The mundane numbers in the masthead of the December issue, “Ninety-ninth Year: No. 12,” do not seem dramatic or dignified enough for such an occasion as The Diapason’s 99th birthday. Yes, this issue marks the completion of our 99th year. Volume 1, number 1 appeared in December 1909—and boasted eight pages. Page 1 announced installations by the Hinners Organ Company (First Presbyterian Church, Michigan City, Indiana), Hook-Hastings (publication of its “green book” or general catalog), Casavant (Northwestern University, Evanston, Illinois), Coburn Organ Company (five organs in the Chicago area), and the Hope-Jones Organ Company (San Mateo, California; St. Paul, Minnesota; Irvington-on-Hudson, New York; and Jersey City, New Jersey).
Elsewhere in that issue are notices of work by Hann-Wangerin-Weickhardt, L. D. Morris, A. Gottfried & Co., W. W. Kimball, the Bennett Organ Company, and Barckhoff. Feature articles included “Tone Variety in the Small Pipe Organs Differs Much,” “Salt Lake Tabernacle Organ Attracts Throngs,” and “Plea for Highest Quality by a Well-Known Organist.” An editorial by founder, editor and publisher S. E. Gruenstein articulated the “Mission of The Diapason,” devoting its efforts exclusively to the construction of the organ and to those who build it. It also noted the prosperity of the era in the organ trade. What a difference a century makes! The organ world today is so distant from that of 1909—builders, tonal styles, action designs, church life, worship styles, and our general culture. Consider the many organ building firms that have begun, flourished, and then disappeared during the century. The December 1909 issue of The Diapason included a “Directory of Organ Builders.” Among the listings were Aeolian, Austin, Felgemaker, Mason & Hamlin, Midmer, Moeller, Odell, Pilcher, Schuelke, Seybold Reed, Jesse Woodberry, Votteler-Hettche, Estey, Steere, Kilgen, Hillgreen & Lane, Schantz, Wirsching, Howard, and Hall. It is wonderful to read the early issues of The Diapason and to get a glimpse of the organ culture of the time. Perhaps we can learn something to help deal with the many challenges of our day.
The present issue not only marks our 99th anniversary, but also signals the beginning of our 100th year. Throughout this year we will be assembling items from the past to celebrate the 100th birthday with the December 2009 issue. Stay tuned.
—Jerome Butera
