Hello everyone, I am pleased to report that the Salzburg Stier barrel
organ project is progressing right on time.  Needless to say, each and
every step of the project is given great attention by many different
people connected with Austria's Museums and Universities in Vienna and
Salzburg.  The emphasis is not to rush any part of the project and to
research each and every step thoroughly.

The two barrels for the organ are now at the National Museum Van
Speelklok Tot Pierement (National Museum from Musical Clock To Street
Organ) in Utrecht, the Netherlands, under the care of Dr. Jan-Jaap
Haspels (head conservator), Bob van Wely, (assistant conservator) and
Dick van Minnen (head of workshops).  Their work is estimated to take
approximately fourteen months.  Soon we will have a complete report on
this important work on the Stier's web site,
http://www.geocities.com/salzstier/

The Stier's organ pipes restoration has now been completed and the pipes
have been delivered back to the Festung Hohensalzburg.  Soon the other
components will be arriving and work will begin on reassembling the
instrument.

The instrument is actually located on two floors.  The organ itself is
positioned in a small room which is literally attached to the outside
of the wall of the fortress, high above the city of Salzburg.  This
room has windows which are opened when the Stier is played, allowing it
to be heard down below in the city.

The actual Hornwerk section of the organ which creates the bellowing or
roar sound (i.e., reason the organ is called the Stier) is comprised of
138 large metal pipes, which all sound together.  This sound was used
for various signals in the 1500's -- everything from warning people of
the approach of enemy armies, or even of special festivals, such as the
greeting of Prince Archbishops, Kings, and other Royalty of Church or
State.

It was recently discovered that this signaling or Hornwerk section
could be operated independently of the organs barrel operation, which
also has a device to turn on the bellowing before and after each song
is played.  This would have been used daily for signaling things such
as when to get up in the morning for Mass at church, then off to
work, noon meal time, and when to go to bed in the evening, etc.  In
this case the bellow or roar was followed by a selection of music
played on the organs second section.

This second section is comprised of a 25-key organ which was operated
by a large wooden barrel.  These barrels were pinned by various people
over the centuries, some long forgotten and some very famous, such as
Leopold Mozart, father of Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart.

Leopold arrived in Salzburg in 1743 and entered into the services of
the Prince Archbishop as the fourth violinist in the court orchestra.
He eventually advanced to the position of court composer and, in 1763,
vice-conductor.  It was during this time that he was commissioned to
create the new barrel to be played on the Salzburg Stier.  This work
is contains music of Michael Haydn, J. E. Eberlin and both Mozarts,
twelve melodies in all -- a song for each month.

The large pumps and reservoirs are located one floor below.  Again,
more information will be on the Stier's web site showing each component
and its instillation as it is completed.

Years ago some items were replaced with more modern parts, such as the
addition of an electric blower for the wind.  Now this has been removed
and the organ once again will be fed by the original bellows design.

These bellows required the operating power of five men (who were
usually prisoners of the fortress).  The new bellows will be able to
operate as original, with five men (no longer prisoners!) or, for daily
operation, via a mechanical linkage.  Every effort to restore the Stier
to its original form is being taken.

Now for the good news.  The official celebration, for the return of the
Salzburg Stier barrel organ to Fortress Hohensalzburg is to take
place 19 to 24 September, 2002.  Many special events are already being
planned for this celebration in Salzburg.  The main one (after the
playing of the Stier of course) is a street and fair organ festival!

This festival is being organized by Herr Fichtinger, an expert and
collector of antique automated musical instruments, also a member of
MBSI, GSM, etc.  Herr Fichtinger lives very close to Salzburg, and will
be working closely with all the various government agencies to insure
that the gathering is a real success.

Anyone interested in obtaining information regarding bringing their
instrument to Salzburg for the festival should contact Herr Fichtinger
directly by telephone: 0662/660838 or fax: 0662/660838-3.  He has no
email address as yet; Herr Fichtinger speaks German.  I am pleased to
forward any emails on to Herr Fichtinger via fax, as well as answer
questions in English concerning the celebrations.

Also, special events will be held for people who contributed to the
restoration up in the fortress Hohensalzbug, so don't get left behind,
contribute something today.

I also have CD's of the Stier in concert, before the restoration.
Price is $15.00 postage included, and all money goes toward the
restoration of the Stier.  Please send me an email at
<ronalds715@aol.com> to order a copy.

Also, the opportunity to have your name listed beside the Salzburg
Stier in the Fortress Hohensalzburg as a "Friend of the Salzburg Stier"
has been well received.  Contributions start at just $50.00 for which
you receive a CD of the restored Stier in concert as well as a
commemorative book describing the Stier's history and its restoration.
Please see the Stier's web sit for full details.

I am also pleased to announce that the Stier web site is now in English
and German, thanks to the hard work of our web master, Mr. Paul Zitlau.
See  http://www.geocities.com/salzstier/

Best Regards to everyone.

Ron Schmuck