…having had lessons for years on this pipe organ in Oakland, with Dr. Von Rotz I am amazed at the stories! I helped modify and maintain several parts of this glorious organ with him. He knew the electronics and mechanics of the console and pipe chambers thoroughly. Dr. Von Rotz was in no way trivial, a brilliant and inventive organist, playing traditional church and popular music. I was saddened to learn of his passing and now to know this “Dave’s” organ is through. The Church has no idea what it is done. For whatever reason they give, it’s wrong. The new church location in CV was designed by Weldon Beckett, then with bragging rights to the new Kaiser building next to lake Merritt. It was a big deal for such a small congregation to achieve the clarity and vision to build a theatrical center/church. The initial plans were elaborate and included the organ. Dr. Dave and I were disappointed with the slashing of the ornamental grand plans, in favor of the very lean outcome. I left the church to attend college at the time of the move. I played it once after its installation. It was just to much trouble to have to go the control room to engage the sound system to play the instrument. The organ console wasn’t in the ceiling on 84th!
…having had lessons for years on this pipe organ in Oakland, with Dr. Von Rotz I am amazed at the stories! I helped modify and maintain several parts of this glorious organ with him. He knew the electronics and mechanics of the console and pipe chambers thoroughly. Dr. Von Rotz was in no way trivial, a brilliant and inventive organist, playing traditional church and popular music. I was saddened to learn of his passing and now to know this “Dave’s” organ is through. The Church has no idea what it is done. For whatever reason they give, it’s wrong. The new church location in CV was designed by Weldon Beckett, then with bragging rights to the new Kaiser building next to lake Merritt. It was a big deal for such a small congregation to achieve the clarity and vision to build a theatrical center/church. The initial plans were elaborate and included the organ. Dr. Dave and I were disappointed with the slashing of the ornamental grand plans, in favor of the very lean outcome. I left the church to attend college at the time of the move. I played it once after its installation. It was just to much trouble to have to go the control room to engage the sound system to play the instrument. The organ console wasn’t in the ceiling on 84th!