John B. Loretz Residence

159 Adelphi Street
Brooklyn, N.Y. 11205



John B. Loretz was born in Mulhouse, Alsace Lorraine, in 1812. As a boy he was apprenticed to a carpenter by his father, who was a builder. By the age of 12, young John displayed a strong interest in music, a fact noted by the organist of the cathedral in Mulhouse, who took him as a pupil. John became the organist of the cathedral when he was 19, a position he held for thirteen years. During his tenure as cathedral organist, he composed several masses, including one in B flat that became well known in the U.S. Mr. Loretz became a professor in the Mulhouse University and during the revolution of 1848 was elected by the parish to be their Republican representative. As a strong and outspoken opponent of Louis XVIII, his espousal of the Republican forced him to leave the country with his family in 1849. He came to Brooklyn where he became active in musical societies, and was soon appointed organist of St. Stephen's Church in New York City. After leaving that church, he became organist at "Dr. Boddington's Church" (the Clinton Avenue Congregational Church) in Brooklyn. When Dr. Boddington died c.1881, Mr. Loretz resigned and confined his musical efforts to teaching. John Loretz was also a prolific painter of water color landscapes, many of which were exhibited in New York.

John Loretz and his wife had three sons: John M. Loretz, the organist and composer of the opera, "Pearl of Bagdad;" Albert Loretz, a merchant; and Arthur Loretz, the engineer who built the engine for the Brooklyn Water Works. John Loretz died at his home on May 12, 1887, at the age of 75. It was his dying wish that he should be "buried in flowers," of which he was very fond, and that desire was fulfilled.
               
Reuben Midmer
Brooklyn, N.Y. (1871)
Mechanical action
2 manuals, 12 stops, 12 ranks


An account book from Reuben Midmer shows that the organ for John B. Loretz cost $2000, and was "finished Sep. 27, 1871." This organ was described in the Brooklyn Eagle (Apr. 18, 1874):


ANOTHER COSTLY PARLOR ORGAN


Mr. John B. Loretz, Sr., the well-known veteran organist, having retired from active service in the church, is now in possession of a magnificent organ, large enough for any church of medium size. It was built by Mr. Midmer, of this city, under the supervision of the Professor. It is an instrument of wonderful power and sweetness. The case is of black walnut, severe and chaste, with arch and side wings, containing the open diapason which are gilded beautifully, those in the wings reaching almost from floor to ceiling.
     In order to give an idea of this instrument, see the specification. Two manuals, 58 notes; swell and great pedals; two octaves; swell organ, stopt diapason, treble, 46; stopt diapason, bass, 12; viole di gambe, 58; harmonic flute, 58; oboe, 46; bassoon, 12; tremolo. Great organ, open diapason, (full) 58; melodia, 58; stopt diapason bass, 12; dolce, 58; principal, 58; fifteenth, 58; trumpet, (8 foot), 58.
     Pedal organ, 8 foot, violoncello, 16 foot bourdon.
     Mechanical stops, swell and great, pedals and swell, pedals and great, piano, great, forte, great.
     The organ is blown by a hydraulic engine, manufactured by Mr. Arthur Loretz.
     The cost of this instrument was $3,000.
               
Great Organ – 58 notes
8
  Open Diapason
58
4
   Principal
58
8
  Melodia [TC]
46
2
   Fifteenth
58
8
   Stopt Diapason, Bass
12
8
   Trumpet
58
8
   Dolce
58
        
               
Swell Organ – 58 notes, enclosed
8
  Stopt Diapason, Treble [TC]
46
8
   Bassoon
12
8
   Stopt Diapason, Bass
12
8
   Oboe [TC]
46
8
  Viole di Gambe
58
     Tremolo  
4
   Harmonic Flute
58
        
               
Pedal Organ – 25 notes?
16
   Bourdon
25?
        
8
   Violoncello
25?
        
               
Mechanicals
    Swell and Great       Great Piano  
    Pedals and Swell       Great Forte  
    Pedals and Great       [Swell Pedal]  
               
Sources:
     "Another Costly Parlor Organ," Brooklyn Eagle (Apr. 18, 1874) 4.
     "Loretz, the Organist, Dead," Brooklyn Eagle (May 12, 1887) 6.
     Robinson, Albert F., ed. The Bicentennial Tracker: In Commemoration of the Bicentennial of the United States of America, 1776-1976, and the Twentieth Anniversary of The Organ Historical Society, 1956-1976. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1976.