Articles

New Organ at St. John’s Episcopal Church, Gig Harbor

Leave a comment
New Rieger/Pasi organ at St. Johns Episcopal Church

Saint John’s Episcopal Church in Gig Harbor, Washington, is pleased to announce that it has commissioned the distinguished organ builder, Martin Pasi of Roy, Washington to install the Rieger Organ fabricated by the Rieger Orgelbau, Schwarzach, Austria into the sanctuary of Saint John’s church. The instrument was originally built for the Recital Hall at the State University of New York at Purchase, New York. Thanks to the wonderful generosity of Judy and Stan Stearns, the organ will assist in the prayers and praises of the community of Saint John’s. The organ was originally installed in 1981, and the initial installation and tonal finishing was overseen by, then Rieger employee, Martin Pasi. Mr. Pasi , after the installation of that instrument, continued to reside in the United States and now leads the firm of Pasi Organ Builders. The firm of Pasi Organ Builders, Incorporated, since 1990 has completed some 26 new instruments. The specification of the instrument originally was:

  • GREAT
  • 16′ Bourdon
  • 8′ Principal
  • 8′ Gedackt
  • 4’ Octave
  • 2′ Blockflöte
  • 2 2/3’ Mixture Major
  • 1 1/3′ Mixture Minor
  • 1’Scharff
  • 8′ Krummhorn
  • POSITIVE
  • 8′ Rohrflöte
  • 4′ Octave
  • 2’ Superoctave
  • 1 1/3′ Quinte
  • 1’ Octävlein
  • PEDAL
  • 16′ Bourdon
  • 4’ Octave
  • 16’ Fagott
  • 8′ Trompete

As part of this installation in its new home, Mr. Pasi and his team will be building some five new stops. A Trompette will be created for the Great division; the original 1’ Scharff stop will be replaced by a 4’ Flute, and the 1 1/3’ Great mixture will be replaced by a 2’ Principal. The Krummhorn will be placed on the Positive division replacing the 1’ Octävlein. As there was no 8’ flue line in the Pedal division, the 8’ Trompete will be replaced by an 8’ Principal-like Salicional, or a Gemshorn. The 16’ Fagott will also be new and built by Pasi Organ Builders. In acoustical preparation for the instrument, the carpeting will be removed from the floor and replaced by a wood floor. The final specification , then, will be:

  • GREAT
  • 16′ Bourdon
  • 8′ Principal
  • 8′ Gedackt
  • 4’ Octave
  • 4’ Spitzflöte (New pipework)
  • 2’Octave (New pipework)
  • 2′ Blockflöte
  • 2 2/3′ Mixture Major
  • 8′ Trumpet (New pipework)
  • POSITIVE
  • 8′ Rohrflöte
  • 4′ Octave
  • 2’ Superoctave
  • 1 1/3′ Quinte
  • 8’ Krummhorn
  • PEDAL
  • 16′ Bourdon
  • 8’ Gemshorn (New pipework)
  • 4’ Octave
  • 16’ Fagott (New pipework)

Leave a Reply