Post date: Aug 13, 2014 5:18:21 PM
25 April 1966
The organ is rising rapidly. Last week we finished the case. This week we will build in the front pipes and the mechanical action. The stop action is finished. Surprising how fast it goes when we do as much as possible in the workshop and on the drawing board. Unfortunately the pipes are not yet voiced and the reeds not even in Brackwede, but that will come.
I’m singing in the choir here in Neuss and will probably come down for the dedication concert. The choir director is also organist and very amazing for a German: he was first a cabinet-maker, then became organist and church musician. Jack-of-all-trades sort. The choir in Bielefeld is singing a couple of concerts but unfortunately during the week and we won’t be back in Bielefeld in time.
Dave Dahl and Glenn White are considering buying an organ-building company in New Zealand. Our competitor (69 year-old) in Seattle was bought out by a former employee (which we hoped to do). Where they plan to get the money is beyond me. Dave wrote of $30,000 down payment.
Last weekend I drove to Frankfurt to visit my friends from the Goethe Institut. The traffic around Cologne is really terrible. This Saturday we drove back to Brackwede to collect a few missing pieces [for the organ in Neuss]. Saturday night the hiking club had a party which was lots of fun. Then Sunday afternoon we took a walk through the Spring-bursting woods and in the evening heard a brass choir concert. Next Sunday we may drive down the Rhine towards Bonn and Bad Godesberg. Then on the following weekend I expect a visitor.
14 May 1966 - Saturday
We have been busy. We work from 7am to 7pm, then go out to eat. Düsseldorf is just across the Rhine.
Two weekends ago we visited Neandertal, then Sunday took a river boat trip to Koblenz. Excellent weather and good scenery. A really worthwhile journey. Last weekend I had a visit from an organist stationed in Frankfurt. (I was just conversing in German and trying to write in English. My style must read pretty funny!) We saw an excellent-sounding organ in Halle which I must show to Dave Dahl when he comes.
Sunday morning last we were supposed to have an early hike, so we got up a 4:30am. When we reached the meeting place only one girl was there. We piled back in the car and all three drove to Soest, where there are five wonderful old churches within a square kilometer. One the journey home we visited the cathedral in Paderborn.
I had not counted on working here in Neuss again this past week, but the reed pipes did not come until Wednesday. We haven’t yet adjusted the action or polished the front pipes, so we will have to come back next week, too. In nine days is the dedication concert! Going to be close. The voicers are also here, but we make noise and they want quiet, and they sit in the organ and we want to go in and out.
When I build an organ I hope we won’t set the dedication date so early that we can’t finish the work without working until midnight. I think, too, it would pay to have a small house trailer instead of putting up with the inadequacies of cheap hotels.
Kleuker wants me to stay longer. I told him we’d have to discuss the money angle. Besides, the next organ will be ready to install in Beaverton, Oregon, in January or February. David thinks he has just about sold another organ and wants a positive organ (one keyboard) for the Episcopal General Convention in Seattle. I’m not too keen on staying. My air ticket will cost $100 more; I’ll have to pay road tax on the car for the past year and besides, I’d like to come home. On the other side, I have still lots to learn, and the chance to learn here is better; and I have friends here. Anyway, I’ll be home before Xmas. And I want to drive across the States.
I may be selling Kleuker’s ideas as patent licensee. Who knows?