Mechanical Organ Owners Society
in conjunction with Travel Editions LTD
MOOS TOUR 2024
The Low Countries have long been famous for their tradition of mechanical music in the form of self-playing mechanical organs that were used on the street, on fairgrounds and in cafes and dance halls. Today many collectors and experts in these countries ensure that these historic instruments are preserved and enjoyed. On this tour we visit some of the best of these collections, one of which is not open to the general public, visit the workshops of two leading organ builders and attend a special commemorative event.
Saturday 9 November 2024
We pick up at Stevenage, Ebbsfleet, Maidstone Services and Dover before joining a ferry for the short sea crossing to Calais. We stay overnight at our hotel in Antwerp with dinner on arrival. You are free for the rest of the evening to just relax or perhaps explore the historic City of Antwerp, once the centre of the Belgian Mechanical Organ industry, where you can find the Café Beveren, the very last of the traditional dockside café with a dance organ.
We pick up at Stevenage, Ebbsfleet, Maidstone Services and Dover before joining a ferry for the short sea crossing to Calais. We stay overnight at our hotel in Antwerp with dinner on arrival. You are free for the rest of the evening to just relax or perhaps explore the historic City of Antwerp, once the centre of the Belgian Mechanical Organ industry, where you can find the Café Beveren, the very last of the traditional dockside café with a dance organ.
Sunday 10 November 2024
We start the date by commemorating the life of the renowned organ builder
Theofil Mortier and mark the 80th anniversary of his death. In a special joint event with our Belgian sister society, MechaMusica, we will bring a Mortier organ to the graveside of Theofil Mortier in Merksem and hold a brief musical ceremony to mark the occasion, after which we will adjourn, to a nearby café for more festivities.
Next, we head to Deurne in the Netherlands to visit the newly established private organ collection of Hans Bekkers. Hans has assembled a fantastic array of instruments including organs by Gavioli, Mortier, Bursens and Decap together with a magnificent Welte concert organ. After a stay which should give plenty of time to listen and enjoy these instruments, we head north to the village of Kerkdriel. In Kerkdriel we will visit the workshop of Martin Conrads, one of the leading Dutch organ builders, who has undertaken much specialist work, notably for museums and collections where instruments of a particular historic value exist. We then head to our hotel in Haarlem for dinner and our overnight stay. The evening is free for relaxation and perhaps a visit to the hotel bar.
We start the date by commemorating the life of the renowned organ builder
Theofil Mortier and mark the 80th anniversary of his death. In a special joint event with our Belgian sister society, MechaMusica, we will bring a Mortier organ to the graveside of Theofil Mortier in Merksem and hold a brief musical ceremony to mark the occasion, after which we will adjourn, to a nearby café for more festivities.
Next, we head to Deurne in the Netherlands to visit the newly established private organ collection of Hans Bekkers. Hans has assembled a fantastic array of instruments including organs by Gavioli, Mortier, Bursens and Decap together with a magnificent Welte concert organ. After a stay which should give plenty of time to listen and enjoy these instruments, we head north to the village of Kerkdriel. In Kerkdriel we will visit the workshop of Martin Conrads, one of the leading Dutch organ builders, who has undertaken much specialist work, notably for museums and collections where instruments of a particular historic value exist. We then head to our hotel in Haarlem for dinner and our overnight stay. The evening is free for relaxation and perhaps a visit to the hotel bar.
Monday 11 November 2024
Today we enjoy an all day visit to the superb Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, arguably the greatest museum of its kind in the world. Here we will be surrounded by some great examples of organs and orchestrions from many major manufacturers, which are magnificently displayed, a star attraction being the recently restored Louis Hooghuys dance organ with its wonderful art-noveau façade. As the museum is closed to the public on a Monday and is being opened exclusively for our group, we will have free reign to hear all the instruments there playing at length and in many cases playing the music that you request.
Today we enjoy an all day visit to the superb Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, arguably the greatest museum of its kind in the world. Here we will be surrounded by some great examples of organs and orchestrions from many major manufacturers, which are magnificently displayed, a star attraction being the recently restored Louis Hooghuys dance organ with its wonderful art-noveau façade. As the museum is closed to the public on a Monday and is being opened exclusively for our group, we will have free reign to hear all the instruments there playing at length and in many cases playing the music that you request.
After an early dinner at our hotel in Haarlem, we then head for Haarlem Organ Museum, one of the longest established and best museums of its sort. Here we will enjoy music from a wide range of organs, the largest being the "Kunkels Organ" a giant Marenghi dance organ that was subsequently rebuilt by Carl Frei for fairground use when in the ownership of the Hommerson family. Another recently added attraction is “De Lekkerkerker”, one of the finest street organs built by Carl Frei, now expertly restored by Adrie Vergeer and in occasional use, until very recent times, in its home city of Gouda. We return to our hotel in Haarlem for our overnight stay. Please note that an admission charge of €8 per person is payable locally for entry to Haarlem Organ Museum.
Tuesday 12 November 2024
Today we head home, but stop off once in Belgium at the newly established workshop of Alberic Godderis in De Panne. After some years spent learning the skills of organ building at the Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, Alberic has now established he own business and is keen to welcome us for our first ever visit to his new premises. Already, he has much work underway and is at present working on a major project, restoring the great Gaudin dance organ that was the pride and joy of the late Jos Leclair.
We continue to Calais for our ferry crossing and set down at locations as on our outward journey.
Today we head home, but stop off once in Belgium at the newly established workshop of Alberic Godderis in De Panne. After some years spent learning the skills of organ building at the Museum Speelklok in Utrecht, Alberic has now established he own business and is keen to welcome us for our first ever visit to his new premises. Already, he has much work underway and is at present working on a major project, restoring the great Gaudin dance organ that was the pride and joy of the late Jos Leclair.
We continue to Calais for our ferry crossing and set down at locations as on our outward journey.
Where you stay
Radisson Blu Astrid, Antwerp
9 November 2024 - 1 night
Modern, four star hotel in an ideal central location near Astrid Square. The hotel, designed by architect Michael Graves, offers views of the area’s stunning 19th-century architecture. Comfortable bedrooms designed by architect Alex Kravetz with all modern amenities.
Van der Valk Hotel, Haarlem
10 November 2024 - 2 nights
Modern, four star hotel located on the edge of the charming Dutch city of Haarlem. Facilities at this contemporary hotel include bar, restaurant, sauna, steam room and comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities.
Radisson Blu Astrid, Antwerp
9 November 2024 - 1 night
Modern, four star hotel in an ideal central location near Astrid Square. The hotel, designed by architect Michael Graves, offers views of the area’s stunning 19th-century architecture. Comfortable bedrooms designed by architect Alex Kravetz with all modern amenities.
Van der Valk Hotel, Haarlem
10 November 2024 - 2 nights
Modern, four star hotel located on the edge of the charming Dutch city of Haarlem. Facilities at this contemporary hotel include bar, restaurant, sauna, steam room and comfortable bedrooms with all modern amenities.
Included in the price
- Return coach from Stevenage throughout the tour
- Return Dover to Calais ferry crossing
- Onenight accommodation at the four-star Radisson Blu Astrid, Antwerp on dinner, bed and breakfast basis, based on shared occupancy of twin/double room
- Two nights accommodation at the four-star Van Der Valk Hotel, Haarlem on dinner, bed and breakfast basis, based on shared occupancy of twin/double room
Not included
- Double for Sole Use supplement - £198
- Meals other than those stated
- Personal gratuities not specified
- Personal expenses e.g. meals (other than those indicated), drinks, laundry, telephone calls, etc.
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