Details
Image(s)
TitleStreet Organ, 'the Dubble Biphone'
Creator Carl sr. Frei (organbuilder)
PlaceBreda (The Netherlands), Breda (The Netherlands)
Year 1920 1934
Object number0243
Object categorymechanical instruments with organ pipes
Object namestreet organ, street organ, organ with book
DescriptionCarl Frei was an organ builder, voicer of organ pipes and arranger of organ music. This combination led him to build a type of organ in which he recognised and responded to interesting musical challenges. This type also turned out to be very popular with the public, so that even in the 30s when financial difficulties were rife, a number of top instruments were built.
Accompanying textsThe registers in this organ are well matched and, also thanks to good quality arrangements, the instrument is a pleasure for many to listen to. Many of these registers are therefore inventions of Frei, such as the 'Biphone'. Because this organ has a biphone on both the melody and countermelody, it was called the Double Biphone.
In the 1930s, city streets were noisy, to say the least. Handcarts and wagons pulled by horses could produce a lot of noise. The organ man, who in those days traversed all the streets of a residential area, often collecting money that was thrown down from windows, naturally had to announce himself so that the money could already be laid out ready to go. This is why Frei's organs have a substantial volume. This particular organ was built in 1920 by Koeningsberg (Antwerp) and served as a dance organ for several years. Commissioned by Amsterdam organ proprietor Henk Möhlmann, the organ was rebuilt into a 90-key street organ by Carl Frei Sr. His son also worked for him at the firm during these years. When it was delivered in 1934, it went directly (and without a front) to England for recordings to produce a series of gramophone records. On its return, it was rented out and played in Amsterdam until war broke out and the Germans banned it from being played in the streets. Following further diversions, it was eventually sold to the museum in 1967, with much of the original repertoire.
In the 1930s, city streets were noisy, to say the least. Handcarts and wagons pulled by horses could produce a lot of noise. The organ man, who in those days traversed all the streets of a residential area, often collecting money that was thrown down from windows, naturally had to announce himself so that the money could already be laid out ready to go. This is why Frei's organs have a substantial volume. This particular organ was built in 1920 by Koeningsberg (Antwerp) and served as a dance organ for several years. Commissioned by Amsterdam organ proprietor Henk Möhlmann, the organ was rebuilt into a 90-key street organ by Carl Frei Sr. His son also worked for him at the firm during these years. When it was delivered in 1934, it went directly (and without a front) to England for recordings to produce a series of gramophone records. On its return, it was rented out and played in Amsterdam until war broke out and the Germans banned it from being played in the streets. Following further diversions, it was eventually sold to the museum in 1967, with much of the original repertoire.
Dimensions
geheel, excl. kar height: 275 cm
geheel, excl. kar width: 360 cm
geheel, excl. kar depth: 105 cm
met kar height: 315 cm
met kar width: 400 cm
met kar depth: 165 cm
geheel, excl. kar width: 360 cm
geheel, excl. kar depth: 105 cm
met kar height: 315 cm
met kar width: 400 cm
met kar depth: 165 cm
Digital references