FORMER
4/20 Wurlitzer |
Delzer Residence
Bismarck, North Dakota
This Wurlitzer "Publix 1" organ (Opus 1848) was originally built for the Minnesota Theatre (36-40 9th St. & Hennepin Ave.) in downtown Minneapolis. The instrument was mismatched to the Minnesota Theatre: The auditorium seated a little over 4,000. At that size, the Publix #1 Model Wurlitzer was fairly lost in such a huge space once the seats were filled. However, it is apparent that the musical qualities of the Minnesota Wurlitzer were pretty good overall. There are at least three selections by famed Midwest organist Eddie Dunstedter that have survived. "If I Had You" and "Parade of the Wooden Soldiers" being two of them. Even for 1928/'29 recordings, the cavernous acoustics of the Minnesota are in evidence. The organ console was mounted on a revolving lift located in the house-left end of the orchestra pit.
The Wurlitzer has fared much better after leaving its original home. The Minnesota (called the "Radio City" in the last years of its existence) was torn down in 1959. The Wurlitzer found its way into the hands of Reiny Delzer of Bismarck, North Dakota who installed it in his home in 1961. In a probably rare instance of theatre organ history, Eddie Dunstedter, the same organist who originally dedicated the organ in 1928 in Minneapolis, once again dedicated it with an inaugural concert on January 28, 1961 after its installation in the Delzer residence was completed in 1960.
The organ was the focal point of the 1963 American Theatre Organ Enthusiasts convention. Dunstedter was at the bench again, much to his own delight and to all of those heard him play. George Wright also performed at this convention.
After the Red River Theatre Organ Society was organized in 1965, the Delzer Wurlitzer, already familiar to members of the new ATOS chapter, was a frequent destination for chapter meetings as Reiny was a friend to many chapter members.
Reiny Delzer died in 1985 at age 80, and around that time, the organ went to a private installation in Middleton, Wisconsin (home of Bob Gilson) where it was installed and enlarged by David L. Junchen. Additional ranks at the Gilson studio included: English Horn, Horn Diapason, Salicional, Voix Celeste, Krumet, Spitzflute, Spitzflute Celeste and Trompette en Chamade. I believe the original Dulciana was not included. Gilson also had a set of 32' Diaphone beaters and built new resonators for the set.
Much of the preceding information was obtained from Pipe Organ List website.
NOTE: No Instrument Specification sheet from the time it was installed in the Delzer Residence is available for this instrument.
