Los Angeles Art Organ Company
Encyclopedia
The Los Angeles Art Organ Company was based, as its name suggests, in Los Angeles
, California
. The firm was the successor to the Murray M. Harris
Organ Co., which was reorganized following Harris's ouster from the company. William Boone Fleming was the Factory Supervisor. The Los Angeles Art Organ Co. operated only from around 1903 to 1905 at which point it was moved to Hoboken, New Jersey and renamed the Electrolian Organ Company, with Eben Smith
as its president.
The biggest accomplishment of the Los Angeles Art Organ Company during its very short lifespan was the creation of the lavish instrument that was on display in Festival Hall at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. The instrument was the largest in the world at the time of its construction and contained more than 10,000 pipes. The organ, even though it wasn't completed on time and was only partially functional during the first weeks of the fair (due in large part to the enormous financial burden the construction was placing on the firm), was played by some of the most famous virtuosos of the time. Most notably is probably Felix Alexandre Guilmant (see Alexandre Guilmant
) who played a series of 40 concerts in a six week period. The organ was extremely well received and the Los Angeles Art Organ Company was awarded a gold medal from the World's Fair for its construction. This instrument is now installed in Philadelphia, PA and serves as the core of the famous Wanamaker Grand Court Organ.".
Another prominent organ by the Los Angeles Art Organ Co. is in Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco.
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. The firm was the successor to the Murray M. Harris
Murray M. Harris
Murray M. Harris is considered to be the "Father of Organ Building in the American West", and is remembered for building pipe organs of exceptional beauty and quality.-Background:...
Organ Co., which was reorganized following Harris's ouster from the company. William Boone Fleming was the Factory Supervisor. The Los Angeles Art Organ Co. operated only from around 1903 to 1905 at which point it was moved to Hoboken, New Jersey and renamed the Electrolian Organ Company, with Eben Smith
Eben Smith
Eben Smith was a successful mine owner, smelting company executive, railroad executive and bank owner in Colorado in the late 19th century and early 20th century.-Early life:...
as its president.
The biggest accomplishment of the Los Angeles Art Organ Company during its very short lifespan was the creation of the lavish instrument that was on display in Festival Hall at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair. The instrument was the largest in the world at the time of its construction and contained more than 10,000 pipes. The organ, even though it wasn't completed on time and was only partially functional during the first weeks of the fair (due in large part to the enormous financial burden the construction was placing on the firm), was played by some of the most famous virtuosos of the time. Most notably is probably Felix Alexandre Guilmant (see Alexandre Guilmant
Alexandre Guilmant
Félix-Alexandre Guilmant was a French organist and composer.- Short biography :Guilmant was born in Boulogne-sur-Mer...
) who played a series of 40 concerts in a six week period. The organ was extremely well received and the Los Angeles Art Organ Company was awarded a gold medal from the World's Fair for its construction. This instrument is now installed in Philadelphia, PA and serves as the core of the famous Wanamaker Grand Court Organ.".
Another prominent organ by the Los Angeles Art Organ Co. is in Congregation Sherith Israel in San Francisco.