Mechanical Organ Owners Society
MOOS TOUR 2024
The Low Countries have long been famous for their tradition of mechanical music in the form of self-playing mechanical organs that were used on the street, on fairgrounds and in cafes and dance halls. Today many collectors and experts in these countries ensure that these historic instruments are preserved and enjoyed. On this tour we visited some of the best of these collections, visited the workshops of two leading organ builders and attended a special commemorative event.
Saturday 9 November 2024
Our journey began with pick-ups at Stevenage, Ebbsfleet, Maidstone Services, and Dover before boarding a ferry for the short sea crossing to Calais. After arriving in France, we traveled to Antwerp, where we spent the night at our hotel. Dinner was served upon arrival, providing a warm welcome after the day's journey.
With the evening free, some chose to unwind at the hotel, while others ventured into the historic city. Antwerp, once the heart of the Belgian Mechanical Organ industry, offered a fascinating glimpse into its past. A few of us even visited Café Beveren, the last remaining traditional dockside café with a dance organ, adding a unique and nostalgic touch to the first night of our trip.
Our journey began with pick-ups at Stevenage, Ebbsfleet, Maidstone Services, and Dover before boarding a ferry for the short sea crossing to Calais. After arriving in France, we traveled to Antwerp, where we spent the night at our hotel. Dinner was served upon arrival, providing a warm welcome after the day's journey.
With the evening free, some chose to unwind at the hotel, while others ventured into the historic city. Antwerp, once the heart of the Belgian Mechanical Organ industry, offered a fascinating glimpse into its past. A few of us even visited Café Beveren, the last remaining traditional dockside café with a dance organ, adding a unique and nostalgic touch to the first night of our trip.
Sunday 10 November 2024
Our journey began with a heartfelt tribute to the renowned organ builder Theofil Mortier, marking the 80th anniversary of his passing. In a special joint event with our Belgian sister society, MechaMusica, we brought a Mortier organ to his graveside in Merksem. There, we held a moving musical ceremony in his honor before gathering at a nearby café to continue the commemoration with lively conversation and refreshments.
From Merksem, we traveled to Deurne in the Netherlands to explore the newly established private organ collection of Hans Bekkers. His impressive array of instruments, featuring organs by Gavioli, Mortier, Bursens, and Decap, along with a magnificent Welte concert organ, provided a wonderful experience. We had ample time to listen to and appreciate these incredible instruments before continuing our journey.
Our next stop was the village of Kerkdriel, where we visited the workshop of Martin Conrads, a leading Dutch organ builder. His expertise in restoring and maintaining historically significant instruments was evident as he shared insights into his work, particularly with museums and private collections.
As the day drew to a close, we made our way to Haarlem, where we checked into our hotel. After a delightful dinner, the evening was free for relaxation, with many opting to unwind at the hotel bar before retiring for the night.
Our journey began with a heartfelt tribute to the renowned organ builder Theofil Mortier, marking the 80th anniversary of his passing. In a special joint event with our Belgian sister society, MechaMusica, we brought a Mortier organ to his graveside in Merksem. There, we held a moving musical ceremony in his honor before gathering at a nearby café to continue the commemoration with lively conversation and refreshments.
From Merksem, we traveled to Deurne in the Netherlands to explore the newly established private organ collection of Hans Bekkers. His impressive array of instruments, featuring organs by Gavioli, Mortier, Bursens, and Decap, along with a magnificent Welte concert organ, provided a wonderful experience. We had ample time to listen to and appreciate these incredible instruments before continuing our journey.
Our next stop was the village of Kerkdriel, where we visited the workshop of Martin Conrads, a leading Dutch organ builder. His expertise in restoring and maintaining historically significant instruments was evident as he shared insights into his work, particularly with museums and private collections.
As the day drew to a close, we made our way to Haarlem, where we checked into our hotel. After a delightful dinner, the evening was free for relaxation, with many opting to unwind at the hotel bar before retiring for the night.
Monday 11 November 2024
Today, we spent the entire day at the superb Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, one of the finest museums of its kind in the world. Surrounded by an incredible collection of organs and orchestrions from major manufacturers, we were treated to a mesmerizing display of these magnificent instruments. A highlight of the visit was the recently restored Louis Hooghuys dance organ, with its stunning Art Nouveau façade. Since the museum is closed to the public on Mondays, we had the privilege of an exclusive visit, allowing us to experience the instruments at length. Many of them played music upon request, making the experience even more special.
Today, we spent the entire day at the superb Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, one of the finest museums of its kind in the world. Surrounded by an incredible collection of organs and orchestrions from major manufacturers, we were treated to a mesmerizing display of these magnificent instruments. A highlight of the visit was the recently restored Louis Hooghuys dance organ, with its stunning Art Nouveau façade. Since the museum is closed to the public on Mondays, we had the privilege of an exclusive visit, allowing us to experience the instruments at length. Many of them played music upon request, making the experience even more special.
After enjoying an early dinner at our hotel in Haarlem, we headed to the Haarlem Organ Museum, one of the longest-established and most renowned museums of its kind. The visit was a true delight, as we experienced music from a wide variety of organs. The highlight was undoubtedly the "Kunkels Organ," a massive Marenghi dance organ that had been rebuilt by Carl Frei for fairground use during its time with the Hommerson family.
Another fascinating attraction was “De Lekkerkerker,” one of the finest street organs ever built by Carl Frei. Expertly restored by Adrie Vergeer, this magnificent instrument had been in occasional use in its home city of Gouda until very recently. The rich, vibrant sounds of these organs filled the museum, making for an unforgettable experience.
After the musical evening, we returned to our hotel in Haarlem for an overnight stay. The visit to the museum was well worth the €8 admission fee, which we paid upon arrival.
Another fascinating attraction was “De Lekkerkerker,” one of the finest street organs ever built by Carl Frei. Expertly restored by Adrie Vergeer, this magnificent instrument had been in occasional use in its home city of Gouda until very recently. The rich, vibrant sounds of these organs filled the museum, making for an unforgettable experience.
After the musical evening, we returned to our hotel in Haarlem for an overnight stay. The visit to the museum was well worth the €8 admission fee, which we paid upon arrival.
Tuesday 12 November 2024
Yesterday, we began our journey home, making a stop in Belgium to visit the newly established workshop of Alberic Godderis in De Panne. After spending years honing his craft at the Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, Alberic has now set up his own business and warmly welcomed us for our first visit to his new premises. His workshop was already bustling with activity, and we had the opportunity to see his current major project—the restoration of the great Gaudin dance organ, once the pride and joy of the late Jos Leclair.
After an insightful and enjoyable visit, we continued to Calais for our ferry crossing, before arriving back at our designated drop-off locations, bringing our memorable trip to a close.
Yesterday, we began our journey home, making a stop in Belgium to visit the newly established workshop of Alberic Godderis in De Panne. After spending years honing his craft at the Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, Alberic has now set up his own business and warmly welcomed us for our first visit to his new premises. His workshop was already bustling with activity, and we had the opportunity to see his current major project—the restoration of the great Gaudin dance organ, once the pride and joy of the late Jos Leclair.
After an insightful and enjoyable visit, we continued to Calais for our ferry crossing, before arriving back at our designated drop-off locations, bringing our memorable trip to a close.
