THE BEST OF "BIG BERTHA" Vol. 1
$14.98
Heard in the TV series "HOUSE" and "911"
The "Big Bertha" Carousel Fair Organ
captures the adulation of audiences everywhere she was exhibited. One of three
organs
that were on a beautiful old Looff Carousel in Ramona Park,
Grand Rapids, Michigan, from 1910 to 1955. She was put in storage
until moved to Gulf Shores, Alabama. Big Bertha is a
Limonaire Organ having been made in France in the late 1800's. She was
purchased by Paul Eakins in 1963, and over 2500 man-hours
were spent in completely redoing the organ from August 1963 to
June 1966. During 1978, the fifth change in the method of
programming was made for Big Bertha. Big Bertha was showcased a
the Gay 90's Village in Sikeston, Missouri, and the Gay
90's Melody Museum in St. Louis, Missouri. The organ also traveled the
country to various State Fairs and Expositions up until
Paul Eakins retired in 1978. He then sold Big Bertha and most of his
collection to Disney World in Orlando, Florida. First, she
was a Barrel Organ, playing from a 90 key pinned cylinder. Second,
she was changed to play from perforated cardboard books of
music. Third, in 1913, was converted to play from North Tonawanda
endless rolls. Fourth, changed to play from 82 key Artizan
rolls. Fifth, now plays from #165 Wurlitzer Military Band Organ rolls.
Big Bertha plays 369 pipes, a bass drum, a snare drum, two
bells, tympani, double castanets, cymbals, a triangle, and a set of 18
bells. The very ingenious snare drum action stems back to
the great Leonardo Da Vinci who designed this type of arrangement.
The triangle perforations now activate the two comely
bell-ringers. The Director, Big Bertha, is in time with the bass drum. The
piccolos now play intermittently with the trumpets. When
the piccolos are playing, the bell-ringers play in unison with the bass
drum. The director holds the baton with her right hand, and
when she turns her head to the left, directs in time with the bass
drum; when she looks straight ahead again, she raises her
left hand. She is flanked on either side by a bell-ringer. The three
figures are beautifully proportioned and resemble real
people. Hand carved, the embellishments are colorful and elaborate.
On the top grille is an unusual figure-head resembling
Columbus. Two charming cherubs with carved gossamer drapings also
adorn the grille. At the lower center of the facade is a
very savage-looking gargoyle. These are all fine examples of the highly
specialized art of wood-carving. Big Bertha is truly a work
of art and her music is very exhilarating, bringing back the nostalgia of
bygone days. Sit back and enjoy Big Bertha at her best!
1.
Royal Trumpeters
2. Vienna Blood
3.
Santiago Verse
4.
Ben Hur Chariot Race
5. Liberty Bell
6. Espanita
7. Sharpshooters
8.
On The Beautiful Danube
9. Our Director
10.
Loves Dream After The Ball
11.
The Thunderer
12.
One Thousand and One Nights
13.
Fairest of the Fair
14. La Gatina
15. Storm King
16.
Spirit of Love
17.
Dream of Heaven
18.
American Patrol
19.
Battle Hymn of the Republic
20.
Officer of the Day
21.
Stars and Stripes Forever