Last
updated on: 26-01-2002Last
updated on: 26-01-2002
Goal of
the NOF: the preservation of Cinema (=theater) organs in the Netherlands
Cinema-organs,
could be heard on radio in the fifties as famous organ players were regularly
broadcasted in those years. A lot of people didn't go to cinemas an theatres
anymore when television was introduced. Therefore many cinemas had to close
their doors or were split into smaller rooms, so that most of the organs had to
be taken out and disappeared. Only a few instruments remained, but were
neglected.
The Nederlandse Orgel Federatie (NOF) was founded
in 1970 to save the remaining organs
in the Netherlands from destruction and some
cinema organs are now under the protection of the NOF.
The technical teams do a great job in the necessary repair, rebuilding and the maintenance of these pipe-organs. The NOF now possesses a few instruments of its own, including the VARA studio organ made famous by Cor Steyn: This organ was built in in the restaurant of the CBS in Voorburg.
Highlight for the NOF in 2001 was the inauguration
of the largest theate
r organ on the European continent in 'de
Meenthe' in Steenwijk. This organ, built around 1930 for the ASTA-cinema
in Den Haag has as much as 29 ranks (rows with pipes) and 4 manuals and is owned
by the NOF. Thanks to Bert van Rossum and the technical team from Steenwijk, who
worked for seven(!) years on this organ, is sounds fantastic again!
Concerts on various organs in the Netherlands are organized during the concert season from September till May. Organists from various countries are invited to play these glorious instruments.
If you like to help us keeping this good work: join the NOF as a member, it only costs € 20,- a year (minimum). Each member will receive 'NOFiteiten', the club magazine with concert data and interesting items about organs and its players regularly. Members also pay reduced prices at NOF-concerts and are allowed to bring a guest, who pays the same entrance price as the member.
Source & Pictures: NOF.