Austin Organ Co. (Opus 323, 1912)

Location:

City Hall
20 Myrtle Street
Portland, ME 04101 US
Merrill Auditorium
Organ ID: 6245

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Auditoriums and Concert Halls
  • The organ has been renovated with changes from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Austin Universal Air
  • 69 ranks. 4,939 pipes. 6 divisions. 4 manuals. 62 stops. 89 registers.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): Austin Universal Air chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. Facade pipes or case front visible.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 6
  • Stops: 62
  • Registers: 89
  • 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, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • 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 Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on September 09, 2005:

Online update from Ray Cornils -- Built in 1912 as a gift to the City of Portland by Portland native Cyrus Hermann Kotzschmar Curtis in memory of Hermann Kotzschmar. A new console was installed in 1918 and another one in 1927, when substantial additions were made to the instrument (added Antiphonal division, enlarged Orchestral division, significantly enlarged Swell division, and added many percussion instruments. In 1967 the organ was moved back 15 feet by Austin Organs when the auditorium was renovated. In 1981 the Friends of the Kotzschmar Organ became the official custodians of the instrument, acting as an agent of the city and began a massive campaign to restore the organ (done largely by David Wallace with consultation with Austin Organ Company. At that time the organ was in poor playing condition. In 1995 it was removed for storage during auditorium renovations. It was reinstalled by David Wallace in 1996-97 into a chamber which was moved an additional 15 feet back, but had the 1912 dimensions and specification of 1927. New console (2001) and Mixture (2003) by Austin Organ Co.

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

Database Manager on October 30, 2004:

Kotzschmar organ. Enlarged by Austin 1926, 4-; moved back 15 feet by Austin 1967. 6,518 pipes in 3 divisions. Removed 1995 for storage during auditorium renovations. Restored by David E. Wallace in 1997.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist copied from <i>The American Organist</i> May 1918
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Builder's Vintage Flier: Open In New Tab Specifications
We received the most recent update for this document from Jim Stettner on October 11, 2021.

Instrument Images:

Organ façade: Vintage postcard image. Taken on 1913-03-01

Auditorium interior decorated: Photograph from an archival source: Vintage postcard (enlarged), submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken approx. ca. 1913

Original console: Photograph from an archival source: Builder's promotional photo, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken approx. ca. 1913

1918 replacement console: Photograph from an archival source: Builder's promotional photo, submitted by Jim Stettner. Taken approx. ca. 1918

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