Something not quite correct?Suggest an Edit
We are grateful for the generous support of our sponsors, who make it possible for us to continue our mission of preserving and promoting the rich history of pipe organs across the globe.
Something missing?Add Image
Something missing or not quite correct?Add StoplistorSuggest an Edit
Something missing or not quite correct?Add ConsoleorSuggest an Edit
Updated through online information from Tom Scheck. -- The stops and couplers were in two rows above the Swell manual, with a rare combination of stop keys and tilting tablets. The speaking stops and percussions were in the bottom row and were controlled by stop keys. The tremolos and all couplers were in the top row and were controlled by tilting tablets. From left to right, the stops were arranged: Swell, Pedal, Great, Choir. Within the divisions, the reeds were towards the center of the console. The higher pitched flues were towards the outside of the console and the lower pitched flues towards the center of the console. The Chimes and Harp were to the extreme right of the Great and Choir respectively. Therefore, in the Swell and Pedal, the reeds were to the right of their respective divisions and the flues were arranged in the exact opposite order normal today. In the Great and Choir, the reeds were to the left of their respective divisions and the flues were in the order normal today. The tremolos and couplers were also in an usual arrangement. The two tremolos were grouped together and all couplers were arranged in groups of three. From left to right: the three unison off couplers, the two tremolos (labeled "Tremolo to Choir" and Tremolo to Swell"), the three manual super couplers to Pedal, the three manual unison couplers to Pedal, the three intermanual sub couplers, the three intermanual unison couplers, the three intermanual super couplers, the three intramanual sub couplers and lastly the three intramanual super couplers. There were four thumb pistons for each Great and Swell and three thumb pistons for each Choir and Pedal. There were reversible thumb pistons and toe studs for all three manual to Pedal couplers as well as reversible sforzando thumb piston and toe stud. There were no general pistons and no general cancel piston. Although there were three thumb pistons for the Pedal division, there were no Pedal toe studs.
Identified through online information from Tom Scheck. -- I became organist of St. John's Church after the contract for this organ's replacement had been signed. The builder of the replacement organ, Hillgreen, Lane & Company, took the Votteler-Holtkamp-Sparling organ in trade, but did not plan to use any part of the Votteler-Holtkamp-Sparling in the new instrument. Seeing value in some of the Votteler-Holtkamp-Sparling pipework, I asked Robert Hillgreen if I could purchase some of the ranks. Mr. Hillgreen's response was that he was sure no church would be satisfied with any of the old organ's ranks. When the Votteler-Holtkamp-Sparling was removed, I was horrified that all parts of the organ were discarded as junk. All metal pipes were flattened to be used for scrap and all wood pipes were destroyed. To this day, I wish I had some of those stops. Some of the Choir stops were especially beautiful, including the Concert Flute, Orch. Flute (harmonic), Piccolo (harmonic) and Clarinet, which had wooden resonators and boots. I'd also love to have that big fat 16' Open Diapason as well as the French Horn and a few other ranks.
Something missing or not quite correct?Add NoteorAdd WebpageorAdd Cross ReferenceorSuggest an Edit