Organ Concert series on recently restored concert hall instrument...

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http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/aug/12/symphony-concert-to-dedicate-pipe-organ/

Staff report

YOUNGSTOWN

The Youngstown Symphony Orchestra will visit Stambaugh Auditorium on Sept. 18 for a concert to dedicate the renovated pipe organ at the historic hall.

Both the YSO and Stambaugh Auditorium also will mark their 85th anniversary at the 4 p.m. concert.

Virtuoso organist David Higgs will accompany the orchestra, and Conductor Randall Craig Fleischer, in Saint Saens' Symphony No. 7 — popularly known as "the organ symphony" — and the Francis Poulenc concerto for organ, strings and timpani.

Higgs, who is chairman of the organ and historical keyboards department at Eastman School of Music at the University of Rochester (NY), also will perform solo.

For tickets to this concert, call the Powers Auditorium box office at 330-744-0264.

Two other upcoming concerts also will feature the pipe organ.

The first will be at 4 p.m. Oct. 9 with organist Thomas Murray.

A family concert, with the silent film "The Hunchback of Notre Dame," will begin at 2 p.m Oct. 29.

A children's Halloween costume party will be part of the event, which will feature organist Todd Wilson.

For tickets, call the Stambaugh box office at 330-259-0555.

Eric
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Youngstown Symphony concert will rededicate Stambaugh pipe organ A GRAND SOUND

Published: Thu, September 15, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

By GUY D'ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Years in the making, Sunday's pipe organ rededication concert at Stambaugh Auditorium has the aura of an historic event.

Not only does it mark the return of the pipe organ after a two-year, $1.5 million renovation, but it also marks the 85th anniversary of the instrument — and of the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra, which will perform.

The organ was built and installed in 1926, the year Stambaugh Auditorium opened, and the same year the YSO was formed.

Leaky pipes damaged the pipe organ in the 1940s, reducing it to a shell of its former glory.

The restoration project began in March 2009, after Stambaugh received a $750,000 grant from the Bradley Foundation. A state grant for $260,000 also was received, and the hall raised the rest of the funds.

The organ and its 3,847 pipes — which range from pencil-size to 30 inches in diameter and 30 feet tall — were dismantled and trucked to the A. Thompson-Allen Co. in New Haven, Conn., for the work. The job was completed in late 2010, and the organ was reassembled at Stambaugh by last December. A few concerts have taken place since then to properly tune the massive instrument.

The organ console now sits in the orchestra pit at center stage. The pipes have been remounted on both sides of the stage, behind a decorative facade.

Sunday's concert — which also will feature guest accompanist David Higgs of the Eastman School of Music in Rocherster, N.Y. — is actually the first in a series to feature the pipe organ. The other two will be Oct. 9 with organist Thomas Murray and Oct. 29 with Todd Wilson and a children's Halloween party. The YSO will not be part of the latter two concerts.

William Conti, president of the Stambaugh board of trustees, said Sunday's concert, a collaboration with the YSO, is "a historic event that should not be missed."

He put in perspective what the pipe organ means to Stambaugh Auditorium and its place in history. "The organ is inherent to the hall and part of [philanthropist and auditorium founder] Henry Stambaugh's dream," he said

The massive Opus 582 organ, manufactured by the E.M. Skinner Co., was scaled to fit the hall, said Conti, and is part of the building's architectural design. But its size is not its most important trait. "It's not just the number of pipes," he said." It's the execution of it that makes it so rare and fine sounding."

Because the pipes are split between both sides of the stage — the choir and swell at stage right, and the great organ and pedal (bass) at stage left — the result is "a stereophonic effect that was unheard of in those days," said Conti. "It has balance with a choir, orchestra or anything, and wonderful projection."

Stambaugh Auditorium is renowned for its fine acoustics, which rival the world's top concert halls, and Conti said the room is "grand" for pipe organ.

Sunday's concert will include the Poulenc organ concerto for strings and timpani, which Conti called a stunning accompaniment to the organ. The second half will be Saint-Saens' Symphony No. 3. In this piece, the organ becomes the undergirding for the orchestra, he said.

Conti, Patricia Syak, director of the Youngstown Symphony Society, and Randall Craig Fleischer, music director and conductor of the YSO, selected the program because of its familiarity and its balance with an orchestra.

The Youngstown Symphony called Stambaugh home until it moved into the newly refurbished Powers Auditorium in 1968. The orchestra last played at Stambaugh in 2005, at a concert to mark the renovation of the hall.

"It is proper that the Youngs-town Symphony be part of the organ rededication concert," said Conti, a strong proponent of collaboration among cultural organizations.

Fleischer will conduct Sunday's concert, and he's very much looking forward to it.

"It will be fantastic, featuring two amazing instruments — the organ, which is sort of a symphony unto itself with all the different stops and sounds, and the symphony," he said.

Fleischer has never performed with the Eastman School's Higgs. But he has experience with this unique branch of symphonic work.

"Years ago, I formed an orchestra in a beautiful church in New York City: St. Bartholomew's on Park Avenue and 51st Street," said Fleischer. "It has the largest pipe organ in New York, and I enjoyed conducting a number of works for organ and symphony orchestra. Because of this experience, I know this corner of the repertoire pretty well."

Fleischer added that he's excited about the possibility of future concerts with the YSO and Stambaugh's newly restored pipe organ.

Eric
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http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/sep/15/virtuoso-david-higgs-will-debut-refurbis/

Published: Thu, September 15, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

By GUY D'ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

David Higgs, chairman of the organ and historic instruments department at the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., will play the newly restored pipe organ at Sunday's concert at Stambaugh Auditorium.

A virtuoso on the instrument, Higgs has been the invited guest performer at many such rededication concerts across the United States. Still, he's excited about the Stambaugh concert and knows what makes the hall's pipe organ so unique.

"It's one of the finest examples of organs built in the 1920s by Ernest Skinner [of the E.M. Skinner Co.]," said Higgs. "Skinner was the Rolls-Royce of organ builders, and Stambaugh's was built in the American symphonic style, to go with an orchestra."

He also had praise for the A. Thompson-Allen Co., which restored the instrument. "They are the best in the country," he said. "[Stambaugh Auditorium] did it right."

Although no two pipe organs are exactly alike, Higgs said he has played ones similar to the one at Stambaugh.

Sunday's concert will include Poulenc's Concerto for Organ, Strings and Timpani and Saint-Saens' Third Symphony.

"The two selections are well-known and well-loved," said Higgs. "The Poulenc is a real standard. It's very dramatic, and lyrical in other sections. It runs the gamut of emotions. It starts with crashing chords on the organ, then goes quiet. In one section, it feels like it's off to the races between the organ and the orchestra."

In the Saint-Saens symphony, the organ plays "underneath" the orchestra until the last movement. "Then, all of a sudden, from silence, the organ comes crashing in," said Higgs.

Higgs said his appreciation for the pipe organ began at a young age.

"My mother said that as a little kid, I would come home from church and pretend the sofa was an organ," he said.

Higgs has been with the Eastman School of Music since 1992. Before that, he taught at Manhattan School of Music and at Church Divinity School of the Pacific Episcopal Seminary.

He has inaugurated important and historical organs at St. Stephen's Cathedral, Vienna; the Meyerson Symphony Center, Dallas; St. Ignatius Loyola, New York City; and the Philharmonic Center for the Arts, Naples, Fla.

Higgs will arrive in Youngstown Thursday to begin rehearsals. He also will give a master class for students Saturday.

Eric
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By all accounts the first concert was a resounding success ;D 8)

Hundreds revel in sounds of restored pipe organ at Stambaugh

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Published: Sun, September 18, 2011 @ 6:57 p.m.

By Elise Franco

efranco@vindy.com

Youngstown

David Higgs played new life into Stambaugh Auditorium's historic pipe organ during Sunday's rededication concert with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.

Higgs' performance Sunday afternoon marked the official return of the pipe organ, which underwent a two-year, $1.5 million restoration after it was damaged by leaky pipes in the 1940s.

Higgs, of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., said the repaired organ has returned to its former greatness.

"This hall, and this organ are absolutely first class for anywhere in the world," he said. Hundreds attended the concert today at the classic Fifth Avenue auditorium.

Read the full story with photos and video Monday in The Vindicator and on Vindy.com.

and....Published: Mon, September 19, 2011 @ 12:09 a.m.

Gallery: Stambaugh Organ Rededication
    gallery photo

    A restored 1926 pipe organ was rededicated today in Youngstown, Oh.

  Stambaugh Organ Rededication

    After an extensive restoration a 1926 pipe organ was rededicated in Youngstown, Oh.

    After an extensive restoration a 1926 pipe organ was rededicated in Youngstown, Oh.

By Elise Franco

efranco@vindy.com

Youngstown

David Higgs played new life into Stambaugh Auditorium's historic pipe organ during Sunday's rededication concert with the Youngstown Symphony Orchestra.

Higgs' performance Sunday afternoon marked the official return of the pipe organ, which underwent a two-year,

$1.5 million restoration after it was damaged by leaky pipes in the 1940s.

Higgs, of the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, N.Y., said the repaired organ with its 3,847 pipes has returned to its former greatness.

"This hall and this organ are absolutely first-class for anywhere in the world," he said.

William A. Conti, president and trustee of the YSO, said said the concert was an all-around historical event because it also marked the 85th anniversary of the YSO and of the auditorium.

"For the first time in 40 years, the organ is available for a full concert," he said. "I think those attending have a lot of enthusiasm and appreciation for that."

Phil Cannatti, executive director of Stambaugh, said the hundreds of people who attended the show were excited to be a part of that moment.

"Symphonies and organ concerts only appeal to a certain number of people," he said. "We have an enthusiastic crowd of people who showed up because they really want to be here."

Richard Witzeman, of Poland, and his daughter Alison, 12, were among those thrilled to see and hear the YSO play the organ.

Witzeman said he's been attending symphony concerts for years and came Sunday specifically to hear the organ.

"This is as good as it gets, right here," he said.

Witzeman said he brought his daughter, who plans to play clarinet in her school's marching band, because she's interested in instruments and wanted her to experience the music at a professional level.

"She was all fired up about it," he said.

Patricia Sekola, of Austintown, attended the concert with her daughter, and said her aunt was an organist for 52 years, so it's something she's grown up with.

"It's so traditional and classic," she said. "I expected to be uplifted and thrilled ... I'm so happy to be a part of it."

Conti said he hopes the concert will mark the beginning of a musical renaissance in Youngstown.

"Our community has the chance to really embrace what other cities would love to have," he said. "This organ restoration is what [philanthropist and auditorium founder] Henry Stambaugh dreamed."


Comments      (I just HAD to include the comments:)

1 [UneducatedDrone's avatar] UneducatedDrone(1632 comments)posted 15 hours, 7 minutes ago

    $1.5 million huh? Gee, sounds like they actually got a pretty good deal. I mean, the organ-restorer that is, lol.

    (-:

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2 [piak's avatar] piak(481 comments)posted 12 hours, 58 minutes ago

    At least we can call this an event of "note".

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3 [Stan's avatar] Stan(8775 comments)posted 12 hours, 21 minutes ago

    "This hall and this organ are absolutely first-class for anywhere in the world," he said."

    For 1.5 mil they should be . . ..

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4 [JBullfrog's avatar] JBullfrog(1 comment)posted 8 hours, 22 minutes ago

    It is really wonderful so see something like this happening in Youngstown. When this organ was installed in the 20s E.M. Skinner was the preeminent builder in the U.S. Today he is remembered and revered as one of the most important figures in the history of pipe organ building and represents American craftsmanship at its best. Unfortunately, many of his instruments have been lost or altered beyond recognition, and to have one in its original condition is a real treasure which could easily be considered priceless. Other important Skinner organs include one at Yale University, and, in Ohio, Severance Hall in Cleveland and the Cincinnati Union Terminal Museum Center. Thompson-Allen, who handled the restoration, was absolutely the right company for the job as they are experts in Skinner restoration and know how to do the job right. To have a comparable organ built new today could cost twice as much as this restoration did and would not include the historical importance. In addition to being used as a solo instrument, the organ will fill an important void with the Youngstown Symphony, which has not had a real pipe organ to play with as long as anyone can remember. Now they really have one of the best in the world at their disposal - they just have to trek over from Powers ;). Everyone in the area can really be proud of this, and I hope it is used often and made accessible to all who are interested. I don't live in Youngstown anymore, but hope to see and hear the organ on my next visit back. Lastly, it is always nice to read good news!

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5 [Owlguin's avatar] Owlguin(30 comments)posted 5 hours, 59 minutes ago

    Great post Bullfrog.

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6 [walter_sobchak's avatar] walter_sobchak(827 comments)posted 4 hours, 22 minutes ago

    This is good news for Y-town, folks. I'm happy and proud that funds could be raised and used to restore such a gem. The fact that our city has places such as Stambaugh, Powers, The Butler Institute and the citizens to sustain them, makes this area a great place. What would the world be without the arts?

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7 [FrankMento's avatar] FrankMento(1 comment)posted 3 hours, 49 minutes ago

    This is an excellent article. Youngstown is fortunate to have an E.M. Skinner Organ. Louis Vierne once said, "The Cavaillé-Coll organ is a superbly harnassed carriage, but the E. M. Skinner organ is a Rolls-Royce".

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8 [paulydel's avatar] paulydel(907 comments)posted 1 hour, 22 minutes ago

    I'm glad the organ is up and running. When I was in grade school we went to Kenley Hall in Warren to listen to the symphony play and becasue of what I learned from the Conductor and his explinations of the sounds I can pick out different instruments and their sounds as they come into play. I didn't know there was such a historical value on the organ but after reading this story I'd say it was money well spent. It may even bring tourists to town that like the orchestras which is good for business. There is always some no talent people with limited brain capacity making dumb comments.

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Eric
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An opera with pipe organ...

OWR production will have the added power of a pipe organ A RESOUNDING 'TOSCA'

 


Published: Thu, November 10, 2011 @ 12:00 a.m.

By GUY D'ASTOLFO

dastolfo@vindy.com

YOUNGSTOWN

Opera Western Reserve has waited years to stage "Tosca."

And now that the symphonic pipe organ at Stambaugh has been restored to its former glory, it will.

The classic Puccini opera has a famous scene in which a pipe organ is played in a church. Stambaugh's pipe organ is fresh off a two-year, $1.5 million rehab project that restored it to its original glory, and OWR director David Vosburgh is eager to use it.

"We are one of the few opera companies in the United States that can field a proper organ, and that's one of the reason we are doing 'Tosca,'" he said.

Alex Richardson, a tenor and a New Mexico native, has been tapped for the lead role of Cavaradossi, Tosca's lover. He knows that OWR scheduled "Tosca" this year to take advantage of the pipe organ and said it will make the production special.

"Very few opera houses have pipe organs and, consequently, there are very few operas that require an organ as part of the orchestra," Richardson told The Vindicator. "Most productions of 'Tosca' have to bring in a mediocre-sounding synthesizer for the church scene, but there's so much other stuff going on that I think the audiences always sort of 'forgive and forget' about the organ. This time, they're not going to forget the organ, that's for sure!"

Richardson noted that his character will have fled the church before the scene begins. "So I'll have to enjoy it from the wings."

The organ will be played by Paula Kubik.

Friday's production of "Tosca" will be the first time Richardson has sung the role of Cavaradossi, but he welcomes the challenge.

"It is definitely a large role, and it requires careful preparation in terms of the pacing of the role," he said. "The first act has some beautiful lyric singing, especially during the Tosca and Cavaradossi duet in the church. The second act is where Cavaradossi has been captured by Scarpia and is being defiant and argumentative. This singing is more dramatic than the first act, but then in the third act when Cavaradossi assumes he's about to die, he has his most introspective and delicate singing.

"Puccini really knew how to write for the voice though, and the first act is a great warm-up for the second act. But one has to be careful not to push during the second act so that you're not tired for the more delicate singing in the third act."

Richardson's appearance in Youngstown is just part of a busy season for him.

In early October, he was the soloist at the Five Boroughs Music Festival in New York, at which every piece was a world premiere.

After that, he was the soloist in performances of "Carmina Burana" with Susquehanna Valley Chorale in Lewisburg, Pa.

His whirlwind pace will continue after "Tosca."

He'll head back to New York in December to sing the role of Count Vaudemont in Tchaikovsky's "Iolanta."

Then in January and February, Richardson will cover for the lead tenor role in Rufus Wainwright's new opera "Prima Donna" with the New York City Opera, and will follow that by covering the title role of Werther at Washington National Opera.

http://www.vindy.com/news/2011/nov/10/owr-production-will-have-the-added-power/

Eric
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