Russell & Co. Pipe Organ Builders of Chester, Vermont, announces the commission of a new pipe organ for Zion Lutheran Church, Appleton, Wisconsin.
The four-manual instrument, to be located in the balcony behind the 1903 casework built by John H. Sole of Freemont, Ohio, will consist of 46 ranks, Harp, and Chimes. The new organ will feature an eclectic tonal design, with principal choruses, flutes, and symphonic elements.
The core of the instrument will be historic pipes from the original Sole organ as well as a collection of reeds and strings from Möller Opus 6007 (1931), which was purchased from First Baptist Church, Elmira, New York for inclusion in this project. The original voicing of this example of Richard O. Whitelegg’s work as tonal director and reed voicer of the Möller Organ Company will be preserved.
The new instrument, Russell’s Opus 57, is scheduled for completion in late 2012. The complete specifications of the organ can be found at www.russellorgans.com.
