[rodgersorgan] [Fwd: Ruffatti and Rodgers]

  • From: Glen Kersten <glen.kersten@xxxxxxxxxxx>
  • To: Carlo Pietroniro <organist@xxxxxxxxx>
  • Date: Mon, 04 Nov 2002 03:20:43 -0800

A copy of my message to Noel Jones.

Glen

-------- Original Message --------
Subject: Ruffatti and Rodgers
Date: Mon, 04 Nov 2002 02:11:36 -0800
From: Glen Kersten <glen.kersten@xxxxxxxxxxx>
To: zimbelstern@xxxxxxxxxxx
CC: Wayne Ashabraner <organsolutions@xxxxxxx>



Dear Noel,

Yes, Coral Ridge did replace the Ruffatti console with a new Rodgers 
console. I first broached the subject with Diane during a lunch with her 
in 1986, and met with her several times to cement her decision to go 
that way. During our initial meeting at lunch, at one of her favorite 
restaurants in Fort Lauderdale, I showed her a photo of the Second 
Baptist, Houston console which Rodgers was just finishing at that time. 
I think it was "love at first sight" when she saw the photo and the 
stoplist. "32's on the Great Manual"? she said. "I love it"!

They then contracted directly with Rodgers to build and install the new 
five manual console.

I could bore you with many stories of my seeing her at many of her 
concerts, including several that I sponsored in the Seattle area during 
the 1970's and 1980's. In one instance. Diane asked my wife to keep her 
diamond ring so it would not fall off during her performance. My wife 
said it was the "most beautiful diamond ring" she had ever seen! She 
cherishes that moment ever since.

One time, Diane graciously made lunch for her and me at her home in Fort 
Lauderdale, just prior to her playing a benefit concert at Hollywood 
United Methodist Church, because there was not enough time to stop at a 
restaurant after having played the Service at Coral Ridge the same day. 
What a lady! During that lunch, she expressed her dream to own a Rodgers 
in her home some day. A devoted fan purshased the 940 for her when she 
moved to Bloomington.

I have many fond memories, starting with my first meeting Diane when she 
asked me to revoice the Rodgers Extended 990 that Rodgers had loaned to 
Coral Ridge during the early 1970's while awaiting the arrival of the 
Ruffatti that had been ordered. She was surprised at the amount of 
voicing that could be achieved in those early  days when most 
electronics had very limited tonal flexibility.

We are all dismayed to learn about her fire losses What a shock! We pray 
that she will be restored to her usual exhuberant self soon. I'm sure 
she will.

Best regards,

Glen Kersten
Organ Consultant
Ferndale, Washington






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