Schantz Organ - Second Presbyterian Church

Schantz Organ
Second Presbyterian Church
St. Louis, Missouri
MARY BROOKS became a member of Second Presbyterian
Church in 1905. She likely knew the John Andrew
Holmes family who were very involved with the church.
John A. Holmes was president of the Board of Trustees of
the church for three decades. She married his son, John
Howard Holmes, at Second Presbyterian. The elder
Holmes made a fortune in the lumber business. He built
9 Portland Place in the Central West End. Two years after
the senior Holmes passed away in 1915, the family
commissioned the “Suffer Little Children” Tiffany window
in the west transept. Mary Brooks Holmes later donated
electric lights that are still in use to backlight the three
windows in that location. Her husband successfully ran the
Holmes Lumber Company and was involved with Firmin
Desloge in mining lead in Missouri.
Following John Howard Holmes death, Mary created the
Mary Brooks Holmes Charitable Foundation which funded
several projects including the full purchase of the Schantz
organ. The conversion of the Ridgeway Library reading
room on the Washington University campus to the Holmes
Lounge was made possible by her generosity. She also made
significant contributions to Barnes Hospital.
F
ifty years have passed since Schantz organ #699 was installed in Second Presbyterian Church – Saint Louis.
During the intervening decades, much has happened in the course of American organbuilding. The halcyon days
of the post-war church building boom in the United States provided an unprecedented opportunity for organ
builders to ply their craft.
It was in the midst of those fertile days when then-Director of Music, Charles Huddleston Heaton, commissioned Schantz
Organ Company to craft the four-manual (keyboard) and pedal, fifty-nine rank pipe organ for Second Presbyterian Church.
Located in the gallery of the church, the organ enjoys an ideal placement for projection of sound into the nave. Like many
examples of its time, the organ features functionally exposed pipework. Portions of the Great, Pedal, and Rückpositiv divisions
are visible as one looks toward the gallery.
While clearly designed and crafted especially for this place, it is interesting to note the similarities of tonal design between this
instrument and that of Christ Church Cathedral (Episcopal) also in Saint Louis. Built by the vaunted Aeolian-Skinner Organ
Company of Boston, the Christ Church instrument predates the organ of Second Presbyterian by a mere three months.
During the intervening years, the organ of Second Presbyterian Church has been updated on several occasions. In 1986,
portions of the organ console’s controls were rebuilt, and the original 8’ English Horn of the Choir organ was replaced by the
8’ Trompette Harmonique. Saint Louis-based organbuilder Martin Ott added twelve pipes to the organ’s 16’ Pedal Posaune –
extending that stop into the 32’ register with half-length pipes.
Beginning in 2012, the church embarked on a renewal project which coincided with the remodeling/re-painting of the church
sanctuary. The initial project saw the instrument’s pipework returned to the Orrville, Ohio workshop for refurbishment and
regulation, while the mechanism was protected during the church renovation. Careful regulation and selective re-voicing allowed the existing pipework to ‘blossom’ to its full potential. Without negating or refuting its original tonal design, the organ
now speaks with authority, conviction, and fully realizes the pipework’s potential. As part of this project, an 8’ Oboe was installed in the Choir Organ – replacing the original 4’ Rohrschalmei (whose pipes were crated and saved in the organ).
Earlier this year, the second portion of the renewal project was undertaken. In this project, all of the organ’s internal chest
mechanisms were returned to Ohio for ‘re-leathering.’ The Schantz system for internal windchest components allows these
mechanisms to be removed for renewal, without disassembling the entire instrument. Concurrently, the reservoirs or ‘bellows’
of the organ were also returned for refurbishment. Taking advantage of the time in which the organ would be out of service,
the console (keydesk) was also returned for a complete refurbishment and control system upgrade.
An important addition was made to the organ during this portion of the project. Curiously missing from the 1965 tonal scheme
was an undulating or ‘Celeste’ rank for the 8’ Viola da Gamba of the Swell Organ. This staple of organbuilding – dating back to
the 18th century – was strangely missing. Attempts in the intervening years tuned the 8’ Gamba ‘sharp’ of the 8’ Geigen Principal – thereby creating the ‘celeste’ effect, however also eliminating the very useful string tonality at ‘unison’ pitch. The 8’ Viola
Celeste (GG) and its new windchest make an important – and long-overdue – addition to the organ.
Much has been developed in the way of pipe organ control systems, console components, and organ relays since the original
installation in 1965. What was electro-mechanical switches and pneumatically operated systems originally, is now softwarecontrolled, solid-state equipment which provides the organist with far greater resources in terms of combination action storage,
playing aids, and even the ability for record/playback (think player piano – rather than cassette tape!).
Many persons have contributed to the success of these most recent projects – not the least of whom is Andrew Peters, Pastoral
Musician. Andy’s diligence and dedication to this effort are most laudable, and he is a worthy steward in a line of distinguished
musicians since the 1965 installation. Paul Lohman, Area Representative with Schantz Organ Company, completed negotiations
and details of these projects. The Schantz organ of Second Presbyterian Church now finds
itself completely refurbished, and poised to fulfill its second half-century of faithful service
in the life of the church. The men and women who are the Schantz Organ Company join
in extending their very best wishes to all at Second Presbyterian Church – and look forward
to the many ways in which this instrument will lead, encourage, comfort, and cajole
in the generations ahead.
JEFFREY D. DEXTER, Vice President
Tonal Director
From the Organist
I had the honor and privilege of advising the leaders and congregation of Second
Presbyterian Church on the care and stewardship of its aging 1965 Schantz organ.
Having the original organ company still in existence gave us an opportunity to
preserve this landmark instrument and drive it into the future. The congregation
affirmed the importance of having the organ restoration completed expertly.
While some churches debate the use and future of the organ in worship, Second
Presbyterian boldly affirmed the central role of the organ in worship and the life
of the church.
The congregation showed excellent stewardship through the restoration of a fifty year
old investment from the past with generous financial support and enthusiasm. The
combination of the congregation’s concern for its instrument and the care, knowledge,
and expertise of the Schantz Organ Company resulted in a restoration which has given
this instrument a new voice and renewed life in the worship and cultural outreach of
Second Presbyterian Church.
Andrew Peters
SPECIFICATIONS
FOUR MANUAL ~ 60 ranks
1965 – 2012 – 2015
GREATORGAN
1.
16’
2.
8’
3.
8’
4.
4’
5.
4’
6.
2’
7.
2’
8.
2/3’
9.
8’
10.
11.
Pommer
Principal
Hohlflöte
Octave
Spitzflöte
Fifteenth
Fourniture IV
Scharf III
10” Wind Pressure
Trompette en chamade
DEAGAN – LOCATED IN CHOIR
Chimes
Cymbelstern
SWELLORGAN
12.
8’
13.
8’
14.
8’
15.
8’
16.
4’
17.
4’
18.
2’
19.
1-1/3’
20.
16’
21.
8’
22.
4’
23.
Geigen Principal
Chimney Flute
Viola da Gamba
Viola Celeste (GG)
Geigen Octave
Zauberflöte
Gemshorn
Plein Jeu IV
Contre Bombarde
Trompette
Clarion
Tremolo
CHOIRORGAN
24.
16’
25.
8’
26.
8’
27.
8’
28.
4’
29.
2-2/3’
30.
2’
31.
1-3/5’
32.
16’
33.
8’
34.
8’
35.
36.
8’
Quintade
Bourdon
Klein Erzähler
Erzähler Celeste (TC)
Nachthorn
Nasard
EXISTING SWELL
Waldflöte
Tierce
Basson
Trompette Harmonique 1986 on English Horn sill
Oboe
2012 on Rohrschalmei sill
Tremolo
[GREAT]
Trompette en Chamade
MANUAL II
MANUAL III
MANUAL I
[Exposed]
[Enclosed and Expressive]
3-1/2” Wind Pressure
3-1/2” Wind Pressure
EXISTING CHOIR
1966
[Enclosed and Expressive]
RÜCKPOSITIVORGANMANUAL IV [Exposed on Gallery Rail]
37.
8’
Holzgedackt
38.
4’
Prestant
39.
4’
Koppelflöte
40.
2’
Octave
41.
1-1/3’ Quinte
42.
1’
Sifflöte
43.
1/3’
Zimbel III
44.
8’
Krummhorn
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
244 pipes
183 pipes
61 pipes
25 notes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
54 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
244 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
4” Wind Pressure
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
49 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
2-1/2” Wind Pressure
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
61 pipes
183 pipes
61 pipes
SPECIFICATIONS
PEDALORGAN
45.
46.
47.
48.
49.
50.
51.
52.
53.
54.
55.
32’
16’
16’
16’
16’
†8’
†8’
†4’
2’
2-2/3’
32’
[Exposed]
Resultant
Principal
Subbass
Pommer
Quintade
Octave
Gedackt
Choralbass
Italian Principal
Mixture III
Contre Posaune
3-1/2” Wind Pressure
†4” Wind Pressure
[GREAT]
[CHOIR]
1970
1980s - L/2
OTT ORGELBAU
56.
57.
58.
59.
60.
61.
16’
16’
†8’
4’
8’
Posaune
Basson
[CHOIR]
Trompette
Clairon
Trompette en Chamade
Chimes
[CHOIR]
[GREAT]
32 notes
32 pipes
32 pipes
#1
# 24
32 pipes
32 pipes
32 pipes
32 pipes
96 pipes
12 pipes
# 56
32 pipes
# 32
44 pipes
# 58
#9
# 10
CONSOLEDETAILS
EXPRESSION PEDALS
Swell Expression Pedal
Choir Expression Pedal
Crescendo Pedal
Great
Swell
Choir
Rückpositiv
16
16
16
16
4
4
4
4
Unison off
Unison off
Unison off
Unison off
Swell to Great
Choir to Great
Rückpositiv to Great
16
16
8
8
8
4
4
Swell to Choir
16
Rückpositiv to Choir
Great to Choir
Rückpositiv to Swell
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Choir to Pedal
Rückpositiv to Pedal
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
8
4
4
4
4
Photography by Don Cochran
SPECIFICATIONS
MISCELLANEOUS
Existing drawknob console Adjustable Bench [Westwood]
Ebonized drawknobs, white pistons, etc.
Existing Ivory/Ebony Keyboards
Programmable Full Organ/Crescendo
Transposer [+/- 6 semi-tones]
Record/Playback
Performance Sequencer
‘Next’
[any divisional]
‘Previous’
[thumb and toe]
MIDI System [w/jacks]
MIDI on Great
T/T
MIDI on Swell
T/T
MIDI on Choir
T/T
MIDI on Rückpositiv T/T
MIDI on Pedal
T/T
REVERSIBLE PISTONS
Swell to Great
Choir to Great
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Choir to Pedal
Rückpositiv to Pedal
Sforzando
Cymbelstern
32’ Resultant
32’Contre Posaune
[thumb]
[thumb]
[thumb and toe]
[thumb and toe]
[thumb and toe]
[thumb and toe]
[thumb and toe]
[thumb and toe]
[toe]
[toe]
COMBINATION SYSTEM
Peterson ICS [255 levels of memory]
GREAT
[thumb]
SWELL
[thumb]
CHOIR
[thumb]
RÜCKPOSITIV
[thumb]
PEDAL
[toe]
General Pistons
[thumb/toe]
Cancel
[thumb]
Set
[thumb]
ACCESSORIES
Lights for:
Music Rack
Pedal Keyboard
Indicator Lights:
Crescendo
Sforzando
Transposer
Wind
8
8
8
5
8
12
SECOND PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH
of St. Louis
4501 Westminster Place
St. Louis, MO 63108
314-367-0366
www.secondchurch.net