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The Dedication Concert of the Albee Mighty Wurlitzer
Saturday, November 28, 2009
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the Ballroom in Cincinnati's historic Music Hall
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| Organist Ron Rhode at the Mighty Wurlitzer Organ |
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From the moment he sat down at the console, organist Ron Rhode had the rapt attention of the sell-out crowd in Music Hall's ballroom for the dedicatory concert of the Albee Wurlitzer Organ. While a classically-trained organist, his repertoire of old favorites from the 1920s, 30s, and 40s -- with a few "newer" selections, including an Elvis Presley hit and a number from the Broadway hit Wicked -- showed off the organ's range and depth. See the songlist from the concert.
Other crowd favorites included the Latin beat of "See You in C-U-B-A," "Mystics of the Noble Shrine," the playful tune "The Jack in the Box," and "Caprice Viennois," Fritz Kriesler's old WLW "Moon River" theme. "It was an honor to be here," he said, adding that this concert was one of the highlights of his 36-year career.
Steve Loftin, Executive Director of the Cincinnati Arts Association which operates Music Hall for the city, read a proclamation from Mayor Mark Mallory declaring November 28 as "Mighty Wurlitzer Organ Day" in Cincinnati.
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| Not only were all the original concert tickets sold, but the Society for the Preservation of Music Hall decided to add another 100 seats to the ballroom -- tickets which were sold within a day! Despite the sunny weather and other holiday attractions, every seat was filled, and some people were standing. |
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Organist Ron Rhode (left) with Norma
Petersen, president of SPMH, and
SPMH member Ron Wehmeier |
Guests look at photos of the RKO Albee
Theatre, a display created by Scott
Santangelo, manager of Music Hall.
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Left to right: SPMH member Maureen Dillon,
Bill McKim and SPMH Recording Secretary Karen McKim with the Commemorative Program.
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Left to Right: Joe Perin, Ron Rhode, Pat Perin.
Joe and Pat Perin rescued beautiful objects
from the RKO Albee before it was torn down
and donated them to Music Hall for the ballroom.
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Adelaide Cawein (left) and Nancy Hellman arrived early to get good seats. Adelaide had once
played the Wurlitzer when it was in the Emery.
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Wurlitzer enthusiasts fill the ballroom at
Music Hall as they patiently wait for the
concert to begin.
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Joyce Van Wye, co-founder and former president
of the Society for the Preservation of Music
Hall with current president Norma Petersen. |
Following a well-deserved standing ovation,
organist Ron Rhode
plays an encore
selection, "Whispering".
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Watch a video on the Mighty Wurlitzer featuring organ builder and restorer Ron Wehmeier. |
See photos from Mr. Wehmeier's workshop, where he's restoring the parts of the organ. |
Find out about the Ohio Valley Chapter of the American Theatre Organ Society |
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