1955 Möller Opus 8626

When this organ was first examined by Buzard in February, 2008 there were a number of mechanical and tonal problems, the most urgent of which was that the extraordinarily large-scale added 32’ reed was falling over and collapsing.  Discussions throughout the year led to the signing of a contract for work in 2009 that included the following:

• Removed the 4-stop Pedal/Great windchest to factory.  Modified the windchest so that the Pedal reed section is winded separately, allowing it to play at a different wind pressure.  Repaired and improved supports for Pedal Principal and Great Gemshorn pipes, and repaired pipes as necessary.  Installed unit actions for Gemshorn notes 45-61.  Installed a new 12-note windchest and 12 treble pipes, so that the Gemshorn can also be available in the Great at 8’ pitch as well as 16’ pitch.  Changed windchest wiring so that the Great 8’ Bourdon can also be available in the Pedal at 8’ pitch. Upon reinstallation, installed proper braces and handholds for secure service access.
• Repaired and releathered the static reservoir.
• Installed new electric action expression engines, including new traces and shutter arms, and reactivated the side shutters for the Swell.
• Removed the console to our factory for renovations. Rebushed the existing keyboards and replaced chipped natural front key tops as necessary.  Rebushed the pedalboard and installed new maple naturals and new, taller sharps.  Regulated travel of pedal keys for proper standard.  Modified the multiplex relay to reflect the changes made to the specification.  Installed replacement stop faces on console drawknobs and rearranged stop order in Great division as appropriate.  Replaced the General Cancel thumb piston and rewired all thumb pistons to allow proper service access.
• Factory and on-site regulation and finishing of existing pipework. The flue pipes of the Great division were removed to our factory and bench voiced for maximum tonal effectiveness.  All pipes in all divisions were be checked on site for proper speech and regulation.
• Replaced the existing 32’-16’-8’ pedal reed pipes with a new, custom scaled, built and voiced 73-note 16’8’4’ Trombone, with resonators of 60% tin or higher.   New chestwork was  constructed and installed for notes 57-73, and the stop is also available on the Choir as an 8’ Tromba.    
• Once factory work was complete, pipes and windchests were installed, and the pipes were finish-voiced on-site.

 Möller Opus 8626, built in 1955 for Christ Evangelical Lutheran Church, Chicago (3/58)

(Relocated and enlarged 2000-2005 by Bradford Organ Company) 

                                                Pedal   4” wp

16 Subbass

16 Bourdon Doux (Sw)

16 Gemshorn (Gt)

8 Principal                                sc 42 C1=6-11/16”, C13=4”

8’ Bourdon (Gt)                       (Buzard)

8 Gemshorn (Gt)

4 Choral Bass (ext)

32 Trombone                           new Buzard 16-8-4 61 notes

16 Trombone (ext)

16 Trumpet (Sw ext)                C1=6”

8 Trombone (ext)

4’ Clarinet (Ch)                        (Buzard)

                                                Great 4” wp – revoiced Buzard

 16 Gemshorn               

8 Principal                                sc 59 C1=6”, C13=3-1/4”

8’ Open Diapason                    C1=5-3/4”,  C13=3-1/4”

8’ Bourdon                              

8 Gemshorn                              (Buzard extension)       

4’ Octave                                 Meyer sc 56 C1=3-5/8”

2-2/3 Twelfth                          

2 Fifteenth                               

1-3/5 Seventeenth                   

IV Mixture                              

8 Trumpet                                C1=2-7/8”, C13=2-1/4”

   Chimes

                                                Choir   4.5” wp           

8 Gedeckt                   

8 Erzahler

8 Erzahler Celeste (t.c.)

4  Harmonic Flute

2-2/3 Nazard

2 Harmonic Flute (ext)

1-3/5 Tierce

8 Clarinet                                

8 Trumpet-en-Chamade           (Bradford)

                                                Swell   4” wp  (made from old Moller Swell & Great + recycled Clarion & Fagott)

8 Open Diapason                     (was Gt)                       C1=5-1/4”

8 Rohrflute

8 Salicional

8 Celeste (t.c.)

4 Octave                                  (was Gt)                       sc 58 C1=3-5/16

4 Spitzflote                               (was Gt Spitz Pr)

2 Fifteenth                                (was Gt)

III Mixture                                (was Gt)

III Cymbale                              (was Gt)

16 Fagott                                 (from another Moller)

8 Trumpet                                C1=3”, C25=2-1/4”                            

8 Oboe (ext)

4 Clarion                                  an old (OSI ?) 8’ Tr