Hey, Everybody--I understand that several of the members of the VCCC are also interested in Pipe Organs, also several of us are Organists, including myself. I live in the Texas Panhandle, near Amarillo, and have the privelege of playing the Pipe Organ at a church in Lubbock, TX, once a month. If you have any pictures of Pipe Organs, or stories of Pipe Organs, Feel free to Post them here! I would like to hear from you!
Pipe Organs
- Thread starter tommy
- Start date
toggleswitch
Well-known member
WELCOME NATHAN!
If you have any pictures of Pipe Organs, or stories of Pipe Organs, Feel free to Post them here!
I respectfully pass on this fine opportunity.
This post has been rated *G*.
If you have any pictures of Pipe Organs, or stories of Pipe Organs, Feel free to Post them here!
I respectfully pass on this fine opportunity.
This post has been rated *G*.
FUNNY CHURCH ORGAN STORY
HI
This his was told to me by a lady in her 90. At our old church now torn down. Up till 1923 the organ was hand pumped by two people operating the bilows in the basement.
There was a door bell type button up at the organ that buzzed downstairs when it was time to start pumping. The church payed teenagers to pump the bilows. One Sunday the teenagers were fooling around and didn,t hear the buzzer.
When the organist started to play no sound!!! I wonder if this lady was one of the teenagers fooling around!!!!!!!
View attachment 8-2-2006-07-39-39--kenmore62.jpg
HI
This his was told to me by a lady in her 90. At our old church now torn down. Up till 1923 the organ was hand pumped by two people operating the bilows in the basement.
There was a door bell type button up at the organ that buzzed downstairs when it was time to start pumping. The church payed teenagers to pump the bilows. One Sunday the teenagers were fooling around and didn,t hear the buzzer.
When the organist started to play no sound!!! I wonder if this lady was one of the teenagers fooling around!!!!!!!
View attachment 8-2-2006-07-39-39--kenmore62.jpg
perc-o-prince
Well-known member
This post has been rated *G*.
I think that the innuendo just changed it to rated R!!! LMAO
Rich
I think that the innuendo just changed it to rated R!!! LMAO
Rich
My home church is Trinity Episcopal Cathedral in Little Rock Arkansas. A few years ago the old organ had a collapse that pretty much destroyed it.
This started a 10 million dollar restoration which included a huge beautiful new pipe organ.
No matter which church I go to, Trinity will always be home.
http://www.trinitycathedral-lr.org/
This started a 10 million dollar restoration which included a huge beautiful new pipe organ.
No matter which church I go to, Trinity will always be home.
http://www.trinitycathedral-lr.org/
toggleswitch
Well-known member
Italian suppositories?
Innuendo? Where? Where? LOL
Innuendo? Where? Where? LOL
hoover1060
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Valparaiso University, Valparaiso Indiana
this one has always been one of my favorites, and one of the most visually beautiful organs I have ever seen!
this one has always been one of my favorites, and one of the most visually beautiful organs I have ever seen!
hoover1060
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I helped carry this one off the trucks
Rieger-Kloss opus 3697 IV/65 1997
Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle Illinois
Rieger-Kloss opus 3697 IV/65 1997
Trinity Lutheran Church, Roselle Illinois
jasonl
New member
Teenagers
They were pumping the organ in the basement.
They were pumping the organ in the basement.
toggleswitch
Well-known member
..and all kidding aside.
That really is a beautiful musical instrument.
That really is a beautiful musical instrument.
Notre Dame de Paris
The most splendid organ I have ever heard is in the Cathederal of Notre Dame, Paris...one of the oldest and most revered Gothic Cathederals in the world, to hear it makes your hair stand on end...
10 yrs ago, having never been ill in my life I found myself with a terminal Lymphoma Diagnosis, I was told to wrap up my life and could expect 3 months max ...For a birthday surprise my partner managed to whisk me to the airport after packing my bags, ( not a mean feat me being a Virgo, he was doing some marketing for major airline, so dropping some stuff off for them before going to see my family seemed an okay explaination)
The next thing I knew I was boarding the flight for Paris,wonderfull 4 days etc...Me being from a large RC musical family, one of my life goals was to visit the Notre Dame Cathederal for an organ recital, If I could`nt attend a recital I would have taken my walkman and a tape of a Brass Band piece we used to play called "Suite Gotheque"" about the Ghosts of the Nuns who are said to haunt the Cathederal and float through the cloisters...
In a series of events that year, I found myself walking up to the great Cathederal only to find it "Closed For Lunch" if ever I questioned God and my existence it was then...I felt it was the biggest slap in the face. I could have, and almost did give up with despair there and then...my partner was more optimistic(heaven know how & why in the face of all this adversity) I hobbled next door to the Pompido arts centre and later arrived back at this great Cathederal Door to enter, quietness ensued, no organ recital ...nothing but people milling...AND, I didnt even have my walkman,
I sat and prayed some time, so upset at what had happened and the fact I was about to shuffle this mortal coil soon, and no walkman...Just at the point of leaving,I heard a deep rumble , gentle humming in the pit of my stomach....getting louder & louder....Yes, it was the wind rustling through the sheep-skin bellows ready to bring this magnifcent musical instrument to life...
And so began an organ recital...That was truly the turning point for me , listening to this revered instrument in such a stunning setting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris#The_Organ
The most splendid organ I have ever heard is in the Cathederal of Notre Dame, Paris...one of the oldest and most revered Gothic Cathederals in the world, to hear it makes your hair stand on end...
10 yrs ago, having never been ill in my life I found myself with a terminal Lymphoma Diagnosis, I was told to wrap up my life and could expect 3 months max ...For a birthday surprise my partner managed to whisk me to the airport after packing my bags, ( not a mean feat me being a Virgo, he was doing some marketing for major airline, so dropping some stuff off for them before going to see my family seemed an okay explaination)
The next thing I knew I was boarding the flight for Paris,wonderfull 4 days etc...Me being from a large RC musical family, one of my life goals was to visit the Notre Dame Cathederal for an organ recital, If I could`nt attend a recital I would have taken my walkman and a tape of a Brass Band piece we used to play called "Suite Gotheque"" about the Ghosts of the Nuns who are said to haunt the Cathederal and float through the cloisters...
In a series of events that year, I found myself walking up to the great Cathederal only to find it "Closed For Lunch" if ever I questioned God and my existence it was then...I felt it was the biggest slap in the face. I could have, and almost did give up with despair there and then...my partner was more optimistic(heaven know how & why in the face of all this adversity) I hobbled next door to the Pompido arts centre and later arrived back at this great Cathederal Door to enter, quietness ensued, no organ recital ...nothing but people milling...AND, I didnt even have my walkman,
I sat and prayed some time, so upset at what had happened and the fact I was about to shuffle this mortal coil soon, and no walkman...Just at the point of leaving,I heard a deep rumble , gentle humming in the pit of my stomach....getting louder & louder....Yes, it was the wind rustling through the sheep-skin bellows ready to bring this magnifcent musical instrument to life...
And so began an organ recital...That was truly the turning point for me , listening to this revered instrument in such a stunning setting.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Notre_Dame_de_Paris#The_Organ
jasonl
New member
Nothing like the power of a real pipe organ. Puts the fear of God into you. Of course, the rock band at our church does that LOL.
I have always wondered, being more familiar with theater organs, how the volume of a pipe organ with exposed pipes is regulated. On a Wurlitzer theater organ, there are shutters in front the organ loft that open and close in varying degrees depending on how far the organist tilts the swell pedal. I've seen church organs with swell pedals on them. Do they just regulate the amount of wind entering the chamber?
hoover1060
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 9, 2005
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- 3,309
expression..
Most church organs will have at least one enclosed division with the shutters, usually the swell.
Volume on any pipe organ is made by adding or removing stops, not changing blower speed or amount of wind. The pipes are all voiced on certain wind pressures, and changing the pressure will chnage not only the pitch, but the timbre of a stop as well.
Chester Mike: Notre Dame's organ has a very interesting history, and has had a reputation for being a troublesome beast! Contrast that with Cavaille-Coll's instrument in Saint Sulpice which has remained pretty much unaltered since its installation in 1862!
Most church organs will have at least one enclosed division with the shutters, usually the swell.
Volume on any pipe organ is made by adding or removing stops, not changing blower speed or amount of wind. The pipes are all voiced on certain wind pressures, and changing the pressure will chnage not only the pitch, but the timbre of a stop as well.
Chester Mike: Notre Dame's organ has a very interesting history, and has had a reputation for being a troublesome beast! Contrast that with Cavaille-Coll's instrument in Saint Sulpice which has remained pretty much unaltered since its installation in 1862!
hoover1060
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Another beauty
St Bavo in Haarlem Holland...built in 1737 both Mozart and Handel have played this instrument...
stunning!
St Bavo in Haarlem Holland...built in 1737 both Mozart and Handel have played this instrument...
stunning!
Jeff,
You certainly found one of the famous Dutch organs!
Overhere in the northern part of the Netherlands and also across the border in northern Germany there are a lot of older organs. Lots of villages with a church and in every church an organ. Here are a few more of the famous organs in Germany and Holland. The one at the top is one of the organs in the city where I live.
http://www.orgel.com/vlm/gn-e.html
You certainly found one of the famous Dutch organs!
Overhere in the northern part of the Netherlands and also across the border in northern Germany there are a lot of older organs. Lots of villages with a church and in every church an organ. Here are a few more of the famous organs in Germany and Holland. The one at the top is one of the organs in the city where I live.
http://www.orgel.com/vlm/gn-e.html
Church Pipe Organ Pictures
Wow, I would love to play all those Church Pipe Organs! They are sure beautiful, Thanks everybody for posting such lovely pictures! The next time I'm in Lubbock I'll try to take some pictures of the Pipe Organ there. From what I was told, as far as value of it, I was told it would be worth $150,000-$200,000.00. It is an "Otto-Hoffman", an early to middle 1900's model, I'm thinking more towards a 1950's model. Anyway--I have enjoyed playing it once a month--the church members told me that there is nobody else that has ever played it. I've been going to the Lubbock Church now for a little over 2 years, and, although the organ is a relatively small organ it really can put out big sound!
Wow, I would love to play all those Church Pipe Organs! They are sure beautiful, Thanks everybody for posting such lovely pictures! The next time I'm in Lubbock I'll try to take some pictures of the Pipe Organ there. From what I was told, as far as value of it, I was told it would be worth $150,000-$200,000.00. It is an "Otto-Hoffman", an early to middle 1900's model, I'm thinking more towards a 1950's model. Anyway--I have enjoyed playing it once a month--the church members told me that there is nobody else that has ever played it. I've been going to the Lubbock Church now for a little over 2 years, and, although the organ is a relatively small organ it really can put out big sound!
Cavaille-Colle Organ Parr Hall...
Hi Jeff
Very fortunate to have Cavaille organ nearby at a local town hall, about 30 mins away, I`ve played at many a Brass Band contest there and the recitals are a worthy listen.
If you ever get over here I`ll book you the tour...
Cheers, Mike
http://www.pyramid.org.uk/about/organ/default.asp
Hi Jeff
Very fortunate to have Cavaille organ nearby at a local town hall, about 30 mins away, I`ve played at many a Brass Band contest there and the recitals are a worthy listen.
If you ever get over here I`ll book you the tour...
Cheers, Mike
http://www.pyramid.org.uk/about/organ/default.asp
Also
40 mins from Warrington, Liverpool Cathederal`s spectacular, the largest in the UK and probably the world...
http://www.livcathorgan.homestead.com/lcoindex.html
40 mins from Warrington, Liverpool Cathederal`s spectacular, the largest in the UK and probably the world...
http://www.livcathorgan.homestead.com/lcoindex.html
hoover1060
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wow now thats a treasure
Cavaille-Coll is revered for his organs. I could only hope to hear one live!
Louis, those organs are gorgeous too! I could look at those pictures for hours, and would love to get my hands(and feet) on any one of those!
Cavaille-Coll is revered for his organs. I could only hope to hear one live!
Louis, those organs are gorgeous too! I could look at those pictures for hours, and would love to get my hands(and feet) on any one of those!
vinvac
Well-known member
Great Pics
Great Organ pictures. I am lucky here in the summer Sinsinawa Mound, a Domincan Mother House for the Roman Catholic Church hold Wed. Organ concerts. They invite organist from the mid-west to come and play. No charge, just a free will offering at the door.
The organ is a Casavant installed in 1965. 2 manual and pedal, 26 stops, 34 ranks, and 1651 pipes. At the time it was built it was the largest two manual and pedal organ in the United States. The sanctuary is round and all marble. Above the main entry to the sanctuary is a balcony where the organ is located. The sound fills every area of the room.
Sinsinawa Mound and the St. Patricks Church in Benton, WI (the town I was born and raised in) are hoping that by fall the priest that built the church and the dominican center will be cananized a Saint. Fr. Mazzachuelli was the priests name. He died at a very young age, but during his lifetime designed and built several churches in our area. He was known for his compassion and healing touch. Not only did he design Catholic churches but also helped with several of the protestant churches in the area.
It is so sad for me to see our churchs following the contempory movement and letting the organ as the main instrument fade away. Even the Catholic Churches here are going to drums, guitars and electronic pianos for worship... how sad..
Great Organ pictures. I am lucky here in the summer Sinsinawa Mound, a Domincan Mother House for the Roman Catholic Church hold Wed. Organ concerts. They invite organist from the mid-west to come and play. No charge, just a free will offering at the door.
The organ is a Casavant installed in 1965. 2 manual and pedal, 26 stops, 34 ranks, and 1651 pipes. At the time it was built it was the largest two manual and pedal organ in the United States. The sanctuary is round and all marble. Above the main entry to the sanctuary is a balcony where the organ is located. The sound fills every area of the room.
Sinsinawa Mound and the St. Patricks Church in Benton, WI (the town I was born and raised in) are hoping that by fall the priest that built the church and the dominican center will be cananized a Saint. Fr. Mazzachuelli was the priests name. He died at a very young age, but during his lifetime designed and built several churches in our area. He was known for his compassion and healing touch. Not only did he design Catholic churches but also helped with several of the protestant churches in the area.
It is so sad for me to see our churchs following the contempory movement and letting the organ as the main instrument fade away. Even the Catholic Churches here are going to drums, guitars and electronic pianos for worship... how sad..
SactoTeddyBear
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Re: Grammar School Memory:
When I was in Elementary School, we had one particular Program that was put on by the PTA and one of the Janitor's had an Organ that they brought for the performance. He hooked up an Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner's Cloth Hose fitting to the Blower part and placed the end of the Hose in a hole on the side of the Organ. While the Organ was being played, there was a huge Balloon that started to Blow-Up and we were all plugging our Ears, because we were sure that the Balloon was going to Burst.
Needless to say, he stopped playing the Organ and turned off the Vacuum Cleaner, just in time. The Balloon began to loose the Air inside and it made this great sounding Noise kind of like Bagpipes, after you have filling the Bladder up and quit playing them, while it was deflating.
Has anyone else ever seen or heard of such a set-up, of an Organ using a Vacuum Cleaner to operate the Organ and having a Huge Balloon that would Blow-Up as I have discribed? If anyone might have any Pix's that would be great to share with us. I wish I had a Camera at the time to take some Photo's. Who knew this would be such a great conversation piece so many years later on!!!
Peace and Great Organ Music Playing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
When I was in Elementary School, we had one particular Program that was put on by the PTA and one of the Janitor's had an Organ that they brought for the performance. He hooked up an Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner's Cloth Hose fitting to the Blower part and placed the end of the Hose in a hole on the side of the Organ. While the Organ was being played, there was a huge Balloon that started to Blow-Up and we were all plugging our Ears, because we were sure that the Balloon was going to Burst.
Needless to say, he stopped playing the Organ and turned off the Vacuum Cleaner, just in time. The Balloon began to loose the Air inside and it made this great sounding Noise kind of like Bagpipes, after you have filling the Bladder up and quit playing them, while it was deflating.
Has anyone else ever seen or heard of such a set-up, of an Organ using a Vacuum Cleaner to operate the Organ and having a Huge Balloon that would Blow-Up as I have discribed? If anyone might have any Pix's that would be great to share with us. I wish I had a Camera at the time to take some Photo's. Who knew this would be such a great conversation piece so many years later on!!!
Peace and Great Organ Music Playing, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
lederstiefel1
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Pipe Organs
Can pipe organs even wash??
Cheers, Ralf
Can pipe organs even wash??
Cheers, Ralf
Grammar School Memory Story
Wow, Great Story, Steve! It is interesting, I've had the same thoughts in regard to whether a vacuum cleaner could be used as the blower in a Pipe Organ. Thanks for sharing your story.
With all the vacuum cleaners I have in my collection--200 or more--who knows what I'll do!! It would be interesting to see if one of my Electrolux Vacuums would indeed power a Pipe Organ! Thanks again everybody, for your stories and great pictures!
Wow, Great Story, Steve! It is interesting, I've had the same thoughts in regard to whether a vacuum cleaner could be used as the blower in a Pipe Organ. Thanks for sharing your story.
With all the vacuum cleaners I have in my collection--200 or more--who knows what I'll do!! It would be interesting to see if one of my Electrolux Vacuums would indeed power a Pipe Organ! Thanks again everybody, for your stories and great pictures!
abcomatic
Well-known member
great (swell) thread
HI everyone, What a great thread here. I am an organist too and am installing a 1906 Estey organ opus 290 at home here. I also have pipework from Moller and Casavant and the keydesk is a 1924 Hinners. When this is all finished (soon) I will have 18 ranks. Here is a stop list if anyone is interested: Gt. Open dia. 8, melodia 8, dulciana 8, unda maris 8,trumpet (very loud from the old Moller at St. Chrys. in Chicago)ocatve 4, 15th 2. mixture. Swell: stopped dia.8,viola 8, voix celeste 8, oboe 8 (Gottfried, 1924) flute harm. 4, piccolo 2, sesqu.2 ranks, trem. Pedal, bourdon 16'and 16' posaune, half length( from Salem Lutheran Casavant in Peoria). I will see if i can get a few picture here if anyone is interested? Have fun playing. Gary
HI everyone, What a great thread here. I am an organist too and am installing a 1906 Estey organ opus 290 at home here. I also have pipework from Moller and Casavant and the keydesk is a 1924 Hinners. When this is all finished (soon) I will have 18 ranks. Here is a stop list if anyone is interested: Gt. Open dia. 8, melodia 8, dulciana 8, unda maris 8,trumpet (very loud from the old Moller at St. Chrys. in Chicago)ocatve 4, 15th 2. mixture. Swell: stopped dia.8,viola 8, voix celeste 8, oboe 8 (Gottfried, 1924) flute harm. 4, piccolo 2, sesqu.2 ranks, trem. Pedal, bourdon 16'and 16' posaune, half length( from Salem Lutheran Casavant in Peoria). I will see if i can get a few picture here if anyone is interested? Have fun playing. Gary
SactoTeddyBear
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- 1,302
Re: Extra Info to my Story:
I couldn't at the time of writing my Story, think of the type of Balloon used. It was similar or exactly like a Weather Balloon, that was used on the Organ. It would figure, because it would have a much stronger Material used for the Balloon housing.
I think that the Owner of the Organ and Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner attachment had the On/Off Switch wired onto the Console of the Organ, so they didn't have to push the Button on the Vacuum Cleaner to start the Blower, for operating the Organ.
"BTW" I believe that the Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner that was used to operate this Organ was one of the 1950's Models that had the Manual Latched Cover to open and access to the Cloth Reusable Bag and it has the Swinging Lovours on the Blower/Front part of the Vacuum Cleaner. It also has the Push-Button Start Switch on the end of the Handle Assembly.
Maybe possibly someone has a Pix of this Model Electrolux to share with this Posting, to show others what this Vacuum Cleaner looks like, especially the younger Members.
Peace and Fun Times of Music, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
I couldn't at the time of writing my Story, think of the type of Balloon used. It was similar or exactly like a Weather Balloon, that was used on the Organ. It would figure, because it would have a much stronger Material used for the Balloon housing.
I think that the Owner of the Organ and Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner attachment had the On/Off Switch wired onto the Console of the Organ, so they didn't have to push the Button on the Vacuum Cleaner to start the Blower, for operating the Organ.
"BTW" I believe that the Electrolux Vacuum Cleaner that was used to operate this Organ was one of the 1950's Models that had the Manual Latched Cover to open and access to the Cloth Reusable Bag and it has the Swinging Lovours on the Blower/Front part of the Vacuum Cleaner. It also has the Push-Button Start Switch on the end of the Handle Assembly.
Maybe possibly someone has a Pix of this Model Electrolux to share with this Posting, to show others what this Vacuum Cleaner looks like, especially the younger Members.
Peace and Fun Times of Music, Steve
SactoTeddyBear...
rocketwarrior
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- 454
Lester's Organ-ization
Forgive me if all y'all have been there, but if you are talking organs, you need to see Charles Lester's site.
On a related matter, are you familiar with monastic antiphonals? I have a page from a 15th century antiphonal that is two sided and 31" by 22.5"
http://www.137.com/organs/
Forgive me if all y'all have been there, but if you are talking organs, you need to see Charles Lester's site.
On a related matter, are you familiar with monastic antiphonals? I have a page from a 15th century antiphonal that is two sided and 31" by 22.5"
http://www.137.com/organs/
bobbyderegis
Well-known member
Hi All, another organist here.
I just got a new gig: as of September 1st I will be the new organist and choir director of the Congregational Church in Needham, Massachusetts. It has a 1993 Casavant, 3 manuals, forty ranks. I'll post some pics of the case and console when I figure out how to do it. I will miss the tracker organ in my old church. You can't get away with anything on a tracker!
Bobby in Boston
I just got a new gig: as of September 1st I will be the new organist and choir director of the Congregational Church in Needham, Massachusetts. It has a 1993 Casavant, 3 manuals, forty ranks. I'll post some pics of the case and console when I figure out how to do it. I will miss the tracker organ in my old church. You can't get away with anything on a tracker!
Bobby in Boston
Help me understand.......
I am a church pianist and fill in occasionally for our organist. We have a two-manual Allen from 1979. It plays well and sounds great. Now I am not trained on the organ, and don't know much about it. I have always wondered what a tracker organ is? Can someone help me understand? Tim
I am a church pianist and fill in occasionally for our organist. We have a two-manual Allen from 1979. It plays well and sounds great. Now I am not trained on the organ, and don't know much about it. I have always wondered what a tracker organ is? Can someone help me understand? Tim
vinvac
Well-known member
Tim
A tracker has a mechanical action. When you press a note on the keyboard you are actually opening the valve to allow air into the pipe. The more stops you use that harder it is to play.
Anytime you have an Allen organ you have a good electronic organ. Now with digital voiceing it can be hard to tell wether or not it is a real pipe organ. Allen is in my opinion one of the best electronic organs on the market. The church I play for has an Allen that is about 8 years old. Smaller churches that can't afford a real pipe organ will generally look for an Allen or Rogers. I beleive now Allen can build an organ that uses both real pipes along with the digital voices. I am not sure that any of the other companies offer that.
Morgan
Morgan
A tracker has a mechanical action. When you press a note on the keyboard you are actually opening the valve to allow air into the pipe. The more stops you use that harder it is to play.
Anytime you have an Allen organ you have a good electronic organ. Now with digital voiceing it can be hard to tell wether or not it is a real pipe organ. Allen is in my opinion one of the best electronic organs on the market. The church I play for has an Allen that is about 8 years old. Smaller churches that can't afford a real pipe organ will generally look for an Allen or Rogers. I beleive now Allen can build an organ that uses both real pipes along with the digital voices. I am not sure that any of the other companies offer that.
Morgan
Morgan
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