about me

I first became aware of mechanical keyless organs after seeing a few while living for short periods in Germany, the UK and Ireland.  Though not common, it is still possible to spot one of these mechanical street Organ Grinders in the old city squares in Europe (less common I believe in US).  I began reading about  the history of the instruments and the organ grinders who played them and found their history fascinating.  After researching a bit, I found an organ builder in Austria and commissioned a small 20 note busker organ so that I might share this tradition with others!  I hope you find it as interesting as I do!

Organ hand built by Christian Wittmann Orgelbau:  Christian Wittmann Orgelbau was founded in 2009 and specializes in the manufacture and restoration of mechanical organs.  The particular organ I commissioned is dual format, thus it plays both traditional paper roll music as well as having a MIDI controller which can hold many more songs.  The wood is African Padauk. Some pictures of its construction below.