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June 21, 2001
Vol. I, No. 7
"The Pipe Counters"
In my web travels I happened upon the website of the International Organ Foundation (IOF). The IOF is "a non-profit, privately-financed foundation dedicated to the conservation and preservation of the pipe organ in all its forms." It was founded in 1990 by Mr. Peter Rodwell and is based near Madrid, Spain.
International Organ Foundation home page
http://www.aq.upm.es/organ/iof.htm
The primary goal of the IOF is to catalog every pipe organ in the world. It has many other ambitious plans as well and you can read about them on their website. I particularly enjoyed their articles:
The stone organ in Novelda, Spain
http://www.aq.upm.es/organ/iof9.htm
Building a MIDI pedalboard
http://www.aq.upm.es/organ/iof10.htm
Pipes v Electronics: The Debate
http://www.aq.upm.es/organ/iof12.htm
Tribute to James Dale
A few weeks ago I received an email from Susan Burkhalter suggesting a tribute to James Dale, former organist at the Naval Academy Chapel in Annapolis, Maryland. She wrote "James Dale died (in his 40's) back in the '90s sometime. He was an exciting performer and often played the music of Bach. He had a CD and I heard him in concert several times."
I proceeded to search the web for leads, hoping to locate someone who knew James Dale and could offer a proper tribute. After emailing former students of Mr. Dale, pipe organ companies who had worked with him, the U.S. Naval Academy, the Washington, D.C. chapter of the AGO, and others, I received an email from Dr. John Barry Talley, Director of Musical Activities at the U.S. Naval Academy.
U.S. Naval Academy Music Department
http://www.usna.edu/Music/
Dr. Talley has graciously offered the text of the obituary he wrote for Mr. Dale in 1996:
Tribute to James Dale
http://www.bachorgan.com/Teachers/Teachers.asp
Mr. Dale's CDs are available at the website below:
Independent Musicians Marketplace
http://www.secondfret.com/dale.htm
"James Dale, organist of the Naval Academy prior to his death, was widely acknowledged as one of the country's foremost recitalists. '...splendidly rhythmic...mastery of registrations and style...deep insight into the treasures of Bach...a consummate artist.' Dale's CD's bring the true majesty of the organ to life."
One of Mr. Dale's CDs was recorded on the 8th largest pipe organ in the world:
The World's Largest Pipe Organs
http://www.theatreorgans.com/laird/top.pipe.organs.html
Final Note
As a follow up to my rampage of two weeks ago, I'll give the final word to Mr. John Brombaugh:
"Olivier Latry, the titular organist for Notre Dame Cathedral, Paris, just played a set of inaugural recitals on our new organ here at First Presbyterian Church, Springfield, IL. He fell in love with the organ, played brilliantly and had the entire audience under a spell both evenings."
We'll be hearing more about this organ in the near future. Have a great week!
Dan Long
Editor, BACHorgan.com
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