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| Jonathan Ortloff (Courtesy photo) |
Jonathan Ortloff, nationally renowned organist, organ builder, and recording artist, is coming to Harvard next Friday to play the historically significant George Stevens pipe organ at the Harvard Historical Society, 215 Still River Road.
The event is part of the society's Organ Revival Concert Series, and this being the second Halloween silent-movie with organ-recital, the society hopes to make the event an annual one. Audience members are welcome to wear costumes, organizers say.
Ortloff will accompany the 1927 silent film "Phantom of the Opera," starring Lon Cheney, playing a composition he developed previously for this film.
"The score is not 100 percent improvised, but neither is it 100 percent planned," Ortloff said. "I have a number of themes that I use, for different characters or different moods, but the weaving together of them, and the exact way in which they're played, is improvisatory."
Ortloff is the winner of the American Theatre Organ Society's 2008 Young Theatre Organist Competition. According to Steve Abrams of the Harvard Historical Society, Ortloff was here last Sunday practicing on the organ, and "tailoring the score to fit the particular qualities of our organ."
"Obviously we are very pleased to have someone of Jonathan's caliber play for this event which we hope will attract a wide audience and increase interest in our organ restoration," Abrams said.
As previously reported in the Press (see "Historical Society's pipe organ to receive complete restoration," Sept. 24, 2010), awareness of the organ's superior qualities and historical significance came about gradually. Maintenance required prior to each concert became increasingly expensive and was resulting in diminished returns; the organ had reached the limits of its serviceability.
Considering a restoration involved getting a detailed quote, which the society requested in 2006 while preparing for a concert by organist Michael Kleinschmidt, then organist at Trinity Church in Boston. Kleinschmidt, preparing to play the organ, took note of its condition, which he thought to be original. Andover Organ Company had serviced the organ in the 1960s before it sat unused for 30 years. The first concert (by Kleinschmidt) sponsored by the historical society brought the company back into the picture. Donald Olson, president of Andover Organ Co., pointed out that the organ appeared to be unaltered from its original condition, and offered to do a survey of its condition. And so the process of discovery began.
Enter organ historian, author, and organist Barbara Owen, brought in by the historical society to play the George Stevens organ for a concert, while Andover Organ was conducting its survey. Owen immediately took note of the organ's unaltered condition and provided advice in tandem with Andover's recommendations. A "perfect storm" of discovery was brewing.
"It's kind of a miracle in this day and age to have a manual organ of this size in totally unaltered condition," Olson said.
He explained that most organs underwent a series of alterations over time to standardize their pitch with other instruments, and manual parts got replaced with electronic ones.
"This one is all original," he said.
When asked what qualities make this particular organ unique or special, Ortloff said, "What's so special about the Harvard Historical Society's organ is that, having never been severely altered, it retains a decidedly 19th century sound. It's lively and light, but at the same time, strong and powerful."
After the survey results from Andover confirmed that the organ was unaltered, Owen (a former president of the National Organ Historical Society) presented a certification by that organization for the "organ of historic interest" at her concert in May of last year.
When asked at the historical society's last fundraising event (an art open house last January) how the fundraising was coming along for the restoration project, society president Denis Wagner said, "The real story here is that it is still a grassroots effort. Money is coming in very slowly and in small amounts. We believe that as we continue to raise awareness with these concerts, the money and support will follow."
Since then, a strategy has emerged to raise public interest in not just the organ, but also the unique qualities of the space in which it resides.
"The space that contains the organ is like a time capsule because it was closed off when the organ was installed and has remained unchanged since 1870," Wagner said in a recent email to the Press. "Once restored we can better offer it to musicians as a 'period' instrument and learning tool, and the community will be the beneficiary of the fabulous quality and condition of our facility and the organ."
Regarding events of this type, Abrams said, "The beauty of the meeting house as a music venue is highlighted. Possible ways of using the organ (theater music, classical music, jazz) are presented, and the Harvard community becomes aware of the space as a resource for other events, such as wedding ceremonies. Our hope is that this will lead to a recognition of the role the organ and space can play in the community, and that this will lead to the private donations that in the end will provide the funds necessary to get the restoration completed."
The historical society needs to raise approximately $100,000 to complete the restoration of the organ and make improvements to the space into which it is built. Eileen Kronauer, grant writer for the project, said in an email that she has urged the historical society to raise $25,000 in pledges and donations by the end of 2011.
"This will show the grantors there is local interest and support, and make it more likely to get the rest of the money we need to complete the restoration," Wagner said.
In the meantime, Kronauer is still researching grantors to find the best match.
"The timing of grant money is important since we will have to use any funds awarded within a year of receipt," she said. "We want to make sure that we have raised our portion before actually submitting an application. In terms of a timeline, we will start submitting applications for grants as soon as we have sufficient public commitment."
When asked if there is any indication that the public is beginning to get behind the restoration project, Wagner said, "There is a following, a number of folks who regularly inquire about the progress of the project and who have informally offered to support it when appropriate. We have had at least one offer for a significant pledge. We are trying to somehow get the message across that now is the time to come forward with a pledge for support."
For those who cannot make it to the film and concert Friday, there is another fundraising event on Saturday evening. Singer/songwriter Alan Reid will be performing a benefit concert. For information go to www.HarvardHistory.org and click on "Events."