Meet the Theatre Organ

David Bailey, Lance Hutchinson and Ron West promote the theatre pipe organs of Brisbane and Pomona Queensland. David Plays "Nice work if you can get it" George Gershwin.
Visit http://www.tosa-qld.org

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Theatre Organ
• QAGOMA
• Gallery of Modern Art Brisbane
• Christie
• Wurlitzer
• Brisbane Regent Theatre

[profgyland2]

Simply awful! It is ridiculous to use such an instrument for this kind of music. You should know: Horses for Courses. It sounds terrible. This is the domain for digital instruments and keyboards. The player maybe very good in his techniques but in the selection of the instrument I say no. No wonder that most people dislike organ music for entertainment. Listen to Florian Huttner on his Wersi keyboard than you know what I am talking about.Theater organs have vanished from Cinemas. Great!

[TheWhitecloak]

I agree Florian Huttner does a great job on the Wersi. I would like you to appreciate the TPO was built in the 1920's to provide atmosphere and to help convey the story on an otherwise silent screen. Before large amplifiers there was no other way of filling a room of up to 4000 people. The Wersi could be claimed to be a 'descendant' of the TPO. I experienced the earth shattering rumble of a 32 foot diaphone and the pure accoustic tone of the TPO and appreciated the technology of the day.

[davidgray2]

You know these instruments were developed to play light music. You might prefer your Wersi, but there's no reason to come down so hard on theatre organs. The appeal about them is that they're real. And when they're at their best, they are extremely convincing in anything they do, and are unique to themselves in sound. It's rather closed minded of you to pass judgement on this entire genre on hearing just one example. Go and listen to other examples of theatre organ playing then make up your mind

[TheWhitecloak]

Well said David. The TPO being the instrument which set the ground rules for the electronic "descendants". I noticed profgyland has copied and paste the same words on a number of very good performances on youtube.

[TheWhitecloak]

And don't forget the space required is about two living rooms for the pipes , another dust free place for the blower and three phase power for the motor.....oh..and if it still has the original relays...maybe another small room!

Go for it...you'll love it!

[TheWhitecloak]

"Nice Work if you can get it" by George Gershwin. David's sentiments when I asked him to play something upbeat for the video. I'm interested to hear about your T.O scene..

[regent260]

It depends what you mean by affordable. A good price for a 15 rank wurlitzer pipe organ in working order is around $50,000 - $100,00. If that is not a bad prospect I suggest you get in touch with ATOS in america and ask for their classifieds or some advice for purchases of suitable organs.

[TheJuicyfruitx]

Does any body know how I can get an instrument like this at an affordable price?

[clancuthbertson]

Just a simply amazing creation. And those who played them were true artisans! Thanks for sharing this.

[worldlinerai]

What was David Bailey playing at 5:51?