Facebook Live Event

Sunday, June 7, 2020, 7:00 pm CDT
https://www.facebook.com/events/1474791869392961/
You don’t have to have a Facebook account to watch!

The distinguished 1963 Casavant pipe organ at Our Savior’s Lutheran Church has had an impact on the church and music community in Milwaukee since its installation. Stories abound of organ lovers and church musicians who attended programs in their earlier years and were captivated by its unique sonic signature. The famous recitalist E. Power Biggs gave a memorable program soon after its dedication. Later programs by the Belgian organist Flor Peeters, and by numerous local and internationally known performers, kept the instrument in the city’s consciousness.

Designed by Lawrence Phelps, Casavant’s tonal director at the time, it is an exceptional example of the neo-classic style evolving in the early 60’s, with its three silvery Principal choruses at 8-foot pitch on the three manuals, and a sparkling Ruckpositiv division behind the organist. Avoiding the extreme brilliance and percussive attacks of many of these neo-classic instruments, the warmth of foundation tone and some characteristic color stops influenced by Phelps’s earlier association with the Aeolian-Skinner company also make it suitable for a wide range of repertoire.

With the congregation’s decision to sell the building and eventually close the congregation, the organ’s future is uncertain as of this writing, though two serious new homes for the instrument have already been considered. Negotiations for a third are now in progress. Removal may begin in early June, whether to storage or to a new worship where its sound will continue to inspire God’s praises for many decades to come.

Join current Our Savior’s organist John Seboldt and several colleagues from the Milwaukee organist community in a compilation of video recordings from the last several weeks in a Facebook Live audio-video event hosted on this page, this Sunday, June 7, 2020, 7:00 pm (USA Central Daylight Time), and on demand soon afterward. Just click on the link above or HERE.