To Allen, Kevin and the list,
I second, or third or whatever, the motion. Stick with the real thing
whatever it is. MANY organists will agree privately that a complete
Wurlitzer serves the music like no "collection of parts" ever can.
Michael Coup
Wichita Theatre Organ, Inc.
New York Paramount Wichita Wurlitzer
-----Original Message-----
From: Allen Walker <[log in to unmask]>
To: [log in to unmask] <[log in to unmask]>
Date: Saturday, August 29, 1998 12:59 AM
Subject: Re: Convincing the School
>To Kevin and List:
>
>I would very much like to second the statements made by Poncho on
>this topic. His post is an excellent model of reason and sense.
>
>One should particularly avoid an attempt at an eclectic instrument; it
>is unlikely to please anyone. Also one statement of Poncho's bears
>repeating:
>
>> 4) The theatre organ is a uniquely American development in the
>> realms of organbuilding, and notwithstanding perpetual assaults
>from
>> the elite concerning its "decadence" and "debauchery," evolved an
>> integrity of layout, design and musical focus which still generates
>> enthusiasm today, and is worthy of being conserved in tact, even if
>> this means new locations and new uses.
>
>Don't worry about those who tell you that theatre organs are not
>serious musical instruments. These people usually have quite narrow
>musical tastes. Exposing such people to good theatre organ playing -
>- live-- will help them to learn about the wonderful things they have
>been missing, to the betterment of us all.
>
>I will add one thing: Do not let the design of the organ be done by
>amateurs, no matter how well-intentioned. Many amateurs have a
>tendency to put in too many ranks, as they cannot bear to do without
>even one of the sounds that the largest installations had. A
>professional will favor an instrument that is the right size to fit into
its
>environment and has "integrity of layout, design and musical focus."
>Unless the auditorium is unusually large, the approximately 7-8
>ranks mentioned by Poncho should be ideal. And, it would be a great
>idea to get an entire instrument that was in a theatre, and install it
>without additions or deletions (modern replacements for some of the
>non-sound-generating innards excepted). That way, you can have a
>link to our past that people can identify with (rather than a group of
>miscellaneous organ parts).
>
>With good theatre organ and organist, in a good hall, with intelligent
>publicity, you should get full houses for musical events.
>
>Best of luck,
>Allen
>
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>Note: opinions expressed on PIPORG-L are those of the individual con-
>tributors and not necessarily those of the list owners nor of the Uni-
>versity at Albany.
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>
>
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Note: opinions expressed on PIPORG-L are those of the individual con-
tributors and not necessarily those of the list owners nor of the Uni-
versity at Albany.
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