The Wonderful World of the Cinema Organ [4K]

The wonderful world of the cinema organ, or theater organ - finally we get our hands on a real cinema organ for the channel!
Let me show you exactly what a cinema organ is, what's different from a classical organ, and why this instrument is so misunderstood. We take a look at the console, listen to the stops and try out all the special effects this organ can make, not only for accompanying silent movies, but also for some "real" cinema organ style music! We even go behind the curtain to see the organ's innards!
To hear more from this amazing little organ, consider joining us on Patreon and Steady or KZbin channel memberships with exciting rewards ranging from early video access, extra music videos, Livestreams for members only and even online music lessons with Fraser:
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Thanks to the Düsseldorf Film Museum for letting us have their Black Box Cinema for the day, home to this delightful little German cinema organ made by Welte and Co. back in 1930.
www.duesseldorf.de/filmmuseum
For more information on theater organs, visit
frasergartshore.com/blog/
For your copy of my lates CD "Piping Hot at the Organ", visit
frasergartshore.com/shop/
Support the channel here:
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#Gartshore #CinemaOrgan #Düsseldorf

[@FraserGartshore]

To hear more from this amazing little organ, consider joining us on Patreon and Steady or KZbin channel memberships with exciting rewards ranging from early video access, extra music videos, Livestreams for members only and even online music lessons with Fraser: kzbin.info/door/6uMPpRqLSiBWiWG0Sgr_NAjoin (Member button above!) www.patreon.com/frasergartshore steadyhq.com/de/frasergartshore

[@richardforce5620]

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[@mastered38]

I can't wait for this 5-keyboard organ.

[@MarcusB-qr1hk]

Same

[@Tmanaz480]

I love how modern organists don't have the prejudice against theater organs that existed in the old days.

[@juliangerardcascio1111]

Boy Fraser I been thinking about this day and you playing a Theater Pipe Organ for a long time now. And today is the day !!

[@tmcarter3]

How can you not smile when this is played... Its such a beautiful instrument! Well Done!

[@briancaldwell283]

My father, William, was a cinema organist since the late 30s until the 70s.

[@thebestschen]

I grew up in Düsseldorf and I had a tour of the Filmmuseum when I was in primary school. Additionally to the museum itself, they also showed us the Black Box and its organ and I have always wondered how these special effects worked. Especially the rain sound with the peas in the funnel stuck in my memory and I couldn't grasp how it would work. Thank you for showing it and taking me a bit down memory lane.

[@briancaldwell283]

I love listening to the organist in Balboa park in San Diego in 85/86

[@susanmazzanti5643]

During WWII we lived close to Birmingham, Alabama, USA. Sometimes we got to a children's program on Saturday afternoon. This involved local talent as well as a movie. The did play the organ during this especially if there was a clown act. You brought back wonderful memories.

[@briancaldwell283]

Fraser, my dad would have loved you. He was a cinema organist way back when you guys filled in for the silent movies!

[@jacobwoods8738]

Oh I am so looking forward to this, a cinema organ in your masterful hands.

[@PierreRipplinger]

I visited some parts of Düsseldorf in the 80s and remember seing one of these in a theater where we had a lecture or something. Unfortunately it was not operational and behind a "please don't touch" sign anyway. I've always been curious about how it worked and sounded with its "thunder" and "storm" SFX. Unless there are many others in the city, this is probably the one I saw. Thanks for unlocking the decades old mystery. Fats Waller's organ performance will always remind me of Lynch's Eraserhead and his Lady in the Radiator.

[@gordontheorgan]

This takes me back. I used to sell digital theatre organs for Wyvern Organs in England.

[@Rollinglenn]

This is the video I've been waiting for - Fraser at the toy counter!

[@MarcusB-qr1hk]

Another awesome video! Looking forward to the next organs you visit! It’s great to finally hear a real cinema organ. I’m sure you were thrilled to the brim to play it!

[@roberthoffhines5419]

If you come to the states, several big Wulitzers (and other makers) are still intheir palace moviehouses. Few stadium instruments left, Atlantic City would be worth the trip! edit: I see someone else mentioned it!

[@davidcousins5493]

Hi Fraser Thank you for a another fun and very informative video, took me back to my youth, sitting in the auditorium at the Granada cinema near Tooting Broadway in London. Back in the sixties they laid on a weekly Saturday morning matinee for kids, at 6 old pennies, great fun was had by all. Just one question, we saw two rows of green and yellow tabs above the white top row, what are these for, please? Looking forward to the next one, take care and stay safe.

[@mj6962]

The size or number of manuals and ranks does not matter. What truly makes the organ, is it’s collection of “toys!” ALWAYS my absolute favorite part of the theater organ!

[@mj6962]

Too many times, these toys are underutilized in my opinion. And honestly, this is the first time I’ve seen an organ with rain and wind stops, AND a realistic train engine generator. Usually I’ve seen organists just press a handful of the lowest notes on one of the manuals for that ‘chugging’ sound. And are those stops just simply on and off? Not tied to a manual or pedal?

[@Grantthetruthteller]

I think the idea of the UNIT ORCHESTRA is absolutely brilliant. Imagine the cost savings in maintaining and tuning 97 pipes instead of 244 for each voice. I find your videos very enjoyable and very informative. Keep up the good work.

[@thetheatreorgan168]

Though the higher octave ranks when independent, and not unified are slightly softer scaled and better blend

[@colinclark3218]

Being brought up in Tooting, in South West London, as a nipper (I was born in in 1947), I used to love it when my mother took me to the Granada cinema. In those days there were two films (plus the news reel), and it was always exciting when the organist played for a while during the interval. A wonderful sound. Ahhhh. Happy memories.

[@jlee29170]

What are the red & green switches?

[@JohnWest507]

First thing that brought me to the internet in 1994 was a theatre organ. You Tube algorithm finally delivers on long held promise. This may just be the musical find of my year. Wonderful organ tour & performance. Thank you all!

[@FraserGartshore]

Thank you! Check out the other videos on the channel - it’s mainly organs in churches but there’s a lot of jazz on them for a bit of fun!👍

[@shoominati23]

I love Theatre Organs, that would be the first thing I bought if I won lotto (and the sizeable house to hold one)

[@FraserGartshore]

Same here! I actually have my eyes on an instrument currently available in the US... Don't know if they'd consider shipping it to Europe though!

[@CornishMiner]

Love the throb of that tremulous wind! Great video.

[@bobh5087]

This was fascinating, Fraser. Thanks very much for the tour and music. 👍 ❤️

[@chrisburn7178]

Finally, the first video that has explained the relationship between ranks and stops on a cinema organ! As a church organ person I couldn't understand why instruments with hundreds of stop tabs and three manuals were described as "eight rank", "ten rank" etc. when that would equate to a small one or two manual church organ. Not sure if this system is now employed on church organs as well as it makes huge sense, especially as the single rank is more likely to be tonally matched with itself than another separate rank. Thank you!

[@ConacherOrgan]

Fraser, we would be delighted to welcome you to come and play our Conacher cinema organ in the UK, when the restoration is completed some time next year, 22 ranks over three manuals.

[@n4gix]

Your presentation of this little powerhouse of a theater organ was excellent! Thank you very much.

[@johnopalko5223]

Brilliant, Fraser! Portland, Oregon, is proud to be the home of a 3/22 Kimball at Cleveland High School and a 4/18 Wurlitzer at the Oaks Park Roller Rink. If you're ever in this neck of the woods, please drop by to hear (and, maybe, play) them.

[@FraserGartshore]

Thanks John, I've never been up that way before - My American theatre organ antics have so far been limited to New York, Detroit and Chicago!

[@WeslarWaven]

@@FraserGartshore The Kimball in the Cleveland High school, Portland Or, is a wonderful installation. If you ever make your way here in the states you should stop by and play

[@thetheatreorgan168]

Finds out oak parks is unenclosed entirely *shudders*

[@JohanOstlund187]

What an interestning organ! And the acustics are so different from a church, it sounds almost like a living room. I also love the in depth technical details.

[@larryfried7742]

Great organ tour Fraser. I really liked it.

[@bogdanfutera]

Very, very interestingly presented. Up, until now I didn't fully comprehend how it looked and was functioning. Thank you Fraser - it's like showing us..."life before Hammond" !

[@christopheranton13]

You should try to gain access to the Wanamaker organ in PA! Wonderful video!

[@ikonix360]

Also the boardwalk hall organ

[@BjornBlomstrand]

Wow fantastic. Never seen cinemaorgan before. Al the extra effect was somthing extra. Thank you!

[@frankklang5508]

I think, Mr. Gartshore is the perfect musician for the theater organ !

[@paulsotheron710]

Excellent, very interesting and stirring music. Love it. 👍

[@anickode]

I only just discovered your channel, and I must say it's excellent. If you ever find yourself in the United States, there are some incredible organs here that would be wonderful to see you do videos with. A few in particular come to mind.

[@HudsonDiTomaso]

The organ is a very sophisticated instrument, thanks for this video! ⚾️👏

[@isaacorganist]

The organ at my church is a small organ, and it has multiple stops per rank of pipes and just adds more pipes on top for a four foot or 16 foot pipes.

[@christopherbeeching9510]

Thank you for that Fraser - to my eternal shame I have only just come across your site. Wonderful. It was interesting to see 'behind the scenes' and some of the special effects. The methods used for rain, wind and thunder were those I had to operate on my first job in professional theatre - in rep in Hornchurch in 1959. The 'rain' was, as you say with peas - dried peas in a medium sized wooden box, and it was extraordinary how many different qualities of rain you could manufacture - the sound of that is!!! Wind was produced by turning a slatted wooded drum, the drum placed vertically on a stand, with a length of silk or canvas having a weight at the far end placed over it. Again, the variety of 'wind' that could be produced was legion - a violent storm was hard work to produce for any length of time. And the thunder sheet seen in a small scale in the this theatre organ was maybe 6 x 3 ft and hanging from the underneath of the fly floor. Great to take out your frustrations of the day's rehearsals on it. My apologies for going on at great length, but thank you for this video Fraser.

[@XMarkxyz]

I'm only half way through but I'd love to see more of this instrument, it's beautiful and the vox humana with tremulo is the most mute-black-and-white-film sound I can think of

[@danshasky7057]

You should try and look for a Wurlitzer

[@bryangl1]

This was absolutely fascinating. Up until now I had only associated the name Welte with pianos, and more particularly Reproducing Pianos (a massive topic on its own). To my ear the timbres of the pipe ranks were not as polished as instruments from WurliTzer and some other companies who specialized in theatre organs. But it's often said that the most important stop on an organ is the acoustics of its environment. Certainly, the average cinema has a very much drier acoustic than larger churches and cathedrals, but with this organ speaking into a tiny theatre, the acoustics are totally dead and this doesn't help the instrument one bit. I would love to hear it with just a little reverb to add some life. [An interesting note on at least WurliTzer instruments is that the shutters were of different widths and as the expression pedal was depressed the shutters opened and closed in a pattern to provide a logarithmic curve to the increase in volume. Very sophisticated!]

[@johnlawrence2757]

I remember these from my childhood: they had one at the Davis Theatre Croydon. And I remember Sandy McPherson on the Light Programme. More recently they still have one at the Tuschinsky Cinéma in Amsterdam: fully functioning including the stage lift. I played it for a few moments myself - it was having maintenance !

[@KableMrDan]

That was great! Love the Jazz at the end! I would love to hear your interpretation of Duke Ellington's "Come Sunday" on an organ...on a Sunday! Thank You!

[@lxdesign1]

wow.. that was fantastic! We have a wonderful Wurlitzer Organ here in the city of Toronto, Canada. It's housed in Casa Loma, which is a local landmark. They used to do regular concerts there with the organ... I am not sure if they do anymore, but its still there.

[@Querenciatv]

Incredible Work 👍

[@edwardwilding2053]

Looking forward to your performance on the theatre organ.

[@DaveC45110]

I've really enjoyed Fraser's videos of classical organs and as a cinema organ enthusiast, I've often wondered what some of his more up-tempo arrangements would sound like on a unit orchestra. Now I know. Fantastic! I notice some people have asked about the Crescendo pedal, which Fraser apparently had to miss out due to technical difficulties. On this type of organ, each stop tab is like an electrical switch that turns the different pipe ranks on or off. The crescendo pedal, whilst not actually moving the tabs, still has the effect of turning each switch on, one after the other, as the pedal is depressed, so gradually increasing the sound until the full organ is being played, thus creating a crescendo of sound. Also, for anyone looking for a large stringed instrument in the organ chamber when Fraser mentioned the "harp," don't worry if you couldn't see it, because on a cinema organ the harp is usually an instrument similar to a xylophone or glockenspiel!

[@FraserGartshore]

Perfect descriptions! Yes, sadly I had to cut out the crescendo pedal and the harp for "reliability" reasons - the harp (under the "toy counter") had a number of notes missing and the crescendo pedal wasn't a good example of what a crescendo pedal should do. There will be others though! The hunt is on for a larger TO for the channel.

[@BenAtTheTube]

@@FraserGartshore It's hard to make a good crescendo when the organ only has 8 ranks! However you could use it to set several different sound levels by just pressing the pedal, faster than flipping all the stop tablets.

[@DaveC45110]

​@@BenAtTheTube The effectiveness of the crescendo pedal comes down to the skill of the organist, not the number of pipe ranks. Too many modern day organists seem to like playing music at, or close to, full organ, so obviously the crescendo pedal makes little difference to the end result. However, you will find that amongst good theatre organists there is a saying "less is more." By choosing registrations that blend a small number of tone colours, it give you far more variety on small instruments and a much bigger effect when using the crescendo pedal. You'll notice Fraser only uses a handful of tone colours in his demonstration to give an interesting jazzy sound, if he had been able to use the crescendo pedal, we would have certainly noticed it even on this relatively small organ!

[@gordonwilliams5394]

What a wonderful organ, one or two bit of music to display the versatility of the organ. It’s just a shame that many of this type of organ have vanished in the U.K. well done for the demonstration. Looking forward to seeing many more demonstrations. Thanks.

[@peterking2794]

Another fantastic video! Wonderful to see, as always. Thank you so much! I often used to listen to 'The Organist Entertains' on BBC Radio2 on a Tuesday evening, and loved it. The inner workings of the organ are fascinating to me, and I always look forwards to the tour around the pipe loft. A little question, if you don't mind: What are the rows of green and red switches above the tabs for? My very Best Wishes. Cheers!

[@Gadgetonomy]

After watching some of your earlier videos, you are definitely developing a German 'twang' to your Scottish accent!

[@book3100]

Wow! So cool!

[@mkshffr4936]

Caught a glimpse of the old James B. Lansing loudspeakers up in the loft. Theater organs are quite a bit of fun.

[@Sotzume]

I've been many many times to hear the magnificent Wurlitzer at the Shanklin Music Hall in Groton Ma...the best thing we ever heard was the "King Kong March"...just fabulous!!!!

[@techno8870]

Brilliant! I had often wondered if there was a delay between pressing the keys and the sound.

[@amangogna68]

Really amazing and I remember a cinema organ !

[@edb5956]

Such a very nice video; such a very nice organ. Totally different sounding than a Wurlitzer, Kimball or Morton; not better just pleasantly different.

[@wmcoale]

What fun, and a great demonstration of the Welte. This one has superb and unique sound effects, too! I've played two concerts on the Welte in the NDR radio studios in Hamburg, so it was nice to see this example of an even more theatrical Welte! I hope I can visit this one on my next European trip!

[@FraserGartshore]

I’d love to get my hands on Hamburg, I hear it’s the best-kept Theater Organ in Germany! Im not sure how difficult access is to the hall - I assume it’s not that easy as it’s in the broadcast studio... when you’re back over, let me know! We can arrange a get-together in Düsseldorf!

[@wmcoale]

@@FraserGartshore Will do--thanks!! I'd love to chat and have a go at this one! You're correct--NDR is notoriously difficult to get into, since it's the largest active studio in Europe--always busy, it seems! Cheers!

[@mmtucker]

Hi fraser love your videos. Would you mind explaining what the little green and red switches do above the stops tabs?

[@richkurtz6053]

A wonderful sound. Your recording quality is excellent. I enjoyed your overview. What were the red and green switches above the tabs? I enjoy traveling the organs in the USA. My 2 favorites are the Boardwalk Hall Midmer-Losch organ in Atlantic City, New Jersey and the Sanfilippo Foundation Wurlitzer organ (5/80) in Barrington Illinois.

[@raphaelelvish2430]

Wow I have played a cinema organ that is 14 ranks and is a 1933 English Compton. And I love there sounds. Love your videos.

[@juliangerardcascio1111]

Fraser you are Wonderful, thank you so much ❤ 💖 ♥ 💗 💕 💛 ❤ 💖!!!×!!!!

[@alwaysbearded1]

Thanks for the education how those organs are different and what they can do. Reminds me of the Wurlitzer in the Paramount Theater in Oakland California. If you get to your seat early you can see the organist ride up with the console which sits on an elevator. Lots of drama. Stop by if you are ever on the West Coast while in the US.

[@doddyvanstraaten2774]

Your programs are increasingly growing on me, Fraser. Glad you have Hauptwerk up and running, whilst you're playing with Theatre Organs have you considered gaining access to Werner von Siemens 4 manual Type 260 WurliTzer in the Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung Preußischer Kulturbesitz Berlin.? In August 1929 a WurliTzer Type 250 special was installed in the concert hall of Werner Ferdinand von Siemens villa located in Berlin-Lankwitz by Walter Pierce, who had the Wurlitzer franchise for all Europe. At the end of World War II, the villa, the concert hall and the organ (both of which had previously been requisitioned by the German Third Reich) became property of the German Government. The Mighty Wurlitzer survived the war, but was seriously damaged in 1962 by a fire, which was caused by a careless cigarette. From February 1963 to December 1963 Marvin E Merchant, a G.I. stationed in Berlin, repaired the organ at his own expense. In 1982 it was given to the Staatliches Institut für Musikforschung Preußischer Kulturbesitz, where it was restored completely and installed in the museum by Eberhard Friedrich Walcker GmbH & Co. in 1984.

[@OrganMusicYT]

The Wurlitzer at the museum need's quite a bit of work to get it sounding like a Wurlitzer again though. It's never been properly set up, and ifaik offers by experts to do so have been refused (I could be wrong here).

[@oaktadopbok665]

All that from only 8 ranks! Amazing. Would love to heard you play it more! Please?

[@Samanthareneeheart10]

You would LOVE the mighty Wurlitzer theater organ at the Stephano Estate in Chicago, IL the baby grand i do beleave is coupled to the 5 manual organ.

[@pflegeteddy]

Find out more about the bordun horn at de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bordun List of Welte cinema organs here: de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Liste_der_Kinoorgeln_von_M._Welte_%26_S%C3%B6hne

[@davidredmayne7269]

Good Man!!! A great sound..and a rather "sedate" and tasteful console - when compared with the Wurlitzer in Blackpool! Best get out your sequined jacket!

[@OrganMusicYT]

Which Wurlitzer in Blackpool? There are three :p

[@juliangerardcascio1111]

I think it's going to be Great 👍!!!!

[@shadowman3320]

When you come to the U.S., you must arrange to play the Wanamaker organ in Philadelphia. At 6 manuals and 464 ranks, it is the largest fully functional organ in the world. The Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ in Atlantic City is 7 manuals and 449 ranks. Those would make some great videos.

[@FraserGartshore]

Both would be a dream to play! Let's hope it works out one day!

[@barbaralcharles]

And here in Philadelphia we get a free organ concert every day at noon!

[@marcelkerkdijk5310]

In Hilversum ( the Netherlands ) is a big 4 manual theatreorgan. It is fully restored, build by Compton.

[@tracygriffith9041]

I enjoyed hearing a theater organ back when I worked with that man he had a friend who played one he did a version of that’s entertainment

[@pinkdispatcher]

Fascinating as usual, thanks a lot. However, 9 to12 volts doesn't have to be protected from touch. Only above something like 48 V DC or so, so that would be perfectly fine even today, from a safety perspective.

[@vivc2015]

Fascinating :) How does the crescendo pedal work?

[@vincentneale2620]

Please dont let me play that organ as you would have to get a couple of guys with crowbars to get me off it -Love it - There a Compton Organ in the Odeon in Weston Super mare which I had the joy of playing many years ago, I think its the only one left in the West Country

[@cornwalldragon4617]

There's a Welte theatre organ at Scotty's Castle in the United States with a Wurlitzer-style console. There's many Welte orchestrions and Philharmonic organs. Interesting to see the combination settings on the console. Most combination action settings on a Wurlitzer or a Kimball were done on setter boards. Even the Midmer Losh at Boardwalk Hall had a setter board, but now it has the Opus 2 system. Usually for the train effect on American theatre organs, the organist will literally mash together the lowest notes on one of the manuals. Otherwise that is an interesting German theatre organ.

[@russellwaite5874]

I enjoyed this , and loved the look in the organ chamber. I'm dying to know what all the little red and green switches are above the manuals. Best wishes from Yorkshire U K.

[@WCM1945]

Hope that someday you can come to the States and try something like the Wurlitzer at the Alabama Theater in _our_ Birmingham. Beautifully restored in an also beautifully restored theater from the late silent era.

[@tom7601]

Organ Power Pizza in AZ is something to behold! :-)

[@cornwalldragon4617]

It doesn't look like a WurliTzer, Robert Morton, Moller, Kimball, Barton, Page, Compton, or Christie so I'm curious to see what wonderment awaits!

[@sallylang2554]

what are the little reed-organish stop knobs under the accomp manual, and some of them instead of green combination switches.

[@BFDT-4]

I've been waiting to see this, how cool! Fats Waller!

[@deonmurphy6383]

Perhaps you might be able to play the “Brittanic Organ” at Museum für Musikautomaten in Seewen, Switzerland. Although it is a player organ I would expect it can also be played manually.

[@mj6962]

Awwww, I missed hearing the typical British pronunciation, “Cinemerr” organ. Maybe it’s because they records this in Germany. Ha! :-D. Loved this superb demonstration!

[@FraserGartshore]

Good heavens no! No Estuary English spoken by me - I was brought up too posh for that!😂

[@mj6962]

@@FraserGartshore Well, that is wonderful. I enjoyed the video even MORE because of the correct pronunciation! 😁👍🏼 Thank you.

[@stephenrowley880]

I did enjoy the Welte organ and your playing. As you are a lover of jazz did you know that Buddy Cole also had a Wurlitzer in his studio which is now in the Motorcycle Museum Birmingham (UK). The Glasgow organ builder Hillsden made cinema organs one of which is still playing, there is also a Compton cinema organ in the museum in Glasgow and a Wurlitzer in Pollokshaws Burgh Hall in the Southside of Glasgow so, if you ever get home to Scotland you should have a try of all 3 organs or if you want something a little more jazzy look at "Pipes in the Peaks" videos.

[@FraserGartshore]

I love the BC recordings - especially those with the orchestras and big hands together. I haven’t played “his” instrument yet... back on my student days I helped out on Coatbridge on the Summerlee installation and played the East Kilbride Wurlitzer many times. Wonderful instrument. I don’t know the Pollockshaws one yet, definitely on the list though!

[@stephenrowley880]

@@FraserGartshore My son Robert did a lot of work on the Compton at Summerless last year. He has his own organ business and also works for Goetze and Gwynn. Buddy Cole has to be may favourite.

[@krumet8]

I would like to thank you for such a wonderful tour of the Welte cinema organ, you did a great job of explaining about how it works and the effects. I am the head organist at the Heights theater in Minneapolis, Minnesota, and since the corona virus, we have been shuttered, but I have been doing streaming concerts every week since then, and taking a little time to talk about how they work and the effects. We have a 16 rank Wurlitzer. I am also an organ technician, and my associates and I have restored a Barton theater organ which is in a small organ museum, which contains many different "band" organs (Gaviolis, Marenghis etc). I wonder if you have visited the Wurlitzer in Berlin? I had seen a video of this Welte before, but it was not in such good shape as it is now. You did a wonderful job (btw I too, am a huge fan of Fats Waller). I also love your other videos. Best of all wishes from Minneapolis.

[@krumet8]

This is a 3 manual, 13 rank Barton theater organ that my assosciates and I installed here in Minneapolis, Minnesota. kzbin.info/www/bejne/eJaWXoqFeqigbJo

[@PixelmechanicYYZ]

Another big difference between the theatre organ and a classical organ is the sound of the tremulants. Theatre organ terms have way more amplitude and I think some had variable speed as well.

[@louisglen1653]

Another great video....you did forget to talk about and show the crescendo pedal in operation...

[@FraserGartshore]

We had to cut that out as it wasn't working properly!

[@louisglen1653]

@@FraserGartshore Well perhaps when you return there to record some pieces it will be working. I have no doubt at all that you will make use of it. Keep up with the excellent videos!

[@chrisbooty3822]

Bet you wish that organ had a console lift!

[@dibaldgyfm9933]

I have always thought the Cinema Organ (Danish "Kino-Orgel") was a big Hammond instrument (no pipes!) but this tour was impressive! actually! wow!!!

[@thetheatreorgan168]

Funnily enough, hammonds are heavily inspired by theater organs

[@IndyMAB1964]

On the Theatre Organ Home Page theatreorgans.com/ , there are several pictures of theater organs. They also have a Theater Organ Secrets book that explains how to do sound effects for the silent films. It's worth a read. The PDF download is available at theatreorgans.com/tosecrets/tosecrets.pdf

[@jabelsjabels]

Thanks for the great look at this neat organ! Question for you: when you're accompanying a film, does the film come with sheet music or any guidance for effects and things? Or do you just kind of improvise everything?

[@FraserGartshore]

Both are possible - but most organists improvised their accompaniments to films - some spontaneous, some after seeing the film previously.

[@jabelsjabels]

@@FraserGartshore Wow, must take years of doing this to get the right feel!

[@schwarzalben88]

It’s a very dainty instrument compared with a Compton or Wurlitzer. The Hall of my secondary school in Sheffield was the home of The Sheffield Theatre Organ Societies Compton, which had a connected piano with a mirror on the underside of the lid so you could see the keys move. Unfortunately some disaffected kids broke in one night and set fire to the Hall. Compton destroyed plus 2 Grand Pianos! I now live in Cleethorpes and the console of the Theatre Organ in the old Regal Cinema in Grimsby which was in a lift, had to be kept inside a metal tank when in the lowered position as the orchestra pit used to flood at high tide.

[@jasonnong813]

The tremulant itself almost sounds like a 32'!!

[@MSMediaRotterdam]

The fun is, when you play an organ like these, you'll need to know that it takes a few milliseconds before the pipes react to your keystrokes. So you are playing with some delay. At first I found it difficult, but I got used to it very fast. Large church organs are worse on this subject. It takes a little time before the air pressure is up to level to blow the pipes a full 100%. It is beautiful technology and I like it very much.

[@OrganMusicYT]

Tbh, when you play a theatre organ, the sound is pretty much instantaneous. They are LIGHTNING fast in their action and pipe speech, particularly a Wurlitzer on its original well maintained relays. It catches alot of people out because they expect what you describe, when the opposite is true. The biggest issue is a sound delay between the console and the pipes but that is purely down to the speed of sound.

[@thetheatreorgan168]

@@OrganMusicYT makes the room and organ chambers an oven because sound travels a little faster in higher temperature

[@OrganMusicYT]

@@thetheatreorgan168 No it doesn't. A theatre organ will make negligable difference to room temperature in a theatre. Relays are also sometimes kept in a different space, and blowers in another seperate space.

[@michaelgamble296]

Was the Welte Company you talk of, involved with Player Piano Actions?

[@FraserGartshore]

That’s them! Same company - way ahead of their time with their player pianos. Welte-Mignon were the in thing back in the day. Debussy, Rachmaninov, Ravel and all sorts of other performers raved about their playback authenticity.

[@chrisweddle2577]

Takes me right back to Saturday afternoons at the Aberdeen Capitol in the 80s.

[@FraserGartshore]

Me too - that's where I started out - my first real theatre organ - Michael Thomson and the gang. Did we meet? I reckon 1988-1989 would have been my first trips through to Aberdeen!

[@chrisweddle2577]

@@FraserGartshore I don't think we ever met. I went off to study in Glasgow in 1987. I knew Mike quite well for various reasons. He died a few years ago unfortunately. Did you know the Capitol Organ is still in storage at Shore Porters'? There's still hope that a home will be found for it in Aberdeen. When I'm rich I plan to buy the Tivoli Theatre and put it in there.

[@FraserGartshore]

Shore Porters... there’s a blast from the past! Yeah, I heard Mike passed away. Real shame. Lovely guy. Brilliant organist too, shame he never had the recognition he deserved. He got me started on “proper” theatre organ technique - classical snobs will snort when they hear that. Let’s hope the organ finds a good new home, at least it’s still there! It was a great little instrument - I can even recall its smell! I took Nigel Ogden to see it in the 90s when he came to Inverness on holiday to stay with me - he loved it and featured it on the Beeb a couple of times.

[@SKYBOSS2768]

I want to see what you can do behind something like the organ I play a 4/32 Wurlitzer. Now that would be a great vid. Still excited

[@FraserGartshore]

Tell me more! That's more like it! Today's instrument is "only" a 2/8, but it's difficult to find any properly working theater organ in Germany... I need to get back to the UK or the US to visit some biggies! Back in the 90s I played all over the place on some rather delicious original installations...

[@SKYBOSS2768]

@@FraserGartshore the organ is a Wurlitzer from 1999 but before that we had a 3/12 and before that there was a 2/8 that's been there since 1926 when the theater opened. The theater in question is the Fargo theater in Fargo North Dakota USA. There are plenty of organs around town as well. I also play a 4/64 Austin organ in first Lutheran Church. But the Wurlitzer is a fantastic instrument and if you do come to America and come to North Dakota for whatever reason. We would be thrilled to have you. Here is our website if you want to learn more. rrtos.com

[@HagiaSophia1952]

FRASER: When I lived in Holbeach, Lincolnshire, I had a friend there who had the old theatre organ from the 'Granada Tooting' (I think) installed in a special (large) room in his house. I will never forget the "big wobbly flute" description from now on, as the differential factor between classical and cinema organs!

[@FraserGartshore]

Do you mean David S? I visited David a couple of times to play the Compton he installed in his house - amazing setup!

[@HagiaSophia1952]

@@FraserGartshore Spot on, Fraser! My visits were back in the 1980s, I fear. But we have renewed our acquaintance owing to my membership of BIOS.

[@FraserGartshore]

Do pass on my regards next time you see David. I recorded his signature tune "Dainty Miss" on the Welte theatre organ recently. (an extra members-only video!)

[@OrganMusicYT]

The organ from the Granada Tooting is still in the Granada Tooting. It's a travesty as it was restored and then flooded, again. It's remained unplayable since.

[@HagiaSophia1952]

@@OrganMusicYT I'm so sorry to learn of that disaster. I have obviously misremembered which London Cinema the Holbeach one came from.

[@geoffreyatherton4224]

Your next CD could be a theatre organ maybe. Ich wurde mich sehr darauf freuen.

[@FraserGartshore]

Now there’s an idea!

[@geoffreyatherton4224]

@@FraserGartshore kzbin.info/www/bejne/sHiQmImld9J_jMk