Francesco Ruffatti's fingers effortlessly glided across the keys and the organ's sound boomed from above. A smile crept across the Italian man's face as he achieved the sound he searched for in the Johns Creek Baptist Church sanctuary.And then he moves on, searching for just the right sound to fit the acoustics of the church."Voicing the organ is a work of diplomacy," said Ruffatti as he peered up at the organ. "Everything has to agree in terms of sound. No sound can contradict another."This has been the work routine for Ruffatti since the 5,696-pipe organ was delivered from Padua, Italy, 12 to 14 hours every day to prepare for the Oct. 21 dedicatory concert when world renowned organist Joyce Jones plays in what is expected to be a packed house at 6 p.m.The organ itself is an exquisite blend of old and new, blending classic craftsmanship and cutting edge technology.Ruffatti and his brother, Piero, operate the Fratelli Ruffatti pipe organ factory in Italy, workplace of 30 employees. They expertly construct the organs from scratch, utilizing techniques perfected since the 1500s.All wood used in the construction is aged five years before it is used.
Glenn Crosthwait, the Johns Creek Baptist Church minister of music, stands in a sea of pipes that comprise a portion of the Fratelli Ruffatti Pipe Organ in the new sanctuary. The dedicatory concert is scheduled for Oct. 21. "It's the old way, but it's the best way," said Ruffatti. "Some of these techniques have been used since the 1500s."The Oct. 21 concert will mark the end of a long journey since the decision was made in August 2004 to purchase an organ.Glenn Crosthwait, the church's minister or music, said they had signed the contract for the organ before the building was completed."So we had the organ before we had the building," Crosthwait said.Crosthwait said very few members of the congregation have actually heard the organ.
"The congregation has seen it go up," he said, "but the console has not been open during a service. I believe the church is awaiting this with great anticipation."The organ arrived from Italy in massive shipping containers and was spread out in the church gymnasium. The pipes range in size from the largest at 22-feet to the smallest that is smaller than a pencil.Crosthwait said seeing the boxes in the gymnasium was the easiest time for him."It's hardest for me now," he said as he looked at the organ. "When it was in the gym that was fine, but it's tough to wait now."Church member Glen Sloan, who will also get the chance to play the new organ, said this type of organ is rare."I don't think there has been one placed in Atlanta since the 1980s," he said. "It's not the largest organ, but I believe it would be in the top four largest in the United States."Sloan said the difference between a pipe and electronic organ is the "feel.""You really can get a sense of the sound with a pipe organ," he said.
The congregation will soon get a chance to "feel" the sound of a pipe organ when Jones performs in the dedicatory concert."We are so pleased that Dr. Jones accepted our invitation to play the dedicatory recital," Crosthwait said. "From the early planning of the new sanctuary and organ until now, it has been our desire that this landmark instrument be used for the praise and glory of God."Senior Pastor William Self said he wanted the new sanctuary to be equipped with an "outstanding pipe organ.""I believe that the pipe organ continues to play a prominent role in vital, relevant, and inspiring worship for today's mainline churches," he said. "Johns Creek Baptist is indeed fortunate to have three gifted organists as members of our music ministry team. I believe that great musicians need extraordinary instruments to deliver inspiring worship leadership, and with the inauguration of the Fratelli Ruffatti organ at Johns Creek Baptist Church, our worship services promise to bring new levels of awe and inspiration in our worship of God."
Labels: Baptist, Church, Johns Creek
# posted by
Brian Vanderhoff @ 2:11 PM
