Details
Image(s)
TitleDance Orgen 'the Mortier' (bookorgan)
Creator Theophile Mortier (organbuilder)
PlaceAntwerp (Belgium)
Year ca. 1927
Object number0014
Object categorymechanical instruments with organ pipes
Object namedance organ, organ with book
DescriptionBelgian dance organ with no less than 586/564 organ pipes and 101 keys in the keyboard. The huge organ front is detachable in several parts. In terms of instrumentation and front, this organ is entirely original (or, was restored to its original state during a restoration in 1975). The colour scheme is exactly the same as when it was first delivered.
Accompanying textsThe organ is accompanied by a sizeable collection of organ books by several well-known Belgian arrangers from between the two World Wars. These are a good reflection of popular music of the time.
The stops in the organ are:
violin-piano, violin-forto, unda maris, jazz flute, vibratone, flute-harmonique, piston, baxophone, carillon, xylophone on the melody, cello, voix-celeste, baritone, trumpet, cello-grave, flute 8 on the counter melody, furthermore trombone, tremolo general and tremolo for the jazz flute. The percussion consists of: large and small drum, cymbals, woodblock, triangle, cowbells.
From 1910, the Mortier firm was the largest producer of dance organs. Having started out as a sales agent for dance organs from Gavioli, Theophile Mortier established his own factory in 1906 and became a producer of the largest high-quality dance organs. After 1930, production declined alongside a sharply reduced demand (due to the economic crisis of the 1930s, WWII, the invention of amplified music and rise of the radio). During WWII, both Theophile Mortier himself and some of his best craftsmen died. The quality of the firm's organs declined significantly after this. When competition from the Decap firm also became too great, the Mortier firm was liquidated in 1954.
The carnival was very important in the southern Netherlands in the early 20th century. When 'the Fair came', many pubs and dance halls ordered dance organs for the fair days. A mobile dance tent or spiegeltent was also often placed around the fairgrounds, containing a dance organ. Therefore, the organ can be completely dismantled and is much more easily transportable in many smaller pieces - although the large main case, weighing many hundreds of kilos, is still quite a bit to load onto a wagon! To achieve this, a large wooden roller with a diameter of almost a metre was used. The organ case was placed against the roller and then tilted onto the car with combined forces.
The stops in the organ are:
violin-piano, violin-forto, unda maris, jazz flute, vibratone, flute-harmonique, piston, baxophone, carillon, xylophone on the melody, cello, voix-celeste, baritone, trumpet, cello-grave, flute 8 on the counter melody, furthermore trombone, tremolo general and tremolo for the jazz flute. The percussion consists of: large and small drum, cymbals, woodblock, triangle, cowbells.
From 1910, the Mortier firm was the largest producer of dance organs. Having started out as a sales agent for dance organs from Gavioli, Theophile Mortier established his own factory in 1906 and became a producer of the largest high-quality dance organs. After 1930, production declined alongside a sharply reduced demand (due to the economic crisis of the 1930s, WWII, the invention of amplified music and rise of the radio). During WWII, both Theophile Mortier himself and some of his best craftsmen died. The quality of the firm's organs declined significantly after this. When competition from the Decap firm also became too great, the Mortier firm was liquidated in 1954.
The carnival was very important in the southern Netherlands in the early 20th century. When 'the Fair came', many pubs and dance halls ordered dance organs for the fair days. A mobile dance tent or spiegeltent was also often placed around the fairgrounds, containing a dance organ. Therefore, the organ can be completely dismantled and is much more easily transportable in many smaller pieces - although the large main case, weighing many hundreds of kilos, is still quite a bit to load onto a wagon! To achieve this, a large wooden roller with a diameter of almost a metre was used. The organ case was placed against the roller and then tilted onto the car with combined forces.
Dimensions
geheel height: 550 cm
geheel width: 850 cm
geheel depth: 150 cm
geheel width: 850 cm
geheel depth: 150 cm
Keywordsprogrammadrager: organ book
geluidsbron: organ pipes
geluidsbron: percussion
aandrijving: elektromotor
geluidsbron: organ pipes
geluidsbron: percussion
aandrijving: elektromotor
Digital references