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MMD > Archives > July 1998 > 1998.07.19 > 02Prev  Next


Dutch Street Organ "De Duif"
By Jan Kijlstra

I must apologize for not responding earlier to Doug Mauldin.  Sorry
for that, but at least I can give him some new facts now.  Doug asked for
more information on a Dutch street organ, called "De Duif" (The Dove).

I forwarded this question to Hans van Oost, since he, being the
secretary of the "Kring van Draaiorgelvrienden", by far has more
knowledge about mechanical organs, and also has best access to the
KDV (and related) archives.

Hans van Oost was indeed capable of telling us a lot about the
instrument.  (See his MMD article January 27, 1998).  He wrote that the
organ was sold to "a man in Groningen."  Groningen is a city in the
north of the Netherlands.  And has always been an "organ-city".

Later Hans was able to give the name of this owner.  Using my
electronic telephone guide I was able to list all the people with this
name.  There were ten entries, with four in the same street.  In older
cities it is common that members of a family try to stick together, if
possible, by living in the same neighbourhood, or, even better, in the
same street.

So it was not difficult to trace the owner.  Just dial any number
of these four, and if not scoring at once, you will be informed
immediately about the right number.  I did dial, and was told:
"That's my nephew".

So I did telephone this nephew , but he was not at home.  His son,
however, was able to tell me something more.  "De Duif" is still
playing in Groningen, he told me.

They just finished building a second organ, called "Het Zwaantje"
(The little Swan).  I do not know if this is a completely new organ,
or a rebuild using old parts.  They now are working on the restoration
of an organ called "De Zwerver" (The Tramp, or maybe better: the
Wanderer).  So this family is keeping the street organ tradition at
Groningen alive and kicking !

"De Duif" is named in "Glorieuze Orgeldagen" by Frans Wieffering.
"Het Zwaantje" is not in my books, of course.  Nor is "De Zwerver".
Maybe Hans van Oost can give some additional info?

Jan Kijlstra


(Message sent Sun 19 Jul 1998, 10:42:00 GMT, from time zone GMT+0200.)

Key Words in Subject:  De, Duif, Dutch, Organ, Street

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