Comments on the Brombaugh organ

An unsolicited e-mail received August 15, 2005, from an organist who has played dedication recitals for Flentrop and Fisk tracker instruments and was a consultant for a Brombaugh organ at St. Mark's Church in Storrs, Connecticut. "Dear Betty Jean, Just a word of thanks to you for facilitating access to the extremely beautiful organ in the Church of the Resurrection. how fortunate you are to play such a fine organ. The acoustics of the church could not be better for the organ, for singing and for the spoken word. Each stop on the organ is a gem, reflecting the impeccable artistry of John. And the ensemble is majestic for what is a relatively modest instrument. The organ is well and flexible winded. The action is light and response. And the Kellner tuning is ideal...of such instruments, we are their curators, for they will outlive us by centuries..." ==================================================================== From Roger Sherman, Associate Organist, St. Mark's Cathedral, Seattle, WA, President of Loft Recordings, host of The Organ Loft (a radio program of organ music), recitalist, and composer, after his recital at Church of the Resurrection, December 11, 2005. Church of the Resurrection is fortunate to have one of the last instruments by America’s great organ builder, John Brombaugh. Because John lives in Eugene, it may be difficult to gauge his importance elsewhere. In the United States he established an entire school of organ building, spawning many organ-building shops with highly skilled craftsman and an unwavering view that the old organs of northern Europe are a standard of musical excellence. John’s work has also been widely recognized in Europe. He was the first American organ builder in the 20th century invited to build an instrument for a European church (Haga Church, Gothenburg, Sweden)... Although the organ is small by many standards, it features a thrilling eight-foot Principal chorus on the main keyboard, with the eight-foot Principal itself on the front of the case. A true luxury in an instrument this size is the Trompet stop, playable on the Great, and in the pedal. The second keyboard controls the division known as the Brustwerk, whose pipes are located behind carved cupboard doors, just above the head of the organist. This division’s light and delicate keyboard touch controls a series of flute stops which have a delightfully charming presence throughout the room. The pedal division of the organ includes a 16-foot stop for accompanying congregational singing. As a whole, the organ provides the resources to play centuries’ worth of important musical literature, most of it written for the liturgy of the church. The appearance and sound of this marvelous organ aesthetically balances the distinctive architecture of Church of the Resurrection. Together, the two give powerful expression to the ministry of the church, and a belief that all things beautiful reveal the true nature of a loving God.