Today is September 11th, and the airwaves are filled with memories of the horrific events of September 11, 2001, when terrorists hijacked airplanes and used them as weapons. Everyone has a story of remembering where you were when you found out about the attacks, the fall of the World Trade Center towers, the attack on… Read More Seventy-eight years ago today …
A few days ago, I received an email from my friend and former organist duet partner, Jieun Kim Newland. Hi Kathy, A good friend of mine, Russell Weismann is visiting Honolulu. He and I studied together at ISM (Institute of Sacred Music). He is a fabulous organist and is teaching at Georgetown University. Russ is also… Read More Distinguished visitor
The latest bulletin board in the courtyard of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu focuses on the history of the music program with special focus on the Rudolf von Beckerath organ and organ concerts which have been held at the church since 1975. You may or may not know that Carol Langner, whom I call the… Read More Queen of the Bulletin Boards
Last weekend was the 79th birthday of Joseph Hansen, whom you may remember was the Music Director of the Lutheran Church of Honolulu before Carl Crosier. Joe sent me a long email last August about the Beckerath organ selection process—much of which I never heard before. I knew that Carl was sent to the mainland to… Read More Another piece of the puzzle
When the late Carl Crosier programmed Bach’s monumental St. Matthew Passion in the year 2000, he wanted to present the work as it was originally conceived for the Thomaskirche in Leipzig: for two separate orchestras, two choirs, and two sets of soloists. It meant we also needed two pipe organs, which meant purchasing a continuo… Read More Organ duets
One thing Pastor Don Johnson (LCH pastor 1969-2000) will not forget was the first time organbuilder Rudolf von Beckerath entered the Lutheran Church of Honolulu — that was before it was remodeled — closed up, air-conditioned, and terrazzo floors installed. (For a comprehensive biography of von Beckerath, check out this link on the company’s website.) In those days,… Read More With a snap of his fingers . . .
Howard Dicus, who is listed as the “Resident Explainer” of Hawaii News Now (KGMB-KHNL-KFVE) and his cameraman came to the Lutheran Church of Honolulu to film a segment for the Sunrise morning show. According to Joey Fala and Hans-Ulrich Erbsloeh, both men were suitably impressed with the organ! Hans said it was clear that Howard knew… Read More Joey and the Beckerath on TV!
In this week leading up to the anniversary of the Beckerath organ, I can’t help but think that there were three important people forty years ago who are no longer with us: Rudolf von Beckerath, Carl Crosier and McNeil Robinson who were so instrumental in putting this organ on the map: Rudolf von Beckerath, for building… Read More Remembering Neil
Forty years ago, the Lutheran Church of Honolulu sought to revitalize its music program, beginning with the purchase of a mechanical action organ — a tracker organ — altogether unique and unprecedented in Hawaii, in a classic design made by one of the leading master organbuilders, Rudolf von Beckerath of Hamburg, Germany. It turned out to… Read More What is a tracker organ?
The last few days have been super busy for me, as I get ready to leave for Seattle, did the dress rehearsal today for tomorrow’s Iolani School chorus concert, and finished up the publicity for the 40th anniversary of the Rudolf von Beckerath organ program on Sunday, May 24th at 5:00 pm. The latter meant… Read More 40th Anniversary booklet has arrived!