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Art of Organ Building 1 & 2 |
Volume I opens with an 85-page outline of the history of the organ and then treats various descriptive matters, such as the external design and decoration of the organ, the internal arrngement and mechanical systems of the organ, acoustical matters in regard to organ pipes (theories of sound-production in organ pipes), tonal structure and appointment, the compound stops of the organ, etc. Audsley, in this volume, gives an extensive description of all the organ’s components, and sets out the differences in structure among church, concert-room, and chamber instruments.
The second volume goes more deeply into construction particulars. Chapters deal with the swell in the organ; manual claviers and couplers; pedal claviers and couplers; tracker action; the slider and pallet wind-chest; the pneumatic lever and couplers; the ventil system and combination action; draw-stop action; and various materials and modes of construction of wood, metal, and reed pipes, etc. Other discussions are given over to the art of voicing, pitch, tuning, and regulating; the tremolant; construction of the swell-box; the expression-lever; and electricity in organ building (in its infancy at the time). Each procedure is clearly illustrated, and the text is supplemented by various tables and exact specifications. This is perhaps the most intelligible practical guide to organ building ever written.
Despite some changes in this field since 1905, this book remains definitive, especially in mechanical aspects of the subject. It contains a wealth of invaluable knowledge that cannot be found in any other source; the illustrations alone have made this work one of the most sought-after in the musical literature.
Unabridged republication of original (1905) edition, incorporating corrections (in errata section in 1st edition) in the text.
Volume One: Proem. 69 figures (line drawings of organs, diagrams, etc.), 5 full-page plates. Numerous tables. x + 600pp. 6 1/2 x 9 1/4 Paperbound.
Volume Two: Specifications of organs. Index to both volumes. 316 figures (drawings, construction designs, etc.), 10 full-page plates. Numerous tables. iv + 758pp. 6 1/2 x Paperbound.
Two-volume set, Paperbound.