Fritz Noack, Organbuilder
Immediate past president of the ISO

Synopsis

It is 60 years since Fritz Noack decided to spend his life building pipe organs. He began by saying that, although all pleasant music is welcome, we should not diminish the pipe organ. Electronic organs have now improved so much that it is up to us to build only very high quality pipe organs. The pipe organ will go on and on! We cannot expect the orders for new work just to drop into our workshop; we needs must advertise widely and ask ISO to help with this as well. As for existing organs, it is our responsibility to restore organs, whether they be 20 or 200 years old. Consultants are sometimes well skilled and useful but, unfortunately, sometimes very arrogant. But we need to find a way of enabling pleasant cooperation with consultants. Fifty years ago, organ firms were clearly structured with a boss at the top; today their internal organisation is more horizontal and transparent. The goals of the ISO founders are also valid today. He recommended that everyone should read Gerard Pels' excellent article.

He was pleased that Gerhard Grenzing had been elected ISO president and primum inter pares. ISO congresses have always been extraordinarily inspiring. Workshops have been very useful for sharing experience and knowledge. ISO produces a series of splendid publications. ISO is alive and shows that also large personalities can work together.