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MMD > Archives > January 2000 > 2000.01.23 > 03Prev  Next


42-Key Organ by Rudolf Bruns of Berlin
By Ralph Schack

Ingmar Krause in MMD 000121 made the following comment regarding one
of organs made by Rudolf Bruns:

> Bruns -- also builds a 20er in his very own style, as well as
> a reconstruction, or even better: a new construction, around
> a few rolls found on a flea-market => the original organ is unknown!
> I think there are only six of those ...

The organ described as the "reconstruction or even better: a new
construction" is the 42er Violino Pan with 6 registers, 42 flute and
72 violin pipes.

The genesis of this organ was the lot of 15 rolls found at a Berlin
flea market in 1987 by the wife of a collector.  The rolls appeared to
have a scale similar to a 45er trumpet scale, with a roll width of 192
mm, but these rolls were only 150 mm wide.  Rudolf Bruns knew that, in
the 1920's, barrel operated 42er Drehorgeln had been built in Berlin.
They were eventually converted to keyless roll operation.  The recently
discovered rolls played a surviving 42er clarinet organ.  Six organs
were subsequently built to play the existing rolls, but with registers
and pipes to Bruns' liking.  Fortunately, we are lucky enough to have
one of the six organs.

Ingmar further states:
> and they have a problem since they transport the roll
> too fast, so you have to turn veeeerrryyy sloooowwwlyyy."

The Bruns 42er has a neat little adjustable gear-like mechanism that
lets you play rolls at different speeds.  If you find that you need
to crank the organ veeeerrryyy slooooowwwlyyy, you just rrreeaacchhh
inside and put the pulley on the smaller diameter gear!  You'll be
cranking at normal speed in no time at all.  We've never had any
problem pumping this organ at the proper speed.  (And Robbie is right
-- it is Gloria's favorite Drehorgel, and mine too!)

Ralph Schack


(Message sent Sun 23 Jan 2000, 21:51:06 GMT, from time zone GMT-0800.)

Key Words in Subject:  42-Key, Berlin, Bruns, Organ, Rudolf

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