Coen Alta, the founder of the The Haarlem Organ Museum, The Kunkels Organ Foundation has died at the age of 91.
There is a news item on the Museum website in Dutch (this link bypasses the website formatting, so the news item may overlap the background unless you adjust your browser width):
http://www.draaiorgelmuseum.org/nieuw/l ... s/main.htmA Google Translate yields the following (some additional interpretation is required!):
Coen Alta is from his earliest youth been interested in music, carnival and especially the organ. Even before the 2nd World War, he walked behind the organs to which the Haarlem streets were heard the latest hits. The carnival with its large concert organs had his full attention. He was very interested in everything to do with old trams.
In the 2nd half of the '50s came the Haarlem organ Jupiter enrich city life. Coen became overly interested and quickly rolled the first by him arranged organ book by the keyboard of the organ. n 1958, the Kunkelsorgel adopted by a cabal of organ enthusiasts.
Coen was a board member of the Haarlem branch of the Circle of Draaiorgelvrienden from the start trying to organize events that made it possible that additional funding could be acquired for the cost of the restoration of this gigantic organ cover. When the restoration was completed, the organ was written in too small pakhuisje Vineyard in Long Street.
On 28 March 1962 the Foundation City Haarlem Organ "The Kunkelsorgel 'established to promote the organ and to find a suitable place. Naturally, Coen was immediately as treasurer on the board of the foundation included.
This function has to he held several years ago with verve. The work of the foundation in 1969 led to the creation of the Haarlem Organ Museum, which then was located in the Werfstraat.
Since that time, we know Coen as a passionate lover, collaborator and organizer, but as a good friend.
Meanwhile, he and his wife Mies a gramophone shop opened on the ground floor of his house. This has over the years become a household name in Haarlem. The somewhat older Coen and his wife were for many teens a reference point for those looking for something on the field of music and almost always they knew the demand.
On his free Mondays Coen toured for years and Haarlem North Spaarndam, the Puntkap of Perlee and then many years with the Pluer of Rosita. For this organ, he also made many beautiful arrangements.
Even if organizers had Coen unprecedented talents. So he started the major organ manifestation for many years on the 2nd day of Pentecost at the Haarlem strongholds held and which still persists in a new form as "Haarlem Runs Through!"
Glad we were also many services rendered him for a knighthood in 2003, was pinned by Mayor Pop. He and his wife were so active that, when they were married 60 years, a stunning arsenal organs spontaneously to the Grand Place came to give a concert to mark the occasion.
After that, unfortunately, less well with Coen. On Tuesday, March 6, he is the blessed age of 91 years deceased.
We thank Coen for the incredible amount of work he has done the Haarlem Organ Museum, all with the full support of his wife. We will miss him and remember him as a dedicated, quiet and friendly man, much to the organ world has done.
