Looking Back
Ninety years ago, The Diapason published its first edition. The December 1909 issue reported that--
Wilhelm Middleschulte played the dedication recital on a new Hann-Wangerin-Weickhardt organ at First Baptist Church, Milwaukee, WI.
The Auditorium Theatre in Chicago denied rumors that the Frank Roosevelt organ was to be torn out in the process of remodeling the building.
Hook & Hastings, in issuing a new catalogue, was described as the oldest organbuilding firm in the United States, having begun in 1827.
William E. Curtis described the Salt Lake City Tabernacle organ. Chief organist was John J. McClellan.
Seventy-five years ago, the December 1924 issue of The Diapason reported that--
The Aeolian Organ Company won the contract for a six-manual organ for Kindt Concertorium Theatre in Davenport, Iowa.
M.P. Möller won the contract for a 4-manual, 95-stop organ for the newly built Washington Auditorium in the nation’s capitol.
Marcel Dupré began his third American tour with a recital at the Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia.
Palmer Christian appeared with the Detroit Symphony Orchestra.
Clarence Eddy completed a west coast tour.
Albert Riemenschneider would play all 10 of Widor’s organ symphonies in five series that season.
Ralph Kinder celebrated his 25th anniversary at Church of the Holy Trinity, Philadelphia.
The Eastman School of Music advertised its “Course for Motion Picture Organists.”
Women organists in Boston formed the Women Organ Players’ Club of Boston, with Miss Edith Lang as president.
Advertisers included Skinner, Bennett, Weickhardt-Schaefer, Barton, Votteler-Holtkamp-Sparling, Hinners, Sommerhof, Midmer-Losh, Pilcher, Kimball, Gevena, Hall, Odell, Hook & Hasting, and Wangerin, among others.
Fifty years ago, the December 1949 issue of The Diapason reported--
The Diapason celebrated 40 years from its humble beginning.
Clarence Dickinson celebrated his 40th anniversary as organist and choirmaster at Brick Presbyterian Church in New York City.
Edward Eigenschenk celebrated his 20th anniversary at Second Presbyterian Church in Chicago.
David Craighead’s recital at Rockefeller Chapel of the University of Chicago received a favorable review.
Fernando Germani played a recital at Thorne Hall of Northwestern University.
Robert Noehren wrote about his summer study of historic organs in Holland, Switzerland, France, and North Germany.
The Buffalo AGO Chapter celebrated its 30th anniversary.
Advertisers included Aeolian-Skinner, Reisner, Estey, Kilgen, La Marche, Möller, Wurlitzer, Arkansas Organ Co., Hillgreen, Lane & Co., and Frazee, among others.
Twenty-five years ago, the December 1974 issue of The Diapason reported--
Thomas Matthews retired as Dean of the Evergreen Conference in Colorado.
Feature articles included “Lynnwood Farnam--Master Organist of the Century,” by Jeanne Rizzo; “Herbert Howells’ ‘Lambert’s Clavichord’,” by Larry Palmer; and “The Organ Concerto Arrangements of Johann Gottfried Walther,” by Sarah E. Hanks.
Appointments included: Peter Crisafulli to St. Mark’s Episcopal Church, Evanston, IL; Huw Lewis to St. John’s Episcopal Church, Detroit, MI; Dale G. Rider to Christ Church Episcopal, St. Joseph, MO.
Lawrence I. Phelps & Associates completed the installation of a new organ at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church, Ft. Collins, CO.
Ten years ago, the December 1989 issue of The Diapason reported--
Appointments included: Charles Callahan to the faculty at Rollins College, Winter Park, FL; SharonRose Dryer to the faculty of Nazareth College, Rochester, NY; Donald Joyce appointed Interim Music Director at St. John’s in the Village, NYC; Pamela Ruiter-Feenstra to Bethany College, Lindsborg, KS; Max Yount to St. Paul’s Lutheran Church, Beloit, WI.
Feature articles included: “Computer Assisted Design: Three Challenges for the Future,” by Herbert L. Huestis; and “Charles-Valentin Alkan, part 2,” by John Wells.
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