Blake Doss, Organ

Lunchtime Organ Recital Series

First Presbyterian Church, Neenah

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

 

 

 

 

 

Praeludium in F-sharp Minor, BuxWV 146                                              Dietrich Buxtehude

                                                                                                             (1637-1707)

 

 

Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr, BWV 662                                              Johann Sebastian Bach

                                                                                                              (1685-1750)

 

 

Rubrics: A Liturgical Suite for Organ                                                     Dan Locklair

          V.  The people respond – Amen!                                                                 (b. 1949)

 

 

Fugue in E-flat Major (“St. Anne”), BWV 552/2                                                    J. S. Bach

          (from Clavierübung Part III)

 

 

Symphony No. 1, Op. 14                                                                       Louis Vierne

          IV.  Allegro Vivace                                                                                 (1870-1937)

          VI.  Final

 

 

The First Presbyterian Church was formed in 1848, and a church was built in 1851.  A larger church was built in in 1870 standing in the block across the street from the present church.  Photographs show a small tracker organ in the front of the sanctuary.  In 1900, a new church was built next to the old one.  Photographs show a larger tracker organ in the front of that building.  In 1934, the church was remodeled and a new three manual Aeolian Skinner organ of about 30  ranks was given by Mrs. Henry Kimberly Babcock. The present building was dedicated in 1954, at which time the organ was moved from the old church and enlarged to 57 ranks on 43 stops keeping  20 ranks from the 1934 instrument. 

 

In 1969 the organ received a new console and some stops were added to the Great.  In 2001 the acoustics of the sanctuary were  enhanced with a new slate floor and ceiling work. In 2005 the organ was rebuilt by Goulding & Wood, Inc. of Indianapolis, IN. The Great division is almost entirely new, the chests are new, a new facade was  added, and all connections are solid state.  At 59 ranks, 73 stops, and 3619 pipes, it is the largest pipe organ in the Fox Valley.