July 5, 2006 by rohrwerk.

So, after Dobson’s renovation in 1996, we have just enough extra weight
without the sizzle, an extra foundation division (Solo), a bit of
revision in organ layout, completion of most of the basic 3-manual
scheme, and a few additions such as the “Chalumeau” (Cromorne), and some
harmonic flûtes to die for. Final spec from the Dobson site is here:

http://www.dobsonorgan.com/html/instruments/resto_rebuild/valparaiso.html

Now, the opening service…

Christopher Cock’s Valparaiso University Bach Choir is a premier group
by any standard, auditioned from a wider pool than the student body -
see http://www.valpo.edu/bach/bach_choir.html - beginning with Bach’s
memorable little early motet for double choir, “Ich lasse dich nicht, du
segnest mich denn” , a Mendelssohn setting of Psalm 43, and Bach’s
motet, “Lobe den Herren, alle Heiden.” . Hymns were grandly set by
Richard Webster, one being the hymn used for the dedication of the
Letourneau organ in Houston, TX (cover feature of TAO a while back).
Proulx’s commissioned piece, “Works of the Great Spirit”, based on
native American texts, was a moving exploration of the “we are all part
of creation” spirituality… Richard Webster took on the Auden “He Is
the Way” text, another commission for the convention. A rousing
rendition of the Vierne Finale from Symphony I by Martin Jean only
disappointed me in the lighter registrations featured in the middle
sections - I was hoping to hear all those nice “fonds” over some swell
reeds, but a different approach was taken than replicating the specified
registrations, which I can’t say is “wrong”, just that it disappointed
*me* … oh, well, what did the preacher just say about listening
with the intent to one-up your colleagues? :-) …

More…

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July 5, 2006 by rohrwerk.

With time only for selected events, despite my proximity to ChicAGO, (the 2006 national convention of the American Guild of Organists, Chicago) ,there was no doubt of my plan to re-visit the holy ground of Valparaiso
University’s Chapel of the Resurrection, which represents a lot about my
own early background and whose instrument, path-breaking within the
neo-classic milieu, has also evolved with the times. Since I was only
familiar with the organ’s renovation through recordings, I knew it was
about time to experience this venue in the flesh. with my own ears and guts.

My own humble photos, a bit dingy due to the gray skies outside, are at
http://lorenz.seboldt.net/photos/060703-valpo/images.html … this
striking 1960’s space was a monument of Lutheran high-church of the
time, with the brilliant riot of stained-glass color and a potpourri of
symbolism you could spend hours unpacking (and part of the fun was doing
just that as the worship and music unfolded).

My own personal connection with the place began with campus visits when
my older brother attended in the early 60’s - the whole thing just
captivated me… from singing “The God of Abraham Praise” with a pretty
full campus congregation… to hearing (and recording) some student
practicing Alain’s “Deux danses” and Marchand’s striking 6-voice “Plein
jeu” (the one with double-pedal)… to later visits in the 80’s for
Institute of Liturgical Studies sessions… and, last time, finally
playing the instrument in the early 90’s, in its original state, as
renovation plans were firming up.

The 1959 Schlicker instrument, with the noted/notorious Paul Bunjes as
consultant, was certainly an organ of substance for its day - with its
16′ “Holzprincipal” in the pedal (a lighter relative of the British
“open wood”?!), wooden Pedal Posaune, and 16′ principal basis on the
Great, the stage was set for more-than-adequate sonority, and in the
huge room the trademark sizzle of the foundation work was not at all
unpleasant. The later extremes of Bunjes’ designs - missing 8′
principals, weird pipe formats - were not much in evidence, and even the
one oddball mutation that was prepared for (Swell Schreipfeife, 1-3/5 +
1-1/7) had to wait for Dobson’s completion!

More…

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July 5, 2006 by rohrwerk.

http://www.faithfabric.com/tbh/gary/citymethodist.htm

Having just passed Gary, IN on my way back from Valparaiso, IN, I was reminded of these photos of a grand old church edifice left to decay.

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