Riviera Wurlitzer
Occasionally the organ might be the one factor that rescues a theatre from the wrecking ball! Such is the case with the jewel of North Tonawanda. From its opening on December 30, 1926, Wurlitzer Opus 1524 was prominently featured. Over the years theatre organ minded people played a significant role in the continued existence of the building. Due to its closeness to the Wurlitzer factory the organ received extra attention and was often used by the company to demonstrate a medium-sized organ in a mid-size theatre to prospective customers.
With its unique console featuring painted murals, done by an artist from Wurlitzer’s band organ division, Opus 1524 was originally a 3/11 style 235. During the 70s and 80s numerous questionable additions were made causing it to lose much of its signature sound. In 2010 Clark Wilson was engaged to help create a more cohesive sound with the components that had been added to the organ. What Clark did was to recommend removing several ranks to create a more balanced sound. Damaged pipes were repaired. The Trumpet rank was replaced with a more appropriate sounding set and installed in the solo chamber. The original Oboe Horn rank was moved from the solo chamber to the main chamber to provide balance and contrast. Newly added percussions were moved from the orchestra pit to the stage. Along with tonal finishing, the ending sound of the 3/16 instrument is gorgeous in the theatre.
Wurlitzer Opus 1524 (1926)
3 manual/16 ranks
MAIN CHAMBER (Audience Left)
| 16’ Open Diapason | 85 pipes |
| 16’ Concert Flute | 97 pipes |
| 8’ Oboe Horn | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Clarinet | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Viol D’Orchestre | 85 pipes |
| 8’ Viol Celeste | 73 pipes |
| 8’ Concert Flute Cel (TC) | 49 pipes |
| Master Chrysoglott | 49 notes |
SOLO CHAMBER (Audience Right)
| 16’ Harmonic Tuba | 85 pipes |
| 8’ Solo String | 73 pipes |
| 8’ English Post Horn | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Trumpet | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Tibia Clausa | 73 pipes |
| 8’ Orchestral Oboe | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Kinura | 61 pipes |
| 8’ Vox Humana | 61 pipes |
| Master Xylophone | 37 notes |
| Master Glockenspiel | 37 notes |
| Tuned Sleigh Bells | 25 notes |
| Cathedral Chimes | 25 notes Drums, |
| Misc. Sound Effects | Percussions & Effects |