Austin Organ Co. (Opus 1073, 1923)

Location:

University of Colorado
Boulder, CO US
Macky Auditorium
Organ ID: 13801

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Colleges and Universities
  • The organ has been altered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Jeff Scofield on February 11, 2021.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Austin Universal Air
  • 90 ranks. 6 divisions. 4 manuals. 79 stops. 102 registers.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Austin Universal Air chests
  • Position: In side chambers at the front of the room. No visible pipes.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 6
  • Stops: 79
  • Registers: 102
  • Position: Movable console.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Stop keys above top manual.
  • Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard.
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Jeff Scofield on October 14, 2022.
Database Manager on March 05, 2012:

Updated through online information from Ron Yeater. -- The organ was tonally altered slightly in 1958 when the new console was installed. I recall that the 8' Tibia Minor on the Great was changed to 2' (!) Also, the Echo division was disconnected from the console. However the Echo also played as a practice organ from its own 2 manual duplex console. It was later (70s?) removed from beneath the balcony, completely rebuilt tonally and mechanically, and installed in a classroom in Macky by Morel. The large organ received considerable tonal alteration at this same time, especially in the Great division.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Database Manager on June 09, 2010:

Updated through online information from Daniel Schwandt. -- The original console for Austin op. 1073 was purchased by Luther Memorial Church in Chicago, Illinois to replace their original 1926 Pilcher (op. 1319) console. According to church records, it was purchased from Scott Christiansen of Colorado Springs in 1982 for $200 and installed at Luther Memorial by James Gruber of Chicago.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Database Manager on March 29, 2009:

Updated through online information from Larry Kerecman. -- This organ was dedicated on May 19, 1923. Despite rumors to the contrary, the organ is playable and in remarkably good condition given the current lack of use and maintenance other than tuning once a year. The organ was altered several times in the past. The "new" (1958) console now controls the organ through a Solid State Systems relay.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Database Manager on January 08, 2005:

Information identifying this instrument from the Austin Organs, Inc. web site, accessed December 31, 2004: http://www.austinorgans.com/organ-research.htm.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab copied from 1922 console, 1961 while I was a student at CU.
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

From THE DIAPASON April 1922: Open In New Tab
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Jeff Scofield on October 11, 2022.
Write-up from THE DIAPASON April 1922: Open In New Tab Description and write-up
We received the most recent update for this document from Jeff Scofield on October 14, 2022.

Instrument Images:

Console: Photograph by Benjamin Clark. Taken on 2016-01-29

Updated 1958 console: Photograph by Martin Doering via https://die-orgelseite.de, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2015-06-11

Auditorium interior to rear: Photograph by Martin Doering via https://die-orgelseite.de, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2015-06-11

Auditorium exterior: Photograph by Martin Doering via https://die-orgelseite.de, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2015-06-11

Auditorium interior and organ chamber grille: Photograph by travelboulder.com, submitted by Jeff Scofield.