This is the "FRANGEMA" Decap organ from the MAS museum in Antwerp, playing "The Smurf Song" (Het Smurfenlied).
I really encourage you to go see this organ in person at the MAS museum, it plays every Sunday for guests.
I would like to especially thank the guide of the Museum, who shared with passion and enthusiasm the history of this great organ. Thank you for helping keep the passion for these instruments alive!
Interesting facts:
- The organ is kept in a pristine state by the Museum, it is apparently inspected very regularly by DECAP to make sure everything runs smoothly
- They have a lot of songbooks for the organ, but only play modern copies to preserve the original ones
- Since its installation in the Museum, the organ has only undergone some light electrical renovation to ensure it would be up to electrical safety standards. It otherwise plays in perfect condition.
History of the organ: "Dancing with Francoise, Antonia, Georges and Marcel"
This Goliath organ with 121 keys was a revolutionary invention by the Decap brothers (1936). Organ books with punched holes were able to operate an enormous range of records thanks to the presence of 121 pins.
The organ dating back to 1947 was modernised on several occasions. In 1961 it was given its present look and its name FRANGEMA, which is a combiation of the first letters of the names of those renting out the organ, the two Teufels brothers and their wives: FRançoise, ANtonia, GEorges and MArcel.
#MASmuseum #antwerpen #dansorgel #decaporgel #danceorgan #orchestrion
11 янв 2022
