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Arts center needs its crowning jewel

Started by KB7DQH, June 29, 2012, 03:43:21 AM

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KB7DQH

What follows is a letter to the editor of a Florida newspaper calling for the installation of a Pipe Organ in a new concert hall to be built in Orlando, Florida...

QuoteAs a strong patron of the arts in this community, I am excited to see the progress being made in the construction of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts, Phase I. A 1,700-seat acoustic hall for ballet, opera and symphonic performances is scheduled to be constructed in Phase II.

More than 20 of our major cities have world-class centers that contain a visual centerpiece — a crowning jewel — "the king of instruments," as Mozart labeled the organ. Pipe organs are standard components of concert halls around the world. With almost 400 compositions for orchestra with organ, in addition to a plethora of selections for brass with organ and band with organ, it is easy to understand why the organ would greatly increase programming opportunities for the symphony and other ensembles.

The pipe organ has earned its place in any symphony hall because it is used in core repertoire. Without it, tonal and stylistic accuracy would be incomplete.

Millions of visitors have enjoyed hearing Camille Saint-Saëns' Organ Symphony No. 3 in C Minor as part of the French pavilion presentation at Epcot, but there is so much more. There are three centuries of organ concertos ranging from G. F. Handel to Calvin Hampton we could enjoy.

Hundreds of composers from many musical periods have written music for organ and orchestra, such as Mahler, Tchaikovsky, Liszt, Hindemith, Barber and Copland. To not have these programmed is to settle for something less than the best.

Holding membership in the American Guild of Organists for many years, I have attended numerous regional and national AGO conventions, where those in attendance have had the privilege of hearing many fine instruments in concert with an orchestra.

My passion is no different than the 118 members of our Central Florida Chapter, AGO. Together we envision a stellar concert hall complete with a pipe organ designed acoustically fitting to support the orchestra. The organ as a solo instrument as well as an orchestral and choral music supporter would definitely be a financial plus for the center.

Support from corporations, individuals, families and civic organizations can make this dream a reality.

Will Orlando be a city with a crowning jewel — a world-class pipe organ as the centerpiece in the performing-arts center?

Ture Larson of Orlando is dean of the Central Florida Chapter, American Guild of Organists.

http://articles.orlandosentinel.com/2012-06-28/opinion/os-ed-performing-arts-pip-organ-myword-062812-20120627_1_pipe-organ-organ-and-orchestra-crowning-jewel

And the iPetition text...

QuoteThe Petition

Dear Patron and Friend of the Arts,

As you many know Central Florida has embarked on a once in a lifetime opportunity with the birthing of Phase I of the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts. All major halls and art centers across American and the world include a Pipe Organ in their halls to be a complete world class arts complex.

We are concerned to learn, with Orlando being a world class destination, the Executive Board of the Arts Center has not yet included a pipe organ in Phase II of the building plan. The inclusion of a pipe organ at the hall would cost less than 1% of the total cost of the DPAC project itself!

A Pipe Organ would bring more musical diversity to the centers repertoire. For example, more than 300 organ/orchestra pieces plus 10's of thousands of organ and choral works would be available which would otherwise not be heard or capable of performance. The organ would also serve as a communal focal point and center piece creating a visual as well as aural musical piece of art.

Without your voice of support the pipe organ or as described by W.A. Mozart "The King of Instruments" may not be included in "our" community performing arts center.

Please sign below and encourage the Dr. Phillips Center for the Performing Arts Executive team to strongly consider the inclusion of a pipe organ in Phase II of the concert hall yet to be built.

The link to the online petition...

http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/dpac-organ/

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."