Details
Image(s)
TitleFairground Organ
CreatorWilhelm Bruder Söhne (manufacturer)
PlaceWaldkirch (Germany)
Year ca. 1915
Object number0246
Object categorymechanical instruments with organ pipes
Object namefair organ, organ with book
DescriptionGerman-made fairground organs had a specific, different reading system for organ books than organs from the rest of Europe. The books were not read by keys, but by air pressure. The advantage was that there was less wear and tear. The organ has 62 reading holes and bears the model number 81.
Accompanying textsThe sound structure of German fairground organs also differs from those of French manufacture. They are based more on the baroque church organ, while French organs have a more orchestral feel. Moreover, fairground organs have less of a need to play popular 'up to date' music: after all, the music was intended as an accompaniment to fairground rides rather than as the main event. Fairground organ repertoire characteristically included marching music, waltzes, and opera/operetta selections, although, of course, the occasional new popular hit did come along. This organ still has a lot of original repertoire.
Fairground organs were used to draw attention to a particular attraction through their music. Because a fairground is often very noisy - especially so in the days of classic attractions without today's technology - fairground organs had to be able to produce a large volume to rise above the fairground noise. And, because they thus acted mainly as background, there was less need to provide the repertoire with popular updates. The original repertoire of fairground organs is therefore better preserved than that of dance organs, whose repertoire was regularly modernised. This organ was supplied by Wilhelm Bruder Söhne, family of Ignaz Bruder (who made portable barrel organs) and the Gebüder Bruder, who all had their own factories in Waldkirch. It was used by Anna Vokaskova from Prague, who used this organ to have music provided at her fairground rides. When Gijs Perlee was in Prague in the 1970s, he turned out to be able to buy Anna's 3 organs. In those days of the communist regime, it was a complicated matter to get the organs out of the country.
Fairground organs were used to draw attention to a particular attraction through their music. Because a fairground is often very noisy - especially so in the days of classic attractions without today's technology - fairground organs had to be able to produce a large volume to rise above the fairground noise. And, because they thus acted mainly as background, there was less need to provide the repertoire with popular updates. The original repertoire of fairground organs is therefore better preserved than that of dance organs, whose repertoire was regularly modernised. This organ was supplied by Wilhelm Bruder Söhne, family of Ignaz Bruder (who made portable barrel organs) and the Gebüder Bruder, who all had their own factories in Waldkirch. It was used by Anna Vokaskova from Prague, who used this organ to have music provided at her fairground rides. When Gijs Perlee was in Prague in the 1970s, he turned out to be able to buy Anna's 3 organs. In those days of the communist regime, it was a complicated matter to get the organs out of the country.
Dimensions
geheel height: 290 cm
geheel width: 340 cm
geheel depth: 160 cm
geheel width: 340 cm
geheel depth: 160 cm
Keywordsprogrammadrager: organ book
geluidsbron: organ pipes
geluidsbron: percussion
aandrijving: elektromotor
geluidsbron: organ pipes
geluidsbron: percussion
aandrijving: elektromotor
Digital references