The Secret Life of an Organ Builder

Alan Pell the well known organ builder from Whaplode Drove is also a keen film maker and editor. The DVD that he has recently completed shows life at his workshop and gives a humorous look at what it takes to make the various components of his fine organs.

To make a one hour DVD that maintains the attention of an audience throughout is something of an achievement in itself. Throughout the film there are minor excursions to add interest: Alan is seen riding his bike to work; a steam roller takes water out in the street; a pheasant is seen out of the window; we are told of a mouse that crawled up a trouser leg and there is a trip to the Great Dorset Steam Fair with the company sales stand.

We are shown how great attention is given to measuring, cutting, planing, routing and gluing organ cases and pipework, how bellows are made, how spraying is carried out and the organ fronts decorated. Health and safety are very important and Alan tells us of his father’s unfortunate accident with an electric planing machine.

Being only a small concern of only four staff the workshop has a happy atmosphere and all four workers really seemed to enjoy taking part in the filming which was mainly done by Alan who also features as the main character and narrator. Each person’s skills are shown and they in turn explain what they are doing. The good thing is that they talk in everyday language and don’t get too technical – after all most people who buy or who are interested in mechanical instruments don’t know how many inches of air pressure are required to make the pipes sound or understand the computer system that operates these instruments.

I found the section on making the pipes very interesting. From a large plank of wood we can see how the sweet sounding pipes are manufactured and Alan explains how the correct pitch is arrived at. Even if you prefer the much larger show organs you will still appreciate how the characteristic sounds of violin and bourdon pipes are achieved.

The film is interspersed with mechanical music and other music to add to the enjoyment, is well planned, well paced and most professional in its presentation. The DVD should appeal to a wide audience and with the two ladies involved in the organ production, the film will find favour with both male and female viewers. One thing that was apparent from watching the film was that neither Alan or his female assistant could get the office computer going properly – so it seems that even a genius like Alan has his limitations!

The Secret Life of an Organ Builder is available from Alan Pell Music, Whaplode Drove, Spalding Lincolnshire. PE12 0TN. The cost of the DVD is £9-99 which includes postage.