Same organ, the long version of "Wedding of the Winds," clocking in at over 8 minutes (and this is on a 10 tune roll!)

playing "Alte Kamerade"

Carrousel Music's W165, "Cecile Waltz" http://wurlitzer-rolls.com/6505-6.mp3 Really shows off the registers, and a great build up to the end.

"Brand New Day", arranged by Hiddo Van Os, played on the 110-key "Southsea Gavioli". I think this is a superb tune played on a superb organ! http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=iJjKBii5r6Y Now I know what is meant by the 110-key being the pinnacle of Mr. Gavioli's achievements: the different registers make delightful and marked contrast to each other, but all blend smoothly into a powerful, incredibly fine ensemble. Also, the organ sounds like it's in perfect tune... and all the many reed pipes etc. have been well looked after, since I heard no squeaks and squauks as one might hear on most organs with large amounts of reed pipes. The registers seem to operate promptly, as well. I thought it was exciting to hear a concertorgan like "Victory", which is designed for it, play modern music, but it is even more exciting to hear a vintage organ such as this do it, especially when the music is arranged with such aplomb! :D

What organ music are you listening to right now?
Now I know what is meant by the 110-key being the pinnacle of Mr. Gavioli's achievements: the different registers make delightful and marked contrast to each other, but all blend smoothly into a powerful, incredibly fine ensemble. Also, the organ sounds like it's in perfect tune... and all the many reed pipes etc. have been well looked after, since I heard no squeaks and squauks as one might hear on most organs with large amounts of reed pipes. The registers seem to operate promptly, as well. Hello Andrew, I am so pleased by your very positive comments regarding the 'Southsea' Gavioli. I too am a big fan of this organ, it is just so versatile and to me has a very captivating sound full of excitement. There is however another person who should be mentioned for the tremendous performance given by the organ on this video and that is David Burville the exceptionally talented organ builder who gave the organ a thorough going over and full tune up the week before this video was made, which made it sound as stunning as the day it left Johnny Verbeeck's works. David, his father Roger and their good friend and fellow iMOD'er Matt Lawrence present this organ at the Great Dorset Steam Fair each year and always take great care of it resulting in many compliments being received throughout the show and the following events which this organ attends. There is another piece of video on Youtube of the organ playing a stunning arrangement of 'Happy Days' by the terrific Dutch arranger Jan Kees De Ruijter. Best wishes, Trevor.

Hello everyone, Yes what a lovely tune. Nice arrangement too. We heard this at Haddenham & none of us know where the tune comes from. It sounds a bit Lloyd Webber-ish to me. The instrument itself has been drastically altered from it's original format by J Verbeeck a few years ago, so I don't think the scale is original. There have been some more detailed 'discussions' about this elsewhere on the forum. Rob.

The organ in question, "Royal Irish." Now that's what I call band organ music!!! Turn up the volume! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TrBeBehBLOE

Royal Irish is certainly a tune for the larger organs! This tune was arranged by Nick Dean, glad you like it John. another person who should be mentioned for the tremendous performance given by the organ on this video and that is David Burville I can think of three other people who should of been mentioned for the tremendous performance given by the organ on this video :|

Hiddo Van Os's NEW '3rd October Jumpstyle Medley' What a medley! played on Buddings 'De Pekinees' the second organ is this video. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=043ol2EAbp4 Or hear the full version on 'De Drie Accordians' http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=rvkjEQ9oUXU

W146, "King Cotton" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JRR2qs9MnwQ

Here's a railfan's dream, pacing N&W 611 as she clicks off the miles! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v6lWBp2APrQ

The Kit Carson County carousel's Wurlitzer Monster playing "The Stars and Stripes Forever" arr. by Art Reblitz: http://www.kitcarsoncountycarousel.com/07.mp3 http://www.kitcarsoncountycarousel.com/about.html 100-key music at it's finest!

This has been the source of a great many discussions here for as long as these instruments have been collected. Only recently are we finding out who were some of the arrangers for Wurlitzer, and their background. The ones that we know of were proficient performing musicians. It has been suggested that several factors came into play, not the least of which we have heard that "it was what the customer wanted". Now the arranging style is noticible different than the output of the NTMIW, and later Artizan. Now keep in mind that the arrangers were contract employees who did work for both firms! That would lead one to believe that it was a mangement decision as how the rolls were to be arranged. It appears also that they were paid by the linear foot. Now as far as Wurlitzer and the "over" use of percussion, it may seem that way because of their snare drum action. For doing rolls and perididles the reitterating action of Wurlitzer can't be beat. But it can't do a single shot. It'll do a short "blip" but it's not capable of doing a single hit like a two key snare drum action.

I've seen some pictures of that Wurlitzer percussion action, and it might indeed be responsible for the lack of 'nuance' in percussion. I was susprised to read in a recent article (COAA magazine, I think) about the musical background of some of the American arrangers: those people really must have been able to do a lot better, so your suggestion that it was a management decision surely makes sense. I do wonder if European organ enthusiasts would have a different idea about those 'lazy American noise machines' (I'm citing a fellow enthusiast I met last year!) if only the arrangements would have been better ... One can only wonder what e.g. Gustav Bruder would have got out of such an instrument that in itself is a fine musical instrument.