A Tribute to Charles Krigbaum
Thomas Murray
At the heart of Charles Krigbaum's creed as a teacher has been the ideal of universality. In a period when instruments such as the Newberry Memorial Organ had fallen out of favor, Charles was there in Woolsey Hall recording Messiaen, and later, all the organ symphonies of Widor.
At the same time, Charles respects the principles of the Organ Reform Movement, along with the precepts of his mentors, Carl Weinrich, Helmut Walcha, and André Marchal. Charles Krigbaum became the American counterpart to these preëminent masters.
He has, however, never allowed himself to become frozen in time. Every year in ourorgan seminar he had us study tuning systems, and during the planning of themeantone instrument we hear tonight he said to me: "This is going to bea great thing for Yale!". It is indeed a great thing for Yale that this new organ should bear the name of our illustrious colleague and friend, who, as Martin Jean has said, deserves credit for the inspiration and impetus for this magnificent new organ.
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