Preston Court Dansorgel Mortier Dance Organ 'Neptune' plays 'Istanbul'

Preston Court's 112-key Mortier dance hall organ. The organ was built in 1937 and is serial number 1076. It was used in a mobile dance tent called 'Luxor', and has a fully working accordion, plus piccolo pipes worked from the extra keys (compared to a 'standard' 101 key Mortier).
David Burville has been steadily restoring the instrument, first musically, and then more recently, the Art Deco front, and it is seen here almost ready to be painted to a close original finish.
The organ is seen here being demonstrated by David Burville on a private visit, and given that the air temperature was extremely cold inside and out, I think the instrument can be forgiven the occasional 'duff' note!
In this video clip the tune is 'Istanbul'.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• mortier
• dansorgel
• dance organ
• burville
• preston
• front
• 112
• key
• luxor
• neptune
• art deco

[perleeman]

Well done to David, Very nice indeed, the facade already looks impressive, I can't wait to see the end result! the 'Istanbul' arrangement is by Marcel Bartier (1897-1965), an absolute genius music arranger who I consider to be one of Belgium's greatest music arrangers who arranged music for these organs in their commercial heyday. In my opinion, these organs play at their best when they play original dance music such as this.

[nickn5nl]

@perleeman I absolutely agree, the front looks fantastic and I also find the original short Belgian/Dutch dance tunes bring out the best of these Mortier (and Decap) dance organs.

[balmesh]

Very nice, too. Can Roger and David take this one around or is it stuck in a barn?

[nickn5nl]

Well it's owned by the owner of Preston Court, David has been restoring it, but, no, it is not on a trailer so will be in the (large) barn permanently.

[perleeman]

Thanks!

[balmesh]

Thanks for that. Let's hope it gets regularly exercised!