Michael Dirk - VSO Orpheum Theater 85th Anniversary

Описание: www.vancouversymphony.ca/concert/12SPEC12/
www.pstos.org/instruments/bc/vancouver/orpheum.htm

I had the privilege of showcasing the historic 'Mighty Wurlitzer' style 240 for the Orpheum Theater's 85th birthday celebration by the VSO.

As the only theater organ in all of Canada which has been left untouched in its original home since 1927 I thought I'd offer a medley of popular tunes written around that period:
1929 Happy Days are here again (full)
1926 Ain't She Sweet (full)
1924 Hello My Baby (full)
1924 Tea for Two (vox humana)
1924 Memory Lane (marimba-harp/chrysigott)
1905 My Merry Oldmobile (Oooga horn-full)
1918 Till We Meet Again (Tuba/Chimes)
1908 Take Me Out to the Ballgame (full)
1927 Strike Up the Band! (full - xylo/perc)

9 of the 13 ranks were functioning (no Tibia, Oboe, Kinura, Celeste), but all the traps on the toy counter were functioning with the exception of the bass drum which needs new skins.

Following the Wurlitzer 'overture', president of Vancouver Civic Theater Board Rob Haynes spoke and then introduced Maestro Bramwell Tovey who improv-accompanied Chaplin's short: How to Make a Movie. After intermission the VSO accompanied Chaplin's 90 min feature: City Lights

My many thanks to Orpheus curator David Quinton who had to resurrect the true theater aspects of the organ that haven't been used in over a decade, and many thanks to MGMedia for the video footage and syncing/mixing it up with the in-house archival recording. (Unfortunately the principle mics are in each organ chamber and don't capture the expression swells very effectively)