I don't know if it is a fair analysis or not, but I have found the Dutch Principals to be bolder and fuller than their North-German-patterned counterparts. For instance, the Pels and Van Leeuwen organ at Hope College, Holland, MI has a lovely, rich Diapason/Principal in the case.
In the last year and a half I've been fortunate to play at least 45 different pipe organs....
thinking back I will always remember the diapason rank on the Odell at St. Bernards, West 14th street in New York City..definately my favorite diapasons so far!
The lowest Moller 8' diaspons on my church's organ are the best I've heard so far. They have an extremely full tone, fuller than that of the 50-rank Austin I played at St. Paul's in Ocean grove, which were a bit airy in comparison. These are very wide-scaled diapasons that I have at LBC, though, and it's just like a big deep sine wave. The 4' and up diapasons are very mediocre, though.
Comment