Dear fellows of the MMD, It is with the deepest regret that I have
to announce the death of organ builder Frederic Keller of Pirmasens,
Germany. The bad news reached me only yesterday during a routine
search on the Internet, and were confirmed by a mutual friend.
I met Mr. Keller back in 1975, when he was still resident in
Bollschweil in the Black Forest, making his miniature carousels with
22-note organs inside them. During the years to follow, I made several
arrangements for his miniature organs, and though we lost contact in
the early 1980s, he continued to inspire me during many years (he still
does).
Taken in as a pupil by Carl Frei, Jr., of Waldkirch, Frederic Keller
set up his own organ business first in Dachsberg Finsterlingen, then
in La Barthale, Saverdun, France. In 2012, Frederic returned to his
native Pirmasens, where he died 17th October, 2013, having suffered
from cancer for years.
Christofer Noering
Stockholm, Sweden
|