He is also an active solo performer with performances across the country. Bernstorf says the Wurlitzer had to be located in Exhibition Hall – one of five halls in Century II - because the cement walls were the only ones in the building that could hold 50,000 pounds of pipes.īrett Valliant is the Wurlitzer's artist-in-residence. The pipes, ranging from six inches to 32 feet, are installed behind hidden decorative screens in chambers above the stage.
The Wurlitzer is physically built into Exhibition Hall so its future depends on what happens with Century II. It is really an experience that you have to be there in person,” he says. “There’s just no other musical instrument that has that power and can develop those frequencies that are radiated by the walls, the ceilings. Bernstorf says the organ’s sound is so powerful, the audience can actually feel the music. The organ is called a “unit orchestra” because it only needs one player. “It can replicate all the sounds of an orchestra - whether it’s the strings, or the brass or the woodwinds or even the percussion,” Bernstorf says. It has four keyboards, 32 foot pedals and hundreds of stops that trigger more than 2,000 pipes to create that signature Wurlitzer sound.īernstorf says the original voicing, or sound of the organ, has been retained since its debut. The console is the control center for the organ. When it’s not in use, the Wurlitzer is kept in a locked storage room stage right. It sits on a carpeted wood platform with wheels to enable easy maneuvering to the stage at Century II’s Exhibition Hall. The white and gold console stands about six feet tall and weighs 1,700 pounds. “The city commission at that time had asked us to find any instruments that we could recommend for the new civic center ,” he says. When that deal fell through, Bernstorf says a group of Wichitans raised money to buy the instrument and bring it to town. It was removed in 1964, and went to Los Angeles to be housed in a theatre. The instrument accompanied silent films and provided music during intermission and other times. The Wurlitzer was built in 1926 for New York’s Paramount Theatre in Times Square. “They think it’s an organ, and organs don’t have positive connotations to many people.” Others aren’t quite sure what to make of it,” Bernstorf says. “Some people are surprised to even know it’s down in Century II. He says many people in the community don’t know about the Wurlitzer or its history. With Century II’s future in question, the organ’s caretakers are working to increase public and city support so the Wurlitzer can remain in Wichita.ĭavid Bernstorf is the president of the Wichita Wurlitzer organization, the nonprofit that owns and maintains the 93-year-old theatre organ. For more info, contact James on (09) 525 7067.A famous Wurlitzer pipe organ has been based at Wichita’s Century II for about as long as the performing arts center has been open. Tickets on sale at the door on the day from 1:15pm.
#Wurlitzer organ sound movie
This will be a very special afternoon as Ron Clark plays his very last silent movie for us, bringing to a close 28 years as “House Organist” at the Hollywood Cinema. Beginning with an uproarious skewering of pomp and formality, "City Lights" ends with one of the most famous last shots in movie history and, from start to finish, so completely touches the heart and tickles the funny bone that in 1998, it was named one of the American Film Institutes Top-100 American Films.Ī special fundraising event to support the on-going upkeep of the Hollywood Cinema - helping to preserve the home of Auckland's historic Wurlitzer pipe organ. The story, involving the little tramp's attempts to get money for an operation that will restore sight to a blind flower girl, provides the star with an ideal framework for sentiment and laughs. The "talkies" were well established in 1931 when Charles Chaplin swam against the film-making tide with this forever classic "silent" movie.
Hollywood Cinema “House Organist” Ron Clark, will bring the silent screen to life as he accompanies his favourite, the classic Charlie Chaplin comedy “City Lights” with music and sound effects provided by the Wurlitzer pipe organ. The program includes a “play-in” by the Wurlitzer organ from 1.30pm, early sound movie shorts and then our silent movie feature.īefore the days of sound movies we had the “silents” and these motion pictures were brought to life, first by costly orchestras and then in the 1920s, by the mighty Wurlitzer pipe organ.
#Wurlitzer organ sound series
Here comes the third in our series of silent movie shows, where we take you back to the golden days of going to the movies.
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