0 Copyright 1965 by The Organ Historical Society, Inc. Volume X FALL - 1965 Number 1 Charles F. Durner Organs By ROBERT BRUCE WHITING Eugene M. McCracken has written an authori­ tative account of the organ-building Durner fami­ ly of Quakertown, Penna. His history of the Dur­ ners, published in the Summer, 1964 issue of THE TRACKER, Vol. VIII, No. 4, states that Charles Friedrick Durner (1838-1914) built organs from 1859 until his death and that his son, Charles Edward Durner (1863-1932) continued the busi­ ness until his death. In 1932, Paul Fritzsche, an employee and distant relative of Charles E. Durn­ er, bought out the business and still continues to build and repair organs in AUentown, Penna., as the successor to C. E. Durner. This article is a supplement to Eugene Mc­ Cracken's account and describes some other Charles F. Durner tracker-action organs. The old Goshenhoppen Union Church in Wox­ all, Penna., had an 1890 C. F. Durner organ, which cost $1600.00 at that time. This organ was rebuilt and electrified by Paul Fritzsche in the early 1950's, but the case is original. Fortunately, the church has preserved the old console in a school house at the rear (If the church building. The organ had two manual/, and pedal with a reversed console. A large metal nameplate on the console reads: C. F. DORNER Builder CHARLES F. DURNER Quakertown, Pa. And the stoplist was: the organ can be played partiaUy. Judging by the case and specifications, it was built around 1900: GREAT SWELL 8' Open Diapason 8' Stopped Diapason GREAT SWELL 1 8' Melodia 8' Viola 8' Open Diapason 8 Geigen Principal 8' Dulciana 4' Flute Harmonic 8' Melodia 8' Stopped Diapason 4' Principal 8' Oboe 8' Dulciana 8' Salicional 4' Open Flute 8' Bassoon (Bass of Oboe) 4' Principal 8' Aeoline (Ch-imes - later addition) Tremolo 4' Flute d'Amour 8' Oboe Gamba 2' Piccolo 4' Flute Harmonic PEDAL COUPLERS Tremolo 16' Bourdon S-P, S-G, G-P PEDAL COUPLERS The organ had 58 notes on the manuals and 27 16' Bourdon S-P, S-G, G-P notes on the pedals. I heard and played this organ The organ has a Pedal Lock, Bellows Signal, and when it still had tracker action. The touch was three foot combination pedals: Gt-Ped reversible, light and the tone pleasant. The specification was Piano Gt Organ, and Forte Gt Organ. unusual in that it contained a reed stop on the In the music studio of M. Richard Riegel, Rich­ Swen rather than the customary Oboe Gamba, and landtown, Penna., is a 10 rank C. F. Durner a 4' Open Flute on the Great instead of a 4' tracker-action organ which has been in the Lu­ Stopped Flute or a 2' Fifteenth. theran Church at Zionhill, Penna., with the follow­ One of the largest two manual and pedal ing stoplist: tracker action C. F. Durner organs still extant is GREAT SWELL in the old building of Trinity Lutheran Church, 8' Open Diapason 8' Violin Diapason Quakertown, Penna. The electricity is turned off 8' Melodia 8' Stopped Diapason from the organ blower, but by using the hand pump (Please turn to page 9) gested as members were: Elmer W. Perkins, Ben MINUTES OF Faidley, and James Baeringer. COUNCIL MEETING A Committee on Chapter Organization with Schwenksville, Pa. - August 30, 1965 names chosen to represent various localities in­ cluded Frederick B. Sponsler ( chairman) for Phil­ The meeting was called to order by President adelphia, Pat Heflin for Washington, Allan Sly for Kenneth F. Simmons at 11 a. m. The following Boston, Randall Wagner for "the West", Robert members were present: Thomas Cunningham, G. Owen for New York City. Donald R. M. Paterson (Advisor), Robert J. Reich, A Budget Committee was formed: Robert B. Albert F. Robinson (Publisher), Frederick B. Whiting (chairman), Frederick L. Mitchell, Don­ Sponsler (Recording Secretary), the Rev. Donald ald R. M. Paterson, and David Ashley Cotton, D. Taylor (Vice-president), Robert B. Whiting, Treasurer and ex-officio member of the committee. and Mr. Simmons. Alan Laufman was present as A By-Laws Committee: James D. Bratton proxy for Barbara J. Owen. Mr. Whiting held (chairman), Eugene M. McCracken and the Rev. proxies for Mrs. Helen Harriman ( Corresponding Donald Taylor. Secretary) and David Ashley Cotton (Treasurer). A Committee on Historical Organ Labels: Bar­ Council approved minutes of the Cincinnati bara J. Owen (chairman), Donald R. M. Paterson meeting as printed. and Robert J. Reich. The Treasurer's report was accepted and ap­ Council directed that minutes of Council be proved. published in THE TRACKER. A report of the audio-visual and recordings President and Council noted the following four projects was read. Council approved quantity dis­ committees are also presently functioning: Audio­ counts on the sale of recordings: three or more visual Committee, Thomas Cunningham ( chair­ records to be sold at $4.50 each when sent to the man), Robert Roche and Cleveland Fisher; Public same address. Cost of one or two records is to re­ Relations: Robert James; Extant Organs Commit­ main at the old rates. Council tabled a suggestion tee: Alan Laufman (chairman), Barbara J. Owen that certain recordings be made available on tape. and Edgar A. Boadway; Archives: Homer D. Council approved pressing 200 albums of the 1965 Blanchard. Convention recordings. Council asked Mr. Roche Council approved the appointment by Presi­ to make a definite proposal for a demonstration dent Simmons of Mr. Paterson as advisor to the recording, listing selections and also a breakdown Council for this season. of the costs. Approved dates for Council Meetings: December The Public Relations committee made no report, 27th at Don's Barn (Mahopac, N. Y.), Saturday, but Council reviewed the returns from Mr. James' April 16th at the home of the Rev. Mr. Taylor questionaire. (Haverhill, Mass.), and a June meeting in Brook­ Council considered the problem of the Organ lyn. Relocation Committee and noted Mr. Fisher's let­ ter stating the committee needs members as ap­ Members expressed their thanks to Mr. Whiting proved at the Washington Annual Meeting. Presi­ for luncheon and also their appreciation of the dent Simmons and Council approved suggestions two recently restored organs set up in the room for personnel: The Rev. Mr. Taylor, Dr. Blanchard, where the meeting was held. Mr. Pfaff and Mr. Whiting. Respectfully submitted., Mr. Reich read a suggested proposal for the FREDERICK B. SPCWSLER Society to recognize and label specific organs of outstanding historical significance. Council ap­ proved a motion that the President appoint a N.B. Of the committees appointed, almost all committee to study the problem and recommend members have accepted. Mr. Mitchell (Budget) action at the next meeting. has declined. The June Council meeting will un­ Mr. Laufman made a report on the work of the doubtedly be moved to Cape Cod, since plans for a committee preparing lists of extant organs. New York convention fell through and it will be A final report on the 1965 Convention was ap­ Cape Cod in '66.~Ed. proved. Council weighed the merits of holding the 1966 ,----------------------- Convention in Cape Cod or New York City. Council THE TRACKER approved the latter pending further details. Council heard a proposal of Mr. Ackerman, that IS SENT BY the 1967 Convention be held in Toronto as part of the 100th Anniversary of the Dominion, and re­ 3rd CLASS MAIL quested a more detailed plan for consideration. This means that we MUST have your current address. Council discussed printing a booklet for dis­ Copies are NOT forwardable when you have moved. tribution with the Slide-Tape Demonstration. However, they are returnable, and we have received President Simmons, with the approval of Coun­ many back during the past year. When we do get cil, made the following appointments to com­ y,our new address and remail your copy, there is a mittees: Albert F. Robinson to become Editor of total of 36 cents postage involved. Please keep THE TRACKER, and Thomas Cunningham, Pub­ us up to date and help save OHS funds. lisher, with Cleveland Fisher to fill his (Cunning­ ham's) unexpired term on the Council. Don't forget Zip Code! Mrs. Mary R. Danyew was named chairman of the 1966 Nominating Committee and names sug- PAGE 2 History of Johnson Organ Traced From an Article in THE MINING JOURNAL Marquette, Mich. by Ernest H. Rankin A few weeks after addressing a Jetter to the cost $2850 and "its bellows operated by a newly­ organist of the First Baptist Church, Marquette, invented 'water-motor' appliance." Henry R. Math­ concerning its Hook & Hastings 1886 pipe organ, er, one of Marquette's pioneers, had been instru­ E. A. Boadway, on May 1, 1961, addressed a similar mental in acquiring this first pipe organ. letter to the organist of St. Paul's Episcopal On June 6, 1961, Boadway wrote: "Johnson Church concerning its William Johnson & Sons (1816-1901) was a New Yorker who became a pipe organ Opus 462. brick-layer in Westfield, Mass., and in 1842 helped As this instrument had been replaced in Janu­ the Hook brothers erect an organ in the Methodist ary, 1909 by an Austin electric-action organ, church there. He built a few parlor organs, and built in Hartford, Conn., the letter was turned after 1848 organ building was his business, and he over to the writer, a staff member of the Marquette produced 860 instruments until the firm closed in Historical Society, for investigation and reply. 1898. Many old Johnsons are still in use, and This led to an extensive correspondence be­ others are hiding under the nameplate of some tween Boadway and the writer, not only on the later builder." pipe organs in the various Marquette churches, Master Workmanship but on the subject in general.