In memoriam: Henri Krijnen
Completely unexpectedly, our member Henri Krijnen passed away on 5 August 2018. In 2014, our society got the chance to visit his collection and we learned to know him as a very hospitable man.
The committee extends its sincere condolences to the family.
39. Internationales Drehorgelfest Berlin
Text: Uwe Gernert - Photos: Helga Behr, Uwe Gernert
From Friday, 6th Juli to Sunday, 8th July the 39. International Drehorgelfest Berlin took place in the capital of Germany. For me this is the paramount event for organ grinders in Germany and undoubtedly there are a lot more people thinking the same way - this year Christa Hohnhäuser as the head of the organization committee was proud to welcome some 170 organs again and nearly 200 participants from 12 different nations.
The festival started at Friday from 12:00 p.m. with the organ grinders already present at that time to be presented live on the stage and giving the public a first impression of what they could expect during the next few days. Most of the international friends already were at Berlin at that time so we listened to a potpourri of outstanding performances even on the first day with grinders (and 'grinderesses') from Estonia, Denmark, Switzerland and Germany. The evening on Breitscheidplatz saw lots of people dancing to live music.
LUGA, trade fair at Luzern (CH) on 5th May 2018
Text: Uwe Gernert – photos: Helga Behr and Bruno Leoni
Let me tell you again about the fair we´ve been invited to for several years now: just in contrast with last year's really bad weather conditions this year's 24th participation of organ grinders on the fair showed up with a grey but dry morning and temperatures around 20°C. The weather cleared up throughout the day and the fair had lots of visitors.
Bruno Leoni invited some 20 players to show and play their instruments to the public. After a warm welcome by Renate Ulrich (one of the organisators of the fair) and Bruno, we split up in groups of 2 or 3 grinders and circulated the whole area.
The public interest in organs is still high in Switzerland and we had a lot of good conversations with interested folks about our organs, how they function and how to become a grinder. The grinders started playing at 10:00 h in the morning and ended up at 16:00 h. Afterwards we had our usual meeting at the beertent "Dorfplatz-Beizli" and were invited by that place's landlady Esther for a meal and some drinks.
If you´re around in Switzerland at the time of LUGA, just drop by and listen to all the different types of organs Bruno invites because of their differences, every time a well chosen mixture. Besides that you´re able to experience typical Swiss stuff like "Säulirennen" (a pigs' running contest) or St. Bernhards dogs and their puppies.
Mechanical Music Radio
Organ owner and -aficionado James Dundon has launched an internet radio station that will undoubtedly become the favourite station of every enthusiast of mechanical music! 24 hours a day, you can enjoy the music of hundreds of different instruments on http://www.mechanicalmusicradio.com/. (Do consider to make a donation, as making radio costs money!)
10-19 August 2018: open days at Decap Herentals
Take your agenda and mark the following event: from 10 till 19 August 2018 there will be open days again at the premises of Decap Herentals with various artists and innovations, presented in the organ building. The circus of the Ronaldo family will be present again! More information about this happening will be available in springtime.
