{"id":89,"date":"2025-09-06T14:46:37","date_gmt":"2025-09-06T14:46:37","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/?page_id=89"},"modified":"2025-09-06T14:46:37","modified_gmt":"2025-09-06T14:46:37","slug":"the-tosdv-moller","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/index.php\/the-tosdv-moller\/","title":{"rendered":"THE TOSDV M\u00d6LLER"},"content":{"rendered":"

The Keswick M\u00f6ller Opus 5230<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

Built in 1928, this 3 manual 19 rank M\u00f6ller Deluxe located at the Keswick Theatre, 291 North Keswick Avenue in Glenside, Pennsylvania is currently undergoing upgrading by TOSDV volunteers to get it concert ready. The sound of the M\u00f6ller in this 1928 theatre is said to be magnificent! TOSDV looks forward to once again presenting this organ to the public in the future.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

History of the Keswick Theatre and its M\u00f6ller<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

The Keswick Theatre opened to the public on Thursday evening, December 27, 1928.\u00a0 The building was designed by Horace Trumbauer, one of the foremost designers of movie palaces which came into being during the decade of the roaring twenties.\u00a0 In contrast with the flamboyant French, Italian, and Spanish Renaissance palaces that dominated theatrical architecture at the time, the fa\u00e7ade of the Keswick was Elizabethan in concept, a style reminiscent of Tudor England.\u00a0 The choice of architectural style was inspired by the semi-rural character of the developing suburb; so much so that the fa\u00e7ade realized by Horace Trumbauer has survived virtually unchanged.<\/p>\n

In contrast, the interior of the theatre was designed as an eclectic mix of elegant architectural styles.\u00a0 The Aeolian-Votey pipe organ with which the auditorium was equipped was supplied by the Aeolian Organ Company of Garwood, New Jersey and featured pipe work of an orchestral character and a dazzling array of tonal percussions and traps.\u00a0 A similar example of that builder’s work exists in the instrument at Longwood Gardens, the DuPont estate.<\/p>\n

The current organ at the Keswick reflects the original.\u00a0 Constructed by the M.P. M\u00f6ller Organ Company of Hagerstown, Maryland, it also was built in 1928, and is of a size similar to the original Aeolian.\u00a0 The organ, as\u00a0 now \u00a0installed, is derived from the M\u00f6ller originally installed in the Sedgwick Theatre in the Mount Airy section of Philadelphia.\u00a0 The instrument presently consists of nineteen ranks of contrasting tonality, a Marimba, Harp Celeste, Xylophone, Tubular Chimes, Glockenspiel, as well as all of the sound effects for silent film displayed in the stop list below.\u00a0 The command center is a special white console trimmed with gold, which is associated with the Style 150 M\u00f6ller Theatre Organ.\u00a0 The console might be described as flamboyant, having evolved during the late nineteen twenties into a conspicuous display suitable for solo performances in the blaze of the spotlight.<\/p>\n

Among the ranks of pipes in the Keswick organ worthy of special mention are the thunderous sixteen-foot Diaphone (the bottom twelve notes of the Diaphonic Diapason), which together with the Horn Diapason, provide the foundation needed to support the tonal structure of the organ.\u00a0 In sharp contrast, there is the whimsical Kinura, its piquant intonations which are so suited to the requirements of silent film accompanists in depicting oriental scenes and mimicking the muted brass of the jazz orchestra.\u00a0 The Tibia Clausa and Tibia Plena (both large flutes) in addition to adding weight to the foundation registers, yield the sound qualities that are typical of the theatre organ.\u00a0 They are of great emotional appeal, and so are useful in providing background for romantic settings.\u00a0 Still another class of tone is represented by the chorus reeds:\u00a0 English Post Horn, Cornopean, and French Trumpet. They project an emotional fire essential to the depiction of high drama. The Clarinet and English Horn of the Keswick Organ are imitative of their orchestral counterparts.\u00a0 And then, there are the still softer stops:\u00a0 Vox Humana, Gemshorn, and Gemshorn Celeste. The Vox Humana, conceived to convey the impression of the human voice, which has been jokingly described as having a goat-like bleat, nevertheless has an emotional appeal that endears it to audiences of many descriptions.<\/p>\n

The two Gemshorn ranks in the Keswick Organ are especially worthy of mention.\u00a0 They are of a delicacy worthy of the finest concert organ and are rarely to be found in theatre instruments.\u00a0 Finally, the three string-toned ranks of pipes in the Keswick Organ cap the orchestral capabilities essential to the rendition of theatre music.<\/p>\n

It would be remiss not to mention the dedication of the Keswick Theatre Organ Crew, among whom there exist a variety of skills.\u00a0 Countless hours and physical effort have been lavished on restoration of damaged parts which have suffered deterioration during years of exposure and neglect, on replacement of missing pipes, on correction of inappropriate previous substitutions of ranks and on adaptations essential to the functioning of the organ,<\/p>\n

In passing, it should also not fail to be mentioned that some of the foregoing activities have resulted not only in restoring the complex electrical controls which are the brain of the Keswick Organ, but in development of an associated memory.\u00a0 At last, an artist can record any performance electronically and have it played back at will.\u00a0 Truly a benefit to accompany an ongoing labor of love.<\/p>\n

Work continues to restore this organ to concert readiness, and TOSDV looks forward to again presenting it to the public.<\/p>\n

___________________________________________________________________________________<\/p>\n

The Magnificent M\u00f6ller 3\/19 Theatre Pipe Organ Opus 5230<\/strong><\/span><\/h3>\n

Main Chamber (Left)<\/strong>\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Solo Chamber (Right)<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

French Trumpet 8`\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Post Horn 8`<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tuba Harmonic 16`\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 English Horn 8`<\/strong><\/p>\n

Clarinet 8`\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Kinura 8`<\/strong><\/p>\n

French Horn 8`\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Vox Humana 8`<\/strong><\/p>\n

Horn Diapason 8`\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 Viole D` Orchestre 8`<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gemshorn 8`\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Viole D` Orchestre Celeste II 8`<\/strong><\/p>\n

Gemshorn Celeste 8`\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Diaphone 16`<\/strong><\/p>\n

Viole 16`\u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0 \u00a0Tibia Clausa 16<\/strong><\/p>\n

Tibia Plena 16`\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 `<\/strong><\/p>\n

Concert Flute 16`\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Tuned Percussions<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Harp Celesta\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cathedral Chimes\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Glockenspiel\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Xylophone<\/strong>
\nUpright Piano (unenclosed)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Toy Counter<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Tambourine\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Castanets\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bass Drum\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Snare Drum<\/strong>
\nKettle Drum\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Cymbal\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0Triangle\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 \u00a0 Chinese Gong<\/strong><\/p>\n


\nSound Effects (Main Chamber Only)<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

Police Siren\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Auto Horn\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Boat Whistle\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Bird Call<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

The Keswick M\u00f6ller Opus 5230 Built in 1928, this 3 manual 19 rank M\u00f6ller Deluxe located at the Keswick Theatre, 291 North Keswick Avenue in Glenside, Pennsylvania is currently undergoing upgrading by TOSDV volunteers to get it concert ready. The sound of the M\u00f6ller in this 1928 theatre is said to be magnificent! TOSDV looks […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-89","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/89","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=89"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/89\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":93,"href":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/89\/revisions\/93"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tosdv.org\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=89"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}