We have a 1916 South Haven Casavant here in Lake Linden, MI. In 2000 it was added to without changing the original 12 ranks. It is quite versatile with 22 voices. Much used and beginning to show signs of wear.
I am the actual organist at the basilica of Quebec. I listened this documentary with emotion. It permited me to listen how did that organ sound at that time! Very different than now. The last modifications was made in 1983-84 and now, it sound like a too loud french classical organ. The instrument need a huge restauration ($1,5M) and I wish to transform it in a neo-symphonic organ. Thanks very much for sharing!!
My church has a Casavant organ that was built in 1986. I was the temporary organist there in 2001 after I became a member. It has 2 manuals/33 ranks. I occasionally play there now for funerals, since I now play regularly for another church which has a very small Tellers organ. I played the Casavant 2 weeks ago and was reminded of the difference between the two instruments. The Tellers only has about 10 ranks and is crammed into a very tiny chamber but because of duplexing, borrowing and unification, the organ has a nice bright tone even if lacking a strong bass. It also has soft stops and a couple of reeds (trumpet and oboe). On the other hand, the Casavant organ can only be described as having 2 voicings (loud and LOUDER!). It does not have any soft or mellow stops. This is the only Casavant organ I have played but after hearing and playing this instrument I would not recommend this organ builder to any church unless they are looking for a very loud instrument.
@@garysmith394The Casavant I play is a small 4 rank extension organ. I find it is actually quite quiet, but granted the organ is way too small for the church that it is in.
The "chief technician" at 18:48 looks like it may be Stephen Stoot which would make sense since he was the tonal director from 1933-56. I remember seeing a photo of him on the Casavant website about 10 years ago and he looked similar to this. They photo they have up of him now is from when he was younger.
Interesting and very informative historical film. Many of the techniques shown are identical to those used today, pipe making and voicing, console construction, casework, and others. I wonder how close to 1945 this was filmed, as many of the materials mentioned (tin, zinc, copper for example) would have been rationed for military production use in 1940-1945, and probably not be available for civilian use. Any ideas on that? Thank you for posting this film. Hope to see your live organ visits in the near future.
How is the Casavant 4 Manual And Pedal Organ in First Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA doing in It's Renovation, please. God Bless U Always, Casavant Freres, Ltd. Mr. Granville S. Wright, Church Musician And Fellow Toastmaster And Admirer Of The Casavant Freres Ltd, Company Today.
I love how there’s no safety equipment! Safety regulations and the social programs in Quebec are what have driven the cost of these instruments beyond reason.
We have a 1916 South Haven Casavant here in Lake Linden, MI. In 2000 it was added to without changing the original 12 ranks. It is quite versatile with 22 voices. Much used and beginning to show signs of wear.
I am the actual organist at the basilica of Quebec. I listened this documentary with emotion. It permited me to listen how did that organ sound at that time! Very different than now. The last modifications was made in 1983-84 and now, it sound like a too loud french classical organ. The instrument need a huge restauration ($1,5M) and I wish to transform it in a neo-symphonic organ. Thanks very much for sharing!!
My church has a Casavant organ that was built in 1986. I was the temporary organist there in 2001 after I became a member. It has 2 manuals/33 ranks. I occasionally play there now for funerals, since I now play regularly for another church which has a very small Tellers organ. I played the Casavant 2 weeks ago and was reminded of the difference between the two instruments. The Tellers only has about 10 ranks and is crammed into a very tiny chamber but because of duplexing, borrowing and unification, the organ has a nice bright tone even if lacking a strong bass. It also has soft stops and a couple of reeds (trumpet and oboe). On the other hand, the Casavant organ can only be described as having 2 voicings (loud and LOUDER!). It does not have any soft or mellow stops. This is the only Casavant organ I have played but after hearing and playing this instrument I would not recommend this organ builder to any church unless they are looking for a very loud instrument.
@@garysmith394The Casavant I play is a small 4 rank extension organ. I find it is actually quite quiet, but granted the organ is way too small for the church that it is in.
I always liked seeing the Casavant facade pipes with the raised mouth like those seen at 9:24 what a great video.
Thanks for sharing this long forgotten jewel from the past.....I sure enjoyed it....
Pipemaker Laval Lemaire at 5:47. He used to sign his name on the back of the low C pipe of every stops he made.
Hey Bud, the sound was nicely cleaned up...thanks
I also believe that when the show How It's Made covered pipe organs, they filmed at the Casavant Freres shop.
A very interesting vintage film of the labour intensive construction of the components of a pipe organ.
That was fresh!
The "chief technician" at 18:48 looks like it may be Stephen Stoot which would make sense since he was the tonal director from 1933-56. I remember seeing a photo of him on the Casavant website about 10 years ago and he looked similar to this. They photo they have up of him now is from when he was younger.
Yes, this is Stephen Stoot.
Interesting and very informative historical film. Many of the techniques shown are identical to those used today, pipe making and voicing, console construction, casework, and others. I wonder how close to 1945 this was filmed, as many of the materials mentioned (tin, zinc, copper for example) would have been rationed for military production use in 1940-1945, and probably not be available for civilian use. Any ideas on that? Thank you for posting this film. Hope to see your live organ visits in the near future.
Very interesting. The voicing of the reeds sounds very.......odd. But I can’t complain considering how old this video is
"A pipe which has no teeth whistles exactly like a toothless man" That one made me chuckle too
There’s so much more to voicing a reed that can’t be shown on a video like this. What this video shows is a reed pipe being tuned, really.
Any idea of what organ the large facade pipe being polished at 9:21 with the signature Casavant mouth style ended up in?
How is the Casavant 4 Manual And Pedal Organ in First Presbyterian Church, Pittsburgh, PA doing in It's Renovation, please. God Bless U Always, Casavant Freres, Ltd. Mr. Granville S. Wright, Church Musician And Fellow Toastmaster And Admirer Of The Casavant Freres Ltd, Company Today.
I love how there’s no safety equipment! Safety regulations and the social programs in Quebec are what have driven the cost of these instruments beyond reason.