Robert Heilbuth - eccentric pipe organ builder/composer

Heilbuth built pipe organs out of various bits and pieces. He composed original waltzes and polkas for his organs, which played his tunes via paper rolls. Here, we see his band organ (orchestrion) playing his arrangements of "Minuit Polka" Op.168 (Emil Waldteufel) and "Never On A Sunday" (Manos Hadjidakis, Billy Towne) . Recorded by me in Heilbuth's San Francisco home, March 19, 1994

Category:

Music

Tags:

• heilbuth
• eccentric
• composer
• orchestrion
• organist
• lavey
• outsider

[WildStrawberryFilms]

I recorded all of Robert's organ music on 4channel 10.5 ips master tapes. I'm thinking of making them publicly available. Let me know what you think.

[aubreyweirdsley]

I've heard some of your Heilbuth recordings- they are amazing. The world would be a better place if it could experience the recorded proof of Heilbuth's genius.

[niche2000]

So many home built organs just do not cut it musically. This mans work is exceptional. He was clearly not only an excellent craftsman and engineer but also had a keen musical ear.

The voicing, regulating, tuning and arrangements are fantastic. I do hope the current owners continue to maintain this instrument to Mr Heilbuth's high standards.

A true delight!

[MonicaDupont]

I'm Robert's only living relative & watched him build his masterpieces.I'm 63 now & started seeing the beginning of this at age 7.He was amazing & I'd like to thank you for posting this & also thank people who left kind comments.He was indeed a genius! GP wrote me here & asked how to reach me & honestly,I only check YouTube about once a month-best way- type my name into Reverb Nation or My Space & I'll get your email & yes, I would love to share some Cousin Robert stories with you ! thank you !

[bietebouwer]

@WildStrawberryFilms Out of curiosity: any news on making your recordings publicly available? Once I saw and esp. heard this recording, it became clear to me that Robert Heilbuth was a pure genius, and I'm curious to hear more from him ...

[john1801rambo]

sounds pretty good for something built "out of bits and pieces" ! This is I assume what we call a Fairground organ in the UK....

[tinnellhickory]

My husband and I knew Robert well. We have much of his music recorded, some he did for our wild west show. We still own a fabulous air calliope that Robert built - the pipes are all made of wood. Unlike steam, which runs out if a key is held down too long...the air calliope can sustain notes due to the endless supply of air. It's a real musical instrument. Robert was truly a genius.

[namaste91]

such people should be under "protection of species";) It's amazing: San Francisco seems to be a habitat for freaks and mechanical music instruments!Two of the reasons i have to go there!!

[tussetuss]

Sure, regarded as a film it´s atrocious ("Spray painting" we used to call it)

iJust close your eyes and listen ;-)

[formichinoo]

Thats not a nice comment for the photographer or spastics!

[garys737]

Incredible....................­......