Tannenburg Celebration in Old Salem, N.C.
Friday, March 19th, 2004

(Click the "Tannenberg" button on the left for event pictures courtesy of Wyett Colclasure. Thanks, Wyett!)

Beginning at 1pm on Friday, March 19th, 2004 in Old Salem, NC, there was a three day event to celebrate the restoration by Taylor and Boody Organ Builders, Staunton, VA, of the organ built in 1799-1800 for the Moravian church in Old Salem. For those who arrived early on Friday, the archive building was opened especially for attendees and we were treated to a display of documents by Tannenberg and others concerning the installation of the organ, written in German and the angular script that was used in that era. Also displayed were technical drawings by Tannenbert of other organs as well as a technical drawing by him for a clavicord. All in all, a facinating display of unique historical documents!

This was the first time this magnificent instrument had been heard in public performance in over 93 years. There was a dedicatory recital on Friday evening, March 19th, played by the renowned organist Peter Sykes of Boston, MA, featuring music of Christian Latrobe and others of the period as well as a newly commissioned piece by Dan Locklair in honor of the celebration.
There were several Symposia on March 19 & 20 which focused the beginings of the Moravian settlement in the area, the building of the Salem Home Church, and of course, on restoration of the organ.

I am proud to report that the Hilbus Chapter was well represented! Members from the Hilbus chapter who attended the events included Paul Birkner, Carl Schwarz, Wyett Colcasure, TommyLee Whitlock and Randy Wagner. General attendence for the event was so large that the recital was performed twice to accommodate everyone.

Featured speakers included:
Paula Locklair who spearheaded the restoration
Barbara Owen, renowned organ historian and editor of A Century of American Organ Music1776 - 1876
Laurence Libin - research curator of the Metropolitan Museum of Art
Dr. Nola Reed Knouse - Director of the Moravian Music Foundation
and many more!

Liturgical rededication of the organ was on Sunday afternoon, March 21st, to coincide with the birthday of David Tannenburg.

photo courtesy of Robbie Lawson and Bruce Shull, Taylor & Boody

For specifications and more photos, follow these links:
http://www.davidtannenberg.com/Tannenberg_1800_Old_Salem.htm

Pictures from the Tannenberg reinstallation

Thanks to Wyett Colclasure for these great pictures from the reinstallation in Old Salem, NC!!

Before the weekend events began, the Moravian archives were opened up for Tanneberg attendees. Below are a couple of the items that were on display for us.


Letter by David Tannenberg dated Lititz, May 1802. German was the language of the community until the mid 19th century



From the diary of Frederick Marshall, community administrator, the stop list of the organs at the Moravian Home Church
and also the stop list of the 1798 organ in the old Single Brothers Hall.
This document was a major key to the puzzle of restoring this instrument to its orignial condition
and the information will facilitate the future restoration of the Single Brothers Hall organ to its original state.

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