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Estey Reed Organ (Harmonium) "The Lady Gertrude"*
Estey Reed Organ (Harmonium) "Gertrude", five octaves FF to f'‘',
3@ 8" stops (split), 1@ 4" stop. Bass and treble couplers, celeste stop,
vox humana effect, 2 forte controls, 2 knee levers and 1@ 16" stop (one
octave). Modern pitch (A = 440). Value -- $5,000.
Gertrude is a veteran of much new music including several world and Canadian
premieres. She is especially proud of her part in the CBC's "Mahler in
Miniature" series in October 2000 with Mario Bernardi and Raffi Armenian.
She excels as an organ substitute or to give that authentic flavour to
carol and hymn sings. De rigeur for the Dvorak Bagatelles. It is worth noting that she is a "real"
pump organ, no electricity is required, so can be used anywhere. It is quite possible to pump silently with a little practice, if that is what is wanted, and in the finale you can pull out all the stops and bang the pedals for a rousing percussion effect.
She is an Estey, "The Cadillac of Organs", dating back to 1885. She was
built by the Estey Organ Company in Brattleboro Vermont as a church organ,
judging by the trefoils and other ecclesiastical designs used in her case
woodwork -- the organs intended for domestic use, the "parlour" organs,
usually have floral designs. She saw service in Presbyterian and United
churches in Western Canada including British Colombia, where she was when
purchased by her present owner, New Zealand composer Amelia Nurse.
Gertrude has been re-tuned from her original A = 418 to A=440 (modern
pitch). When we brought her in for the CBC mini-Mahler festival, Maestro Mario Bernardi exclaimed, "That is the only harmonium I have ever heard that is in tune!"
Dimensions: 122 cm wide x 122 cm high and 56 to 61 cm (48" x 48" and 22"- 24") front-to-back depending on whether she's on
her dolly or off . The bench adds maybe another 30 cm (approx 12") out the front,
depending on how long the player's legs are. The music desk and the removable decorative 'ear' pieces add another 13 cm (5") or so in height.
Concert rental fee $350 – includes delivery & set-up
and removal after the performance. Additional moves would be charged at
$100.00 each. GST and Ontario PST are extra. A bench is supplied.
Long-term rental is $350 for the first month (includes pick and
delivery charges and set-up, mileage charges may apply out of the Greater
Toronto area), subsequent months are $200. GST and Ontario PST
are extra.
Studio rental $10.00/hour -- practice time in our shop is available
when Gertrude is not otherwise engaged. Ideal for players or singers preparing
for concerts, competitions, auditions or examinations. Call ahead to book
so that we can make sure she is set up and tuned and that we are not operating
the table saw while you are trying to play.
* Update: Gertrude was 'damified' by organist Christopher Dawes when he last played on her, so now we call her The Lady Gertrude -- how grand! |
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| Gertrude on the set of CBC Television's Opening
Night in October 2001. Schoenberg, this time. |
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Stops and effects:
- Bass coupler
- Sub-bass 16" (CC to B, sounds
one octave lower) -- for the lowest octave only
- Octave 4"
- Flute 4"
- Diapason 8"
- Dulciana 8"
- Waldflote 2" (currently still
at A=436)
- Forte 1
- Vox humana (affects both bass
and treble)
- Forte 2
- Dulciana 8"
- Diapason 8"
- Vox Celeste 8"
- Flute 4"
- Schalmei 8"
- Treble coupler
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