It was my great privilege to be asked by Mr. George Buck to assist completing the installation of this instrument and then stay on working on maintenance for 2 years. I got play it often, what a joy!
I heard this organ during the premier of "Aladdin" in the 90's. It was during the Thanksgiving holiday, and the mix of Holiday & Disney music brought tears to my eyes. A truly, great organ.
Fortunately, this instrument is well cared for, and is used regularly. There are two other surviving Wurlitzer organs of the same series as this one: the Fox theaters of Detroit and St.Louis. They are the same size as the El Capitan (S.F. Fox) unit; the only difference being there may be some variations in the overall combinations of stops, and the color scheme employed on the console. Oh, and both of those still have the 32 foot stops available!
0:22 I've Been To El Capitan Theatre In Hollywood In Los Angeles California On The United States Of America Back In March 2016 And It Was Super Awesome. Thanks Mate. X
How would anyone compare a theatre organ to a regular church pipe organ? I think a theater organ is more sophisticated in terms of sound quality than a regular church pipe organ. That’s just my philosophy...
I wonder if they kept that 32 foot Diaphone stop? It is nice to see it once again. Perhaps damped down a bit from the S.F. Fox but still good to see it. It is on my bucket list to see it one more time. My folks would take us down to the old Fox and take in a two film movie. Pop would walk us around the theater during intermission just before the concert at intermission.
@vonHallmackenreuther the first one is "when you wish opon a star" the second one is "zip a de do da, zip a de day,what a wonderfull day." the third one is tale as old as time. from beautie and the bease.and you know the last one.
Eh? What happened to the bench that the organ originally had at the Fox? The twisty, gold, wrought-iron looking think with the velvet seat? I thought the El Capitan still had it.
The organ does sound good but not like it did in the SF FOX. I heard that it was revoiced at least in part and that the arrangement in the pipe chambers is less than ideal. That's unfortunate.........and also the fact that this organ is pretty much relegated to playing Disney tunes. This deserves to playing the full breadth of repertoire that is associated with theater organs.......
Andrew Larson “repertoire associated with theater organs”. You mean old favorites from the early 20th century and movie tunes that few born after WWII care much about?
The organ was not revoiced. The swell openings in the El Capitan's original chambers is less than ideal. Nevertheless, be thankful that the organ was not broken up and sold as parts.
It was my great privilege to be asked by Mr. George Buck to assist completing the installation of this instrument and then stay on working on maintenance for 2 years. I got play it often, what a joy!
I heard this organ during the premier of "Aladdin" in the 90's. It was during the Thanksgiving holiday, and the mix of Holiday & Disney music brought tears to my eyes. A truly, great organ.
Fortunately, this instrument is well cared for, and is used regularly. There are two other surviving Wurlitzer organs of the same series as this one: the Fox theaters of Detroit and St.Louis. They are the same size as the El Capitan (S.F. Fox) unit; the only difference being there may be some variations in the overall combinations of stops, and the color scheme employed on the console. Oh, and both of those still have the 32 foot stops available!
0:22 I've Been To El Capitan Theatre In Hollywood In Los Angeles California On The United States Of America Back In March 2016 And It Was Super Awesome. Thanks Mate. X
So cool.
Le très bon wurlitzer de la Fox de SantFrancico sauvé et restauré!! superbe!!!!
How would anyone compare a theatre organ to a regular church pipe organ? I think a theater organ is more sophisticated in terms of sound quality than a regular church pipe organ. That’s just my philosophy...
Bob is awesome!
Now that is a lovely decorated organ console.
I wonder if they kept that 32 foot Diaphone stop? It is nice to see it once again. Perhaps damped down a bit from the S.F. Fox but still good to see it. It is on my bucket list to see it one more time. My folks would take us down to the old Fox and take in a two film movie. Pop would walk us around the theater during intermission just before the concert at intermission.
Yes, the 32' octave of diaphone pipes are mounted on the pin rail to the organists right. They do play.
My first time hearing him play was for The Haunted Mansion. *sigh* I miss you, El Capitan. :(
Is the El Capitan gone? If so, what became of the organ?
@@deborahpeeples1439
It's still there, I just haven't been there in a long time, especially since the lockdown.
As far as I know, per an earlier comment, the El Capitan stiull uses the SF Fox's unique wrought-iron bench... sometimes.
A nd even that bench seems to have had its ends cut off!
@vonHallmackenreuther the first one is "when you wish opon a star" the second one is "zip a de do da, zip a de day,what a wonderfull day." the third one is tale as old as time. from beautie and the bease.and you know the last one.
HeartPiece4u I think you mean “Beauty and the Beast”
Eh? What happened to the bench that the organ originally had at the Fox? The twisty, gold, wrought-iron looking think with the velvet seat? I thought the El Capitan still had it.
When you wish upon a star from Pinocchio
A nd even that bench semms to have had its ends cut off!
Horray for "BOB"
@vonHallmackenreuther the very last one when his going in the pit is , guys and dolls.
HeartPiece4u It’s NOT guys and dolls. Not even close. It’s “Hooray for Hollywood” which first was heard with the 1937 movie, Hollywood Hotel.
Very good but have noticed how many American organists finish a tune with a big glissando and a chord rather than do the job properly?
The organ does sound good but not like it did in the SF FOX. I heard that it was revoiced at least in part and that the arrangement in the pipe chambers is less than ideal. That's unfortunate.........and also the fact that this organ is pretty much relegated to playing Disney tunes. This deserves to playing the full breadth of repertoire that is associated with theater organs.......
Andrew Larson “repertoire associated with theater organs”. You mean old favorites from the early 20th century and movie tunes that few born after WWII care much about?
At least it was saved and not destroyed with the theater.
The organ was not revoiced. The swell openings in the El Capitan's original chambers is less than ideal. Nevertheless, be thankful that the organ was not broken up and sold as parts.