Audio sample provided by Alexander Smith, D. C. Schroth Organ Builders.
Photos by David Schroth and Brian Nichols
We now have available a 1932 Wicks (Re-installed in 1962), including pipework, chests, blower, etc. The organ is currently playable but will be removed in January, after which the console and chestwork will be discarded. Wicks pipework from this period is exceptional, and though the current installation was not entirely successful, we believe a beautiful instrument could be crafted with these voices (including perhaps a few additions).
The current tonal resources which are available (Current and sample stoplists attached):
16′ Principal (Metal) – 56 Notes
16′ Subbass – 44 Notes
16′ Leiblich Gedeckt – 85 Notes
8′ Principal – 61 Notes
8′ Violin Diapason – 61 Notes
8′ Geigen Principal – 61 Notes
8′ Gemshorn – 61 Notes
8′ Bourdun – 61 Notes
8′ Nason Flute – 61 Notes
8′ Salicional – 61 Notes
8′ Celeste – 49 Notes
8′ Dulciana – 85 Notes
8′ Unda Maris – 49 Notes
4′ Octave – 61 Notes
4′ Koppelflute – 61 Notes
4′ Harmonic Flute – 73 Notes
2 2/3′ Twelfth – 61 Notes
2′ Fifteenth – 61 Notes
8′ Fagotta – 61 Notes
4′ Oboe – 61 Notes
4′ Krummhorn – 61 Notes
1922-1962 Wicks – Current Stoplist – D. C. Schroth Organ Builders
1922-1962 Wicks – Sample Two-Manual Stoplist – D. C. Schroth Organ Builders
1922-1962 Wicks – Three-Manual Stoplist – D. C. Schroth Organ Builders
Photo Credit: Patrick Ryan
The 1898 instrument from August Prante was his very last completed instrument before he died tragically in a buggy accident in downtown Louisville. There are only two completely intact instruments from this local firm, though there are several examples of their instruments that were expanded upon. They were a notch above the average as far as the Victorian American instruments were concerned, and this example was boldly voiced.
Though sadly the mechanical components of this landmark tracker organ have not survived, we still have nearly all the pipework, and these broad and sweet Victorian American voices would make a wonderful basis for a beautiful instrument in a mid-sized building. The surviving pipework is as follows:
16′ Double Open, 27 pipes
16′ Bourdon, 27 pipes
8′ Open Diapason, f18-a58
8′ Violoncello, 27 pipes
8′ Violin Diapason, 58 pipes (bottom octave stopped)
8′ Melodia, 58 notes
8′ Stopped Diapason, 58 notes
8′ Gamba, c13-a58
8′ Dulciana, d15-a58
8′ Aeolina, c13-a58
8′ Trumpet, 58 notes
8′ Bassoon/Oboe, 58 notes
4′ Principal, 58 notes
4′ Violina, 58 notes
4′ Flauto Traverso, 58 notes
4′ Flute d’Amour, 58 notes
2′ Octave, 58 notes
2′ Piccolo, 58 Notes
We have put together two sample stoplists below as an example of what could be made out of such a collection. We’d love to find a client who would like to have this pipework as part of a commitment for a complete organ. To that client, the pipework would go free. We’d be willing to negotiate the sale of the pipework if no such commitment were made.
We have taken possession of the pipework from a three manual Kilgen–Opus 7504 from 1926, and would love to find these pipes another home. This organ, with it’s full diapasons, lovely strings, and beautiful wood flutes, would make a wonderful basis for an organ in a mid-sized congregation. The original chests were damaged and have not been retained. The pipework lists as follows:
16′ Major Bass
16′ Bourdon
8′ Open Diapason
8′ Violin Diapason
8′ Gemshorn
8′ Melodia
8′ Stopped Diapason
8′ Fern Flute
8′ Gamba
8′ Dulciana
8′ Unda Maris
8′ Salicional
8′ Celeste
8′ Trumpet
4′ Octave
4′ Geigen Octave
4′ Zart Flute
4′ Harmonic Flute
2′ 2/3′ Nazard
2′ Superoctave
2′ Piccolo
Here are two sample stoplists to help give an idea of what could be made from all this:
Three Manual – Kilgen Opus 7504
Two Manual – Kilgen Opus 7504
The pipes could go “free” to a client who initiates a contract for installation from D. C. Schroth Organ Builders. Parties seriously interested can reach out via our contact page.
We would be happy to negotiate the sale of the pipes directly (no installation). Simply reach out via our contact page.
