As a teenager in the 1950’s I used to play the organ in the Odeon Wealdstone,regularly. I think it was a 2 manual 4 rank Compton : Tibia, Tuba, Flute and Diapason. However whis was over 50 years ago – I was a school boy at Harrow and I earned my first “professional” fees – 10 shillings a show there, and at the Odeon Swiss Cottage (a 3 maual Compton with Melotone) and the Gaumont, Camden Town (a 4 maual Compton – the top manual was a coupler manual with the Tuba available.) This was an unnusual installation with the console at the left side of the proscenium, coming out from behind a curtain at the press of a button.There were 2 chambers under the stage. The auditorium had fine, rich acoustics, which enhanced the magnificent organ sound. I recently (2004) gave some concerts in Australia including Melbourne, where the magnificent organ in Malvern Town Hall – which resembles town hallls in the UK, such as Southampton in the 20’s, has been built with parts from several British organs, including the Odeon Swiss Cottage. If I’m wrong I’m sure someone will correct me!
John Foss, GRSM, ARCM, one time director of Grant, Degens and Bradbeer, arguably successors to the John Compton organ co
That looks like a beautifully restored Wurlitzer! It’s really good to see them come back to life again!
harfo32
As a teenager in the 1950’s I used to play the organ in the Odeon Wealdstone,regularly. I think it was a 2 manual 4 rank Compton : Tibia, Tuba, Flute and Diapason. However whis was over 50 years ago – I was a school boy at Harrow and I earned my first “professional” fees – 10 shillings a show there, and at the Odeon Swiss Cottage (a 3 maual Compton with Melotone) and the Gaumont, Camden Town (a 4 maual Compton – the top manual was a coupler manual with the Tuba available.) This was an unnusual installation with the console at the left side of the proscenium, coming out from behind a curtain at the press of a button.There were 2 chambers under the stage. The auditorium had fine, rich acoustics, which enhanced the magnificent organ sound. I recently (2004) gave some concerts in Australia including Melbourne, where the magnificent organ in Malvern Town Hall – which resembles town hallls in the UK, such as Southampton in the 20’s, has been built with parts from several British organs, including the Odeon Swiss Cottage. If I’m wrong I’m sure someone will correct me!
John Foss, GRSM, ARCM, one time director of Grant, Degens and Bradbeer, arguably successors to the John Compton organ co