Curtis Organ: Difference between revisions
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The '''Curtis Organ''', named for publisher [[Cyrus Hermann Kotzschmar Curtis|Cyrus H. K. Curtis]], is one of the largest [[pipe organ]]s in the world with 10, |
The '''Curtis Organ''', named for publisher [[Cyrus Hermann Kotzschmar Curtis|Cyrus H. K. Curtis]], is one of the largest [[pipe organ]]s in the world with 4 manuals and pedal, 162 pipe ranks and 10,731 pipes. It was manufactured in six months in 1926 by the [[Austin Organs, Inc.|Austin Organ Company]] as its Opus 1416 for the [[Philadelphia]] [[Sesquicentennial Exposition]]. The specifications were formulated by Henry S. Fry, John McE. Ward, Rollo F. Maitland, Frederick Maxson, and S. Wesley Sears, all Philadelphia organists.<ref>http://www.austinorgans.com/about-us-photogallery-content.htm Austin Organ Company webpage including the Curtis Organ</ref> (ref link is broken) |
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Curtis acquired the instrument |
The Exposition was plagued by bad weather, went bankrupt and closed early. The organ and other property was sold off by Samuel T. Freeman & Co., a Philadelphia auction house. Curtis acquired the instrument and donated it to the [[University of Pennsylvania]], where it was incorporated into [[Irvine Auditorium]] at the time of the building's construction. The organ installation caused a reduction in seating capacity of the building by almost 600 and delayed the opening of the building. It sat in crates under the bleachers at [[Franklin Field]] for approximately 18 months. |
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In the 1990's, the organ was connected to a customized [[MIDI]] interface, making it the world's largest MIDI-capable instrument. |
In the 1990's, the organ was connected to a customized [[MIDI]] interface, making it (then) the world's largest MIDI-capable instrument. |
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==References== |
==References== |
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==External links== |
==External links== |
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*[http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/perelmanquad/facilities/irvine_auditorium/curtisorgan.html University of Pennsylvania's |
*[http://www.vpul.upenn.edu/perelmanquad/facilities/irvine_auditorium/curtisorgan.html University of Pennsylvania's Perelman Quadrangle page] |
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*[http://www.facebook.com/home.php#/group.php?gid=38487986787 Facebook Group page] |
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Revision as of 04:41, 20 July 2009
The Curtis Organ, named for publisher Cyrus H. K. Curtis, is one of the largest pipe organs in the world with 4 manuals and pedal, 162 pipe ranks and 10,731 pipes. It was manufactured in six months in 1926 by the Austin Organ Company as its Opus 1416 for the Philadelphia Sesquicentennial Exposition. The specifications were formulated by Henry S. Fry, John McE. Ward, Rollo F. Maitland, Frederick Maxson, and S. Wesley Sears, all Philadelphia organists.[1] (ref link is broken)
The Exposition was plagued by bad weather, went bankrupt and closed early. The organ and other property was sold off by Samuel T. Freeman & Co., a Philadelphia auction house. Curtis acquired the instrument and donated it to the University of Pennsylvania, where it was incorporated into Irvine Auditorium at the time of the building's construction. The organ installation caused a reduction in seating capacity of the building by almost 600 and delayed the opening of the building. It sat in crates under the bleachers at Franklin Field for approximately 18 months.
In the 1990's, the organ was connected to a customized MIDI interface, making it (then) the world's largest MIDI-capable instrument.
References
- ^ http://www.austinorgans.com/about-us-photogallery-content.htm Austin Organ Company webpage including the Curtis Organ
External links
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