Setting Record Straight on Theater Organs

It seems obvious that Al Hoffman (Times, Letters, Sept. 19) needs enlightenment in organs in general, and theater organs in particular. The city did not buy a “$50,000 lemon,” but an exquisite jewel of an organ that is world famous. Built by Wurlitzer, it was originally installed in the San Francisco Fox Theater. We are all indebted to the city of La Canada Flintridge for selling it at a modest price in order to keep it “in the neighborhood.” They could have gotten a much higher price had they let this gem leave the area. It was, indeed, a bargain.

As to the American Guild of Organists and the quote “Organ recitals are few and far between and poorly attended.” Guild organists are dedicated to classical and liturgical music and this is not everyone’s “cup of tea.” Classical organs differ greatly from theater organs (sometimes called “Unit Orchestras,” because they were designed to replace large orchestras with only one organist, at a great savings in salaries).

As to Mr. Hoffman calling the theater organ an “obsolete musical instrument,” again he is in serious error. Many, many theater organs have been reinstalled in theaters that had lost theirs, and some have gone into older theaters, which had provisions for an organ that was never installed because of the Depression.

Locally, this would include the Pasadena Civic Auditorium, Pasadena City College and the San Gabriel City Auditorium. Theater organ is alive and well throughout the United States, Great Britain, Australia and New Zealand in large numbers, and concerts are frequent. Hopefully, the Fox/Lanterman organ will be lifting our spirits in the Glendale Alex in the near future. The Glendale city fathers and the many local organizations supporting this movement are to be congratulated for their foresight.

HERBERT B. STOCKINGER

Los Angeles