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Back in 1971 I went to the opening program on this 176 rank equiv. organ played by Virgil Fox. He came back I think within a year or two with his Rodgers Touring organ and literally blew the socks off the Saville. Does anyone know if the Saville is still installed at the Auditorium (and assumedly collecting dust) or if it was removed?
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Re: Saville - Auditorium Theatre - Chicago
Around here (Chicago) the rumor is that the Saville was parted-out years ago.</P>
The Saville should have sounded much better than the Rodgers. Oh well...</P>
There are only a few ranks left from the Roosevelt, too. (At the Indiana University Auditorium and possibly in William H. Barnes' organ that went to a church)</P> -
Re: Saville - Auditorium Theatre - Chicago
As I recall, one of the reasons for the Saville's inaffectiveness was that the speakers were buried up in the old organ chambers. I did own a couple of second hand Savilles and the sound they were capable of was quite amazing considering the sparse population of components found inside a console. The main problem was some poor construction techniques used in assembling the circuitry, not the circuitry itself. Some of the circuit boards were huge and rather flimsy. Great ideas and possibly the later instruments were constructed better. Consoles were quite nice and solidly built although the first I had used a dreadful organ supply house hold-set combination action. Guess there are still a few of these around. The first model I had used 6CW4 Nuvistors (loads of them!). </P>
Anyway, thanks for the reply. It would be interesting to find out if the console is still used somewhere.</P>Comment
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Re: Saville - Auditorium Theatre - Chicago
Hi,</p>
According to Tom Cotner, who was involved with Saville, the Chicago Auditorium organ got dumped several years ago. Everything but the console, went to the dump. Mr. Cotner is now in possession of the console.</p>
According to Tom, Virgil played the inaugural concert there, and also came by with his big touring Rodgers. Apparently he played the encores on that concert on the Saville, and he bent down and kissed the Saville console when he finished. According to Tom, the Saville sounded better, but also the differences were most apparent.</p>
So now, you know the REST OF THE STORY.</p>
AV
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Re: Saville - Auditorium Theatre - Chicago
Thanks for the update on the Auditorium Saville, although sorry to hear its demise. I had forgotten about VF playing the encores on the Saville. I still have the ticket stub for the dedication recital, but alas, no programs for either event. </P>
The unfortunate fact is that these huge organs being in naturally large venues require mucho $$$$$ to even open the doors and pay all involved so many of the events that might be; never are. </P>
Regards</P>Comment
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