Making Music: The history of the organ and piano industries in Erie, Pennsylvania - Paperback

by Paul E. Fischer (Author)

The City of Erie, Pennsylvania has a long history in the art of pipe organ and piano design and manufacturing. Beginning in the mid 1800's the Erie became a magnet for hundreds of immigrant craftsmen skilled in these fields and anxious to build a better life in the New World. Local businessmen quickly grasped what was transpiring and eagerly financed many of these people in setting up organ and piano factories realizing that this was a necessary albeit unusual manufacturing field in the developing New World. History has proven them to be visionaries. Since those early days and up to this very day, Erie has always been regarded as the epicenter if the pipe organ industry in North America. Although there are no longer any piano manufacturers in the City that industry too, played a large and important role in the growth of the City as well as on the world music scene. This book chronicles the history of each of those industries in Erie, their locations and the personalities and their families who were involved with each company. Readers will learn how an Erie organ company saved the world's original snack food 'Cracker Jack' from oblivion. Learn also, about several other prominent individuals whose highly successful careers in pipe organ industry were launched in Erie. With this profusely illustrated book one is able to tour around the City and identify many of the buildings that these proud industries once occupied, some with their engraved granite keystones still intact. Many of the beautiful instruments that were hand crafted in those early days are still functioning and serving in churches, synagogues, temples, universities and music venues around the world. Much of what the reader will find in this book has never before been documented. It is the author's hope that this effort will preclude this history from otherwise being lost to time.

Author Biography

Paul E. Fischer has lived his entire life in Erie, Pennsylvania literally surrounded by the pipe organ industry. Besides living very close to three organ factories from which the haunting sounds of the organ constantly emanated he had several family members actively engaged in the art form in one way or another. This piqued his interest in what kind of mechanical machine it was that was making all of these beautiful albeit strange sounds. Following the usual elementary and secondary schooling requirements he served an obligatory military duty mostly in Germany. There the great masterpiece organs in that country further stimulated his interest. Upon completion of his military obligation Fischer returned to Erie and to the entry-level job he had begun several years earlier at Tellers Organ Company. That job would last for 20 years and would include apprenticeship in most all departments in both the factory and the business. In the ensuing years Fischer gained considerable experience in the field with several other prominent organ builders and musicians such as Lawrence Phelps, Casavant Freres, Daniel Jaeckel, Virgil Fox, Karl Heinz Hofbauer and others. The mid-1970's saw a decline in the market for new organs and Fischer opted to start his own business in the field of historic pipe organ reconstruction. This business has done modestly well and is now operated by Paul Fischer's son Mark. With more leisure time in recent years it occurred to Paul Fischer that there had never been a comprehensive in-depth history written of the pipe organ and piano industries in Erie; thus this book. In their retirement years Fischer and his wife Nancy, spend as much time as possible traveling the world. Leading groups and planning custom travel itineraries for others has become a secondary passion for both of them. Their primary passion of course is their son Mark, daughter Carla, herself a world traveler and astute businesswoman, and their three grandchildren. "The transition from mechanic and business person to writer has been a daunting but rewarding task!"