Rudolf von Beckerath
Encyclopedia
Rudolf von Beckerath was a German master organ builder
. He was born in Munich
, but grew up in Hamburg
, where his parents moved the year he was born. He initially pursued an interest in mechanical engineering
. After encountering the quality organ building in northern German instruments, particularly that of master builder Arp Schnitger
his interest shifted. He trained as a cabinet maker at the art school in Hamburg, while studying the fundamentals of organ building theory on his own. In the cellar of his parent's home, he built a small house-organ. This was heard in a radio transmission from the house and in concerts there.
His training continued in France, where he moved on the recommendation of Hans Henny Jahnn
. In Châtillon-sous-Bagneux, near Paris, he entered the workshop of Victor Gonzalez.
Churches with von Beckerath organs include St. Michael's Church (New York, New York).
Pipe organ
The pipe organ is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes selected via a keyboard. Because each organ pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass...
. He was born in Munich
Munich
Munich The city's motto is "" . Before 2006, it was "Weltstadt mit Herz" . Its native name, , is derived from the Old High German Munichen, meaning "by the monks' place". The city's name derives from the monks of the Benedictine order who founded the city; hence the monk depicted on the city's coat...
, but grew up in Hamburg
Hamburg
-History:The first historic name for the city was, according to Claudius Ptolemy's reports, Treva.But the city takes its modern name, Hamburg, from the first permanent building on the site, a castle whose construction was ordered by the Emperor Charlemagne in AD 808...
, where his parents moved the year he was born. He initially pursued an interest in mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering
Mechanical engineering is a discipline of engineering that applies the principles of physics and materials science for analysis, design, manufacturing, and maintenance of mechanical systems. It is the branch of engineering that involves the production and usage of heat and mechanical power for the...
. After encountering the quality organ building in northern German instruments, particularly that of master builder Arp Schnitger
Arp Schnitger
Arp Schnitger was a highly influential German organ builder. He was primarily active in Northern Europe, especially the Netherlands and Germany, where a number of his instruments survive to the present day; his organs can also be found as far away as Portugal and Brazil.Notable examples still in...
his interest shifted. He trained as a cabinet maker at the art school in Hamburg, while studying the fundamentals of organ building theory on his own. In the cellar of his parent's home, he built a small house-organ. This was heard in a radio transmission from the house and in concerts there.
His training continued in France, where he moved on the recommendation of Hans Henny Jahnn
Hans Henny Jahnn
Hans Henny Jahnn was a German playwright, novelist, and organ-builder.As a playwright, he wrote: Pastor Ephraim Magnus , which The Cambridge Guide to Theatre describes as a nihilistic, Expressionist play "stuffed with perversities and sado-masochistic motifs"; Coronation of Richard III ;...
. In Châtillon-sous-Bagneux, near Paris, he entered the workshop of Victor Gonzalez.
Churches with von Beckerath organs include St. Michael's Church (New York, New York).