Pasi Organ Builders - The Embodiment of Harmony

THE EMBODIMENT OF HARMONY

A HISTORY OF ORGANS IN THE ROMAN CATHOLIC CATHEDRALS OF OMAHA CULMINATING IN AN ORGAN BY MARTIN PASI WITH TWO TEMPERAMENTS

by © 2007 Kevin Christopher Vogt
B.M., St. Olaf College, 1988
M.M., University of Notre Dame, 1992

This study chronicles the 150-year history of organs in the Roman Catholic cathedrals of Omaha, Nebraska, including Opus 293 (1869) of New Englander William A. Johnson, Opus 51 (1918) of the short-lived Michigan firm of Casavant Brothers, and most notably, Opus 14 (2003) of Austrian-born Martin Pasi. At the time of its installation in Saint Cecilia Cathedral, Pasi's magnum opus was one of a few organs in the world capable of playing in two temperaments, and unique in boasting both "pure" quarter-comma meantone and a well-tempered tuning accommodating repertoire of the 19th century.

PREFACE

INTRODUCTION

1. PRECURSORS OF THE PASI ORGAN

Organs of the First and Second Cathedrals
Saint Mary's Cathedral
Saint Philomena's Cathedral

The Third Cathedral and its First Organ
Casavant Bros. Opus 51
The Custodians of Casavant Opus 51
The End of Casavant Opus 51

Auxiliary Organs
Austin Opus 1812
Bedient Opus 38
Bedient Opus 60

2. THE CONCEPTION OF A NEW CATHEDRAL ORGAN

Commission
Patronage
Solicitation of Proposals
Contract with Martin Pasi

Research
Visit to Stanford University
Symposium at Pacific Lutheran University
European Study Tour

Design
Design Influence of the Temperament Scheme
Detail of Stop and Combination Actions
Changes to the Stop List
Definition of the Wind System
Reconciliation of Internal Form and Case Design

Toward an Apology for the Organ
Public Dialogue
Academic Discourse

3. THE REALIZATION OF PASI OPUS 14

Building and Installation
The Artisans: Martin Pasi and Associates
Description of the Organ Building Process
Installation of the Organ in the Cathedral

Public Reception of the Organ
Inaugural Events
Subsequent Concerts
Conferences
Guests and Tours
Recordings

Impact on the Cathedral Music Program
The Saint Cecilia Schola Cantorum
Resident Organists

CONCLUSION AND PROPOSITIONS FOR THE FUTURE

Projects for Development
Endowments
New Ancillary Instruments
Subbass Illuminations
Liturgical Practice, Improvisation, and new Compositions

Suggestions for Further Research and Documentation
Technical Documentation of Pasi Opus 14
Theological Interpretation of the Organ

General Conclusion

Appendix

1. PASI OPUS 14 SPECIFICATION AND STOP LAYOUT

2. PASI OPUS 14 TECHNICAL DRAWINGS

3. PASI OPUS 14 PIPE SCALES

4. PASI OPUS 14 TEMPERAMENTS

5. ORGAN CONCERT PROGRAMS 2003-2006

6. PASI OPUS 14 GUESTBOOK 2003-2006

BIBLIOGRAPHY

Please Note: The format of this book has been modified from the original. Omitted from the web version are: The list of Illustrations and Tables.