Most people associate the Wurlitzer Theater Organ with silent movie houses. And if anyone has heard the instrument, that's probably where it was — accompanying a silent movie.
But if you talk to performers who play the Wuritzer, you soon find out it's an instrument capable of much more than just providing background music to a Buster Keaton film.
And hearing Blaine Gale talk about it, the Wurlitzer belongs right up there with grand pianos and the instruments of the orchestra. In Gale's opinion, the Wurlitzer has been neglected for too long. To paraphrase Rodney Dangerfield, "It doesn't get no respect."
Gale, who teaches the Wurlitzer and is the resident organist at the Organ Loft in Salt Lake City, is ready to change people's perceptions about the instrument.
To that end he has organized a concert Saturday at Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden that he hopes will shed some new light on the Wurlitzer.
The concert features organist Chris Gorsuch and pianist R. Jelani Eddington in Eddington's arrangement of Edvard Grieg's Piano Concerto in A minor. In this version, Gorsuch plays the orchestral part on the theater's Wurlitzer.
"I loved that concerto as a kid," Gale told the Deseret News. And when he heard Eddington's recording of the work, in which he plays both parts, Gale invited him to come to Utah.
"Jelani inaugurated the organ in Peery three or four years ago," Gale said, "so I called him to see if he would come here to play the Grieg concerto."
Originally, Gale had discussed the same project with Mormon Tabernacle Choir organist Richard Elliott. "He was interested in it, but in the meantime Richard was made the (Tabernacle Choir's) chief organist and he had to back out because of his workload."
Eddington then suggested Gorsuch. "He and Chris do this kind of concert around the country," Gale said, "and Chris is also familiar with the organ in Ogden."
Gale is thrilled that Eddington will perform. "He always makes well-known pieces sound fresh and new. And I'm also looking forward to seeing how Chris will play."
Hopefully, this will be the first of many concerts of this kind in Utah, Gale said. "This is a unique experience. We can bridge the classics and draw attention to the organ."
He is already making plans for another concert. "Jelani has also done Rachmaninoff's Second Piano Concerto for theater organ, and Richard and I have talked about doing that one."
Gale is passionate about the Wurlitzer and about bringing it into the world of classical music. "It's time that we focus in on the classics. We always associate the Wurlitzer with silents and the pipe organ with classical music. But it's concerts like this one that will show people how we can cross barriers."
If you go
What: R. Jelani Eddington, piano, Chris Gorsuch, organ
Where: Peery's Egyptian Theater, 2415 Washington Blvd., Ogden
When: Feb. 7, 7:30 p.m.
How much: $10
Phone: 801-395-3227
Web: peerysegyptiantheater.com
E-mail: ereichel@desnews.com