Los Angeles herald., 1907-10-13

The spoet pipes his lay" to good eff
feet It's true, but unless the organ
builder '1ay his pipes" to goodly pur-
pose the organist will have sorry
time of it.
Many an organist is fortunate that
"on his ears falls but thunderous
roar"-if he could hear the effect in "all
the temple vast and dim" he would
quit in disgust, not that the player
would be at fault but what can one do
with an instrument that refuses to re-
spond to the moods of the musician,
that is so constructed that artistic per-
formance is impossible?
In Southern California there are
many good organists, some are artists
of almost national fame. But we are
not so well favored with good organs,
especially in our smaller churches.
Several of the most accomplished musi-
clans hereabouts are laboring with an
tiquated instruments. 1 admire the pa
in love with their work. unless they
were intensely earnest, many console
seat would be vacant.
Many New Instruments
1t is with pleasure, however, that we
find a gradual betterment of condi-
tions. There Isl great activity among
ent, and several new organs have been
ins tailed and many others contracted
for.
One of the new organs is that re-
Gently installed at the new Lave Ave-
nue. Methodist church, Lake avenue and
East Colorado street. Pasadena. This
fine instrument was supplied by the
George j. Birkel company, 345-347
South Spring street, Los Angeles. 1t is
one of the famous Estey pipe organs,
built at Brattleboro, VT.
This organ is built with all the well
tested Estey patented features. IT. is
an instrument that any musician would
glory in 1t Is easy of response, res
onant in tone, quick in action. Its
effect is all that a critical audience
desires.
The pastor of the church recently
wrote the following appreciation of it:
Geo j. Birkel Company.
Gentlemen:
1.-The Estey pipe organ and
Kenetic organ blower installed by
you in our new church few weeks
ago is proving highly. satisfactory.
in fact we are delighted with 1t and
do not hesitate to say so. 1t meets
our needs and we hear many
words of commendation from peo-
pie in the audience from time to
time
"The committee feels that we
made no mistake in buying through
your Mr.. Gardner an Estey pipe
organ.
Yours most sincerely,
Vincent Hunter Brink"
Design Beautiful
In exterior this organ is sngularly
beautiful The casing was designed to
accord with the woodwork of the
church, hand carved in a modified mis-
sion style. The speaking pipes, which
rise to an impressive height, are deco
rated with olive, cream and gold. Mis-
sion lighting fixtures add to the superb
effect and are extremely practical be-
sides.
Lack of space forbids me to enter
into a detailed description of the
organs construction, but there is one
feature particularly want to mention.
That is the Haskell patent register
keys. This system does away with the
antiquated draw stops, enabling the
organist to change his tstop combina-
tions in about one-eighth the time con-
sumed when using the old draw stops.
The Haskell register keys consist of an
abridged keyboard placed Just above
the manuals. The white key, which
is not diminutive but of full width,
when depressed brings into play the
register of pipes or couplers indicated
on its face, and it's companion black
key when depressed closes this register.
This system is remarkable for sim