Dan
Jaeckel, President
The pipe organ has a long and noble history, dating back to antiquity.
Ancient Romans and Greeks used it to heighten emotion at festivals, games and
religious ceremonies. Byzantine and Arabic organs, highly valued at court,
were elaborately decorated and sometimes made entirely of gold. Not
surprisingly, this elegant and most complex of instruments was a favorite gift
of kings throughout history.
The pinnacle of organ craftsmanship, the "golden age" of organ
building and organ music, was reached in Europe between 1600 and 1750.
Three centuries later, the legacy of these fine instruments continues to elevate
the spirit, whether in church or in the concert hall.
Fortunately,
a renaissance in organ building is happening today, thanks to a handful of
master craftsmen in Europe and America. One such craftsman, Dan Jaeckel,
whose shop is located in Duluth, Minnesota, is considered one of the most
respected organ builders in the world.
Distinguishing Jaeckel even more from other organ builders are the remarkable
musical and technological talents he brings to his craft: Jaeckel is an
accomplished organist, composer and historian of liturgical music. He also
has a background in mathematics, engineering and architecture. His musical
knowledge and refined 'ear' enable him to coax the finest 'voice' and acoustical
sounds out of every instrument he builds, large or small.
Building
a Jaeckel organ involves hand-crafting most parts. Large organs will take
as long as three years to build. To date, Jaeckel, Inc. has produced 55 instruments of various sizes whose superior quality has earned him a reputation
as one of the most respected organ builders in America.
Each instrument is custom designed, aesthetically and tonally, to suit its
environment. "We believe in building the best organ for the
situation. An organ's voice is determined by the building's size, seating
capacity, acoustical qualities and the uses and expectations of the
instrument," says Dan Jaeckel. His professional integrity and choice
to use only the best materials available result in instruments that will last
indefinitely.
That is why, centuries hence,
Jaeckel will be remembered as one of the few craftsmen of the late twentieth and
twenty first centuries who brought about a second 'golden age' of organ
building.