Delivery and installation of Paul Fritts latest...

[KB7DQH]

http://azstarnet.com/news/local/foothills/st-alban-s-to-get-pipe-organ-made-by-leading/article_3499ff17-bf20-56ca-bc89-8ac594e7ca1f.html

Submitted by Stephen Keyl St. Alban's Music Director


A new pipe organ is coming to St. Alban's Episcopal Church near Sabino Canyon and River roads in Tucson.

The organ is expected to be delivered Saturday and installed over the following weeks.

The builder, Paul Fritts of Tacoma, Wash., is one of the leading organ builders in the world today, with instruments at the University of Notre Dame, Arizona State University in Tempe, Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and St. Joseph Cathedral in Columbus, Ohio, as well as other major institutions.

The St. Alban's organ has many distinctive features, including the use of mechanical ("tracker") action to connect the keys to the pipes. This principle was used in all organs until pneumatic and electric systems became prevalent around 1900. Several organ builders have returned to the earlier technology, and many musicians prefer it because it gives the organist greater control over the "speech" of the pipes.

The Fritts organ at St. Alban's will be the first large-tracker organ in Tucson. It has casework of clear fir, embossed facade pipes and carvings by the builder's sister, Judy Fritts.

The new organ is most suited for music of the Baroque era but will capably perform more modern music as well. It will be dedicated at a special service on Sept. 23. On Nov. 4 the first of a series of recitals will feature Kimberly Marshall, director of Arizona State University's music school.

Eric
KB7DQH

[KB7DQH]

http://www.kvoa.com/news/new-pipe-organ-at-st-alban-s-sounds-like-a-little-piece-of-heaven/#!prettyPhoto/0/

The link above should open into a video player window with the television news item 8) 8) 8) which of course, has some sound nibbles of the instrument ;)

TUCSON- St. Alban's Episcopal Church, near River and Sabino Canyon Roads, recently purchased a new one of a kind pipe organ.

Music Director Steve Keyl says the church began raising money for the organ nine years ago. "Part of our mission is to inspire," Keyl says. "Music is an important part of this congregation and people just wanted to have an outstanding organ."

The organ was made by Paul Fritts of Tacoma, Washington. Keyl says he is one of the leading organ builders in the world. "He's one of the best."

The instrument is special because it's all hand-made. "The connection between the keys and the pipes is just a direct mechanical link, no electricity is involved," Keyl says. "This is very old technology from the middle ages."

Keyl says many organists and builders are returning to the old style. "Playing it is like being in heaven," Keyl says.

St. Alban's is holding a dedication ceremony for the organ. It will be September 23 at the church.

Eric
KB7DQH