Amsterdam - any chance of seeing/hearing/playing a theatre organ?

**UFO** · 07-26-2012, 12:39 PM

My wife and I will be in Europe this time next week, and as part of the trip we will be spending a few days in Amsterdam. I have seen some vague references to some theatre organs in Amsterdam and have been trying to find decent websites and contact people. Can anyone here help?

We will be in Amsterdam from 15 to 19 August, and later some other areas of the Netherlands to the east of Amsterdam. I would like to meet other TPO enthusiasts and share knowledge and experience about our theatre pipe organs.

**douçaine** · 07-26-2012, 09:00 PM

Hi UFO. The best theatre organ in Amsterdam is in the City Theater, but if I remember correctly, around when you will be there, they will be deep in rehearsals for end-of-summer productions. They have recitals very infrequently as it is. The theater doesn't list an email address on their newsletter, but you could call the offices at +31 (0)20 523 77 00 (they're pretty friendly), and they could refer you to someone in charge of the organ (I haven't tried myself). The Pathé Tuschinski has a Wurlitzer, which has stood the test of time pretty well, but they run movies pretty much continuously (it's an active movie theater). If you get a chance, though, you should see a movie there; absolutely gorgeous building. The most high profile recitals during the summer are at the Oude Kerk, which has a fantastic organ, albeit very baroque. I'm not as familiar with the organs outside of Amsterdam, but there's a little Compton in Middleburg, Holland, with a nice big sound, which is getting old, but not too cranky. I can't find any contact info, though.
Best of luck.