Viable organ companies

[dll927]

I have the impression that organ builders have seen better times. We no longer have Aeolian-Skinner, Moller, and some others. Austin almost bit the dust, but I guess they managed to rescusitate to some degree.

The one that seems to be operating is Schoenstein. They did the new LDS Conference Center, and also the one at First-Plymouth Congregational in Lincoln, NE (a website well worth visiting). And I guess Reuter still exists - the former organist at the Crystal Cathedral now plays at something called Shadyside Presbyterian in Pittsburgh, PA, and that's supposed to be a Reuter. At the moment it escapes me who did the one in the new cathedral in L.A.

There seem to be several smaller companies, some of which are apparently devoted largely to mechanical-action organs. And of course, there's always Casavant. But not much any more on the scale of some of the older "biggies".

And watch that Schoenstein - they are in San Francisco, which means anything they do may cost three times what is necessary anywhere else.

[Corno Dolce]

Schoenstein makes fabulous instruments worth every penny invested - yes, they are expensive but you're not getting cheapo crap. Schoenstein is now located in Benicia, Ca, Fisk is another great company as is Lively-Fulcher. Dobson made the one in the new Cathedral in L.A.

[Contratrombone64]

Corno Dolce - I don't know that one, I like L.A.'s recent Disney Concert Hall organ, a very fine instrument.

[dll927]

That one is German-made and was installed by Rosales. It's notoriously famous for its "crooked" 32-foot wood pipes. I guess it's artistic license, but they supposedly are put in so they look like nothing is holding them up. I also understand that it's difficult to get in to see it, due to rehearsal schedules and various other activities.

[Krummhorn]

Quimby Pipe Organs (Missouri) are a very reputable US builder. They have just completed the complete restoration of the Great organ at St. John the Divine in NYC.

Here in the SW desert of the US, we also have an excellent regional builder, Pipe Organ Artisans of Arizona ... Grahame Davis is the owner and a very fine organ technician. He maintains my Möller Pipe at my church and also completed a fine addition to an AS instrument in recent years (65 ranks).

Pipe organ building is not a lost are (yet) in the US ... yes, some of the big names went out of business like Möller, but that was because of pure greed by its new owners, not because of any deficiency in their building techniques. Many fine Möller's exist today and are in perfect working order ... mine included.

[Mush]

Something similar to the Disney organ is going in down the street from where I work in Phoenix. It's smaller, more French and has a nice facade.

http://www.gg-organs.com/eng/projects/phoenix.htm

[dll927]

Does anyone know about the Turner Organ Co.? They were located in Hacienda Heights, CA, which is out east of L.A. in the La Puente area. They did at least the console for the Baptist church in Bakersfield, but I don't know if they actually build organs including pipes, etc.

[methodistgirl]

I know of the Company Wicks. Look them up on the web.
judy tooley

[AllanP]

JH & CS Odell makes fine organs. There are a number of smaller, regional builders that make and restore fine instruments. In the northwest, Hochhalter is a good firm that I am familiar with.