich in Organ of Artists.” your preference? self-explanatory, organbuilding-re- The publisher, Pendragon Press, Lawrence Trupiano lated materials, the reader will be en- has prepared an adequately packaged

Carl PhiliPP EmanuEl BaCh he omplete orks    nOW aVailaBlE Organ Works Wq 70, Wq 119, h 336 Edited by annette richards and David Yearsley isbn 978-1-933280-33-2 (139 pp.) $20

Organists may also be interested in the Passions and Cantatas in Series IV, V, and VI. Please see website for a complete list of available and forthcoming volumes. All are cloth-bound and contain introductions and critical commentaries. An inexpensive study score, Organ Sonatas and Prelude, is available through Amazon.com (search “CPEB:CW offprints”). Phone orders: (800) 243-0193 Web orders: www.cpebach.org Email: [email protected]

Jane Errera MaryAnn Crugher Balduf St. Anne’s Church Organist • Recitalist • Accompanist Bethlehem, Pennsylvania Ypsilanti, MI (734) 485-0411

30 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 OHS NATIONAL COUNCIL Minutes

MINUTES OF THE NATIONAL COUNCIL MEETING

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013 Councilor for Finance and Development, MOVED— Chris Marks, that the meeting Committee to engage the investment and phil- per his statement to this effect received on enter executive session at 9:29am. Motion anthropic services of Wells Fargo as soon as Chicago, Illinois Tuesday morning, July 23, 2013. carried. possible. Motion carried. 4) Moved — Jeffery Weiler, that the National CALL TO ORDER Council extends to A. Graham Down our The meeting recessed for lunch at 11:50am. BYLAWS REVIEW President Czelusniak called to order a regular profound thanks for his generous and valu- meeting of the National Council of the Organ able service to the OHS as a Councilor, The meeting reconvened in executive session MOVED— Jeff Weiler, that E. Marie Wilson, Historical Society on Friday, October 25, 2013 noting especially his introductions to piv- at 1:28pm. who served as parliamentarian at the 2013 at 9:05am CDT. otal consultants continuing to serve the annual membership meeting, be solicited for best interests of the Society. Likewise, that MOVED— Chris Marks, that the executive a cost proposal and plan for a comprehensive ROLL CALL the National Council extend support and session be ended at 2:45pm. Motion carried. review of the bylaws. Motion carried. (P-PRESENT) encouragement to Mr. Down to continue William Czelusniak (President) P in valuable service to the Society through Executive Director Employment Review 2015 CONVENTION ATLAS Daniel Clayton (Vice-President) P his current work on the Strategic Planning Jeff Weiler (Secretary) P Committee. Mr. Weaver was thanked for his exemplary MOVED— Will Bridegam that, in accor- Allen Langord (Treasurer) P work on behalf of the society. dance with the OHS bylaws, the council reject 5) Moved — Jeffery Weiler, to nominate Will Bridegam (Councilor for Finance and Stephen Pinel’s proposal for research for the Willis Bridegam of Amherst, Massachusetts Development) P FRIENDS OF THE OHSLA—Mr. Bridegam 2015 convention atlas. Motion carried. to succeed Mr. Down as the Councilor for Jeffrey Dexter (Councilor for Organizational reported on the successful formation of the Finance and Development, which service Concerns) P Friends of the Organ Historical Society Library 2014 CONVENTION PROGRESS would commence immediately upon the James Cook (Councilor for Education) P and Archive. $17, 625 has been contributed REPORT approval of this body, and shall continue Christopher Marks (Councilor for Archives) P to date. through to the conclusion of the annual Daniel Schwandt (Councilor for Conventions) P Messrs. Weaver and Schwandt reported good meeting (of membership) in 2015 – the James Weaver (Executive Director) P TREASURER’S REPORT progress on preparations for the 2014 conven- extent of the current term vacated by Mr. tion in Syracuse. Many artists have been con- Down. A quorum of Council members was established. Mr. Langord referenced his written report. tacted, venues identified, and hotel arrange- ments confirmed. — Jim Cook, that the motions INTRODUCTIONS AND MOVED The budget committee will begin work on an above be ratified. Motion carried. OPENING REMARKS operating budget immediately to be completed UPDATED COMMITTEE ROSTERS AND President Czelusniak commented on the meet- by December 2. The president appointed Chris COUNCILORS’ REPORTS ing format for the day. Resignation of Theresa Slowik Marks to the committee in addition to the vice president and treasurer. The president called for reports to be filed. Approval of Minutes MOVED — Jeffery Weiler, that the resigna- The secretary called for updated contact in- tion of Theresa Slowik be accepted with re- ARCHIVES REPORT AND BUDGET formation from councilors, committee respon- MOVED —Jeffrey Dexter that the minutes gret, and the gratitude of the Organ Historical PRESENTATION sibilities, and names of members serving on of the June 24, 2013 meeting be approved. Society be extended for her bringing her wis- committees. Motion carried with Mr. Clayton abstaining. dom and vision from the world of publishing to Mr. Marks commented on recent acquisitions bear on the society. Motion carried. and activities at the archives. The next council meeting of the OHS Ratification of Recent Unanimous E-mail Votes National Council shall be held in person in Extension Executive Director Contract INVESTMENT ADVICE AND the Philadelphia area on Friday and Saturday, 1) Moved— Jeffrey Dexter, that Randall E. PHILANTHROPIC SERVICES January 17-18, 2014. Wagner be nominated to the Endowment MOVED— Dan Clayton, that James Fund Advisory Board. Weaver’s contract be extended for a period of MOVED— Jim Cook, that recently develop- Adjournment 2) Moved —Jeffrey Dexter, that the two years under the same terms except that ing circumstances have revealed the impor- Endowment Fund Advisory Board be mileage is to be reimbursed at the maximum tance of OHS receiving professional support The president declared the meeting adjourned charged by National Council to review all current federal rate. Motion carried. such as major donor services. Wells Fargo at 6:00pm. can provide these services. Consequently, the relevant sections of the OHS By-laws (Part National Council strongly urges the Endowment /s/ Jeff Weiler, Secretary 5.5 Endowment Fund Advisory Board, ARCHIVES GOVERNING Sections (a) through (f) inclusive of all BOARD paragraphs and sub-sections), and then to proceed with its business with vigor and MOVED— Chris Marks, that the renewed compliance, to best benefit of the Organ terms for Carol Britt and Will Bridegam to the Historical Society. Archives Governing Board be ratified. Motion 3) Moved — Jeffery Weiler, that the National carried with Mr. Bridegam abstaining. Council accepts with regret the resignation of A. Graham Down from his position as Executive Session

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 31 Obituaries

Bill Goodwin worked for Baird Redpath Hall of McGill University FREDERICK E. GILLIS Associates in Cambridge, Mass., and and the 1991 organ in North German The Rev. Frederick E. Gillis died at was assigned to work with the Central style in the chapel of the University of the age of 72 on July 14, 2013, after a Intelligence Agency on the now de- Toronto, as well as several church or- long battle with Lewy Body Disease. classified SR71 aircraft in AREA 51. gans, including those for St. John the Born in Cambridge, Mass., in 1940, He worked for Baird for many years, Evangelist Anglican (1984) and the he graduated from Tufts University in 1962, earned his Bachelor of Theol- until he bought out the audio division Church of La Visitation (1993, preserv- ogy from Harvard Theological School and started his own company, Key- ing casework from a circa 1840 Sam- in 1965, and was ordained in Chan- word Associates, which designed and uel R. Warren organ), both in Mon- ning Unitarian Church of Rockland, installed recording systems for court- treal. On the day of his death, the Mass. in 1966, where he also served as rooms around the country. Casavant firm posted a notice on its minister. He was later minister of the An avid sailor, Bill was a longtime website, stating that “the organ world Unitarian Church in Halifax, Nova member of the Marblehead Yacht Club has lost a great artist and a passionate Scotia, where he restored and in- and a strong supporter of the arts and advocate for the pipe organ,” a senti- stalled a small English organ. His lon- animal organizations. ment with which all who knew Wolff gest ministry was from 1977 to 2003 in A concert in memory of Bill would heartily agree. The following the Westminster Unitarian Church of Goodwin will take place at the First day a recital dedicated to his memory East Greenwich, Rhode Island, where Congregational Church, Woburn, was played on his grand instrument in he was instrumental in building up a May 4, 2014, at 3 p.m. Victoria. He is survived by Claudette music program and replacing an elec- Bégin, his devoted wife of many years. tronic instrument with a small but HELLMUTH WOLFF versatile organ built to his design by Noted Canadian organbuilder Hell- JOHN WESSEL Roche Pipe Organ Co. Gillis was ac- muth Wolff died in Montreal on No- John Wessel, veteran organ voicer tive in the Unitarian-Universalist li- vember 20, 2013, at the age of 76. Born and builder in Brattleboro, Vt., passed turgical group of Abraxas, the OHS, on September 3, 1937, in Zürich, Swit- away January 7, 2014, at the age of 91. and the Boston Chapter of the AGO, zerland, he apprenticed with Met- He was born in Zoeterwoude, Hol- serving for several years on the chap- zler & Söhne in nearby Dietikon, land, on November 15, 1922. At age 13 ter’s Organ Advisory Committee after later working for Rieger Orgelbau in he started working for Van Leeuwen his retirement in New Hampshire. His Schwarzach, Austria. He came to the Pipe Organ Company in Leiden, re- lifelong interest in and advocacy of the United States in 1962, working briefly maining in the organbuilding profes- pipe organ was shared with an interest for Otto Hofmann in Austin, Texas sion until his retirement in 2002. in trains and the outdoors. He is sur- and Charles Fisk in Gloucester, Mass. During World War II he spent vived by his wife Judy Stewart, former In 1963, he was engaged by Casavant years successfully evading the occupy- wife Kate, two sons, three stepdaugh- to take charge, with Karl Wilhelm, of ing German troops who were actively ters, and ten grandchildren. the firm’s new mechanical action de- searching for young Dutch men to partment, for which he designed sev- work in their factories. WILLIAM GOODWIN eral organs, including those in the In 1946, he married Sophia A. van William Goodwin died on Decem- parish church of Saint-Pascal-de-Ka- Hoeven. The family emigrated to ber 7, 2013, at the age of 83. He was mouraska, Quebec, Our Lady of Sor- Brattleboro in 1954 after he was invited was born in Elgin Ill., on September 9, rows in Toronto, and Marie-Reine- to work for the Estey Organ Company. 1930, and graduated from Knox Col- des-Coeurs in Montreal. In 1968, he After Estey closed, he continued build- lege with a degree in physics. He was established Wolff & Associates, in the ing, restoring, repairing, and maintain- a cherished member, organist, and Montreal suburb of Laval. The firm ing pipe organs throughout Vermont music director at the First Congrega- built 50 organs ranging in size from and much of New England. In addi- tional Church in Woburn where he small continuo and house organs to tion to maintaining most of the organs played the large 1860 E.G. & G. Hook the impressive four-manual organ for in Brattleboro, he moved Estey Opus organ, Op. 283, for more than 30 years Christ Church Cathedral in Victoria, 1 from its original home in the former and established the Organ Restoration British Columbia, completed in 2005, Methodist Church on Elliott Street to Fund to maintain the instrument. He a few years before his retirement in the new church on Putney Road, and was a member of the AGO for more 2010. Other notable instruments are built the organ in St. Michael’s Catho- than 50 years the 1982 French Classic-style organ in lic Church on Walnut Street.

32 THE TRACKER Vol. 58, No. 2 BYNUM PETTY EndNotes

Kinetic Engineering Company

The Kinetic Engineering Company was Hagerstown, Maryland, and there made blowers for established in New York City by Robert Pier El- its own use and that of its competitors, who, upon liot and Herbert Brown in 1904. A year later, manu- learning that Möller made Kinetic blowers, switched facturing was moved to Lansdowne, Pennsylvania, their organbuilding businesses to the Spencer Tur- where it remained until being absorbed by the M.P. bine Company of Hartford, Connecticut. Möller Organ Company in 1939. Kinetic maintained two card catalogues of all M.P. Möller, Sr. took an early interest in elec- blowers produced. These catalogues are in the OHS tric-powered methods of supplying pipe organs Library & Archives, and are an important source of with wind, and was one of Kinetic’s first investors. information, especially of organs built by companies Over the years, he continued to purchase Kinetic other than Möller. No card stock and eventually became a director of the com- in the two catalogues is pany. At the time of his death in 1937, Möller was in more unique than that for total control of the company. In 1939, manufactur- St. Ignatius Loyola R.C. ing operations were moved to the Möller factory in Church, New York City.

Vol. 58, No. 2 THE TRACKER 33 OHS Press UPCOMING PUBLICATION

LARGEST AND MOST COMPLEX of musical instruments, the organ has PIPE FAMOUS ORGANS OF AND ROLLIN THE RICH SMITH traditionally been found in churches—from country parishes to great cathe- drals—and, for centuries, small “chamber organs” were found in the homes of the elite, most often, royalty. Then, in the mid-19th century, with the application of mechanical blowing devices, organs entered the private homes of the well- to-do and professional musicians. Automatic player devices provided those who could afford them with a self-playing organ and the opulent mansions of the new American aristocracy offered unlimited space for extremely large instruments. ROLLIN SMITH’S PIPE ORGANS OF THE RICH AND FAMOUS is PIPE ORGANS the story of organs in more than 50 private homes—a few residents being more famous than rich. It recounts a time when the organ was not only a symbol of of the those who had arrived socially, but was considered the ultimate appointment of the luxurious home, indeed, the Home Orchestra of the Twentieth Century. Here Rich you will visit with royalty, captains of industry, famous organists and composers, and organbuilders, and those whose names are less familiar, but who were patrons of Famous the King of Instruments on a lavish scale. Profusely illustrated with 300 photographs and engravings, this large- format hard-bound book documents the work of more than 25 organbuilders in the United States, England, France, and Germany; stoplists of each instrument is included.

SUBSCRIPTION DEADLINE IS APRIL 30, 2014 Rollindesigned by len Smith levasseur SUBSCRIBE ON-LINE www.organsociety.org/ohspress OHS Press

OHS 2014 PIPE ORGAN HOLIDAY THE GREAT ORGAN AT METHUEN 12-MONTH CALENDAR BARBARA OWEN

CELEBRATING THE ORGAN HISTORICAL SOCIETY’S IN THE MIDDLE of the of the nineteenth-century, American organbuilding reached a mile- 59th Annual Convention in Syracuse, N.Y., August 11–14, stone when, in 1863, in the midst of the Civil War, a large concert organ — really the 2014, this full-color calendar features stunning new first of its kind in the country — was opened in Boston’s relatively-new Music Hall. Visu- photographs by Len Levasseur. The calendar is 8½″ by ally and musically it was regarded as a sensation, as it put a stamp of approval on paid- 11″ and opens vertically to highlight the beautiful images. admission secular organ recitals, and quickly opened the door to a spate of American-built Instruments by Steere & Turner, C.B. Fisk, Frank Roosevelt, concert hall organs. The composition of large-scaled secular organ works soon followed, E. & G.G. Hook, Johnson, Barckhoff, and Willcox, are joined written by American composers recently returned from study in European conservatories. by the iconic Holtkamp at Syracuse University, made famous This is the story of that catalytic instrument, known then and now as the Great Organ by Arthur Poister and by André Marchal’s recordings. An — its checkered history, and, perhaps most intriguingly, the varied and colorful cast of excellent article about the convention by Greg Keefe is also characters who conceived and financed it, built and rebuilt it, played it, made recordings included. A must for all organophiles! on it, wrote about it, maintained it, rescued it from time to time, and continue to ensure that its voice continues to be heard. The Great Organ is now housed in its present purpose- MEMBERS $7.99 | NON-MEMBERS $12.99 built concert hall, north of Boston in the town of Methuen, Massachusetts. How it got there and how it remained there is only a part of its story. MEMBERS $34.99 | NON-MEMBERS $39.99 www.ohscatalog.org