Louis Vierne: Carillon de Westminster
 
Stephen Tharp the famed American Concert Organist has just recorded a benefit CD to help raise $200,000 for the complete restoration of the pipe organ at the Parish of Our Lady of Refuge in Brooklyn, NY. This Video was filmed March 10, 2007 at the console of the church’s 25 rank Kilgen, Opus 5163. This instrument was built to the design of Charles M. Courboin. Construction was started on the organ in September of 1933 and completed on November 30, 1933 “except console-awaiting shipping instructions”. It was shipped to the church in January of 1934 and the church was dedicated in June of 1934. On Monday March 12, 2007 the Organ Clearing House will remove the organ from its chambers to protect its 1800 pipes and mechanism from harm while major structural repairs are carried out in the organ chambers and to the tower of the church. During the time the organ is out of the chambers (stored in large wooden crates on the church property) the parish must raise funds to re-leather the entire organ and clean all of the pipes in the organ (for stability of tone and tuning). This work will be carried out by the Ohio firm of
A. R. Schopp’s Sons, Inc in conjunction with James Konzelman. The parish is working hard to raise funds to accomplish this, but the parish is seeking outside funds to augment its fund raising activities. Once fully restored this organ will last many generations. Can you help us restore and save a pipe organ? If you are interested in helping and have questions please contact the Pastor, Fr. Michael Perry at the rectory.
 
Our Lady of Refuge Church, R.C.
2020 Foster Avenue
Brooklyn, NY 11210
718 434 5620
Pipedreams Website on the organ
 
Special Thanks to James Konzelman for his expert tuning on Saturday and dedication to this project.
 
 
Stephen Tharp plays Our Lady of Refuge
Kilgen Pipe Organ from 1934 Part 3
Saturday, March 10, 2007