Möller, M(athias) P(eter)

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Möller, M(athias) P(eter)

Möller, M(athias) P(eter), Danish-American organ builder; b. Bornholm, Sept. 29, 1855; d. Hagersto wn, Md., April 13, 1937. He was trained as a mechanic before emigrating to the U.S. (1872). After working for the organ-building firm of Derrick & Felgemaker in Erie, Pa., he settled in Hagerstown and founded his own company (1880), which became the largest manufacturer of pipe organs in the U.S. He installed organs throughout the U.S. and made a number of improvements in their construction; later pioneered the development of small, self-contained organs. After his death, his son, M.P. Möller Jr. (1902–61), served as president of the company; after his death, it was run by other descendants of the founder. Among its notable modern organs are those in the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in Washington, D.C. (1965), in Heinz Chapel at the Univ. of Pittsburgh (1970), and at Orchestra Hall in Chicago (1981).

—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis Mclntire