Songs of the Organ

This short musical film "Songs of the Organ" features organist Ann Leaf performing "Lieberstraum" on the mighty Wurlitzer The film features shots of Leaf at the organ, and interpretive shots of nature to echo the lyrics of the song. The film was released in the 1930s as part of the Paramount Pictorial series.

Leaf was an accomplished musician who, at the age of 10, was playing as a soloist with the Omaha Symphony Orchestra. At age sixteen, she had earned a scholarship at Julliard School of Music in New York where she began preparing for a career as a concert pianist. Her sister's interest in the organ brought the organ to her attention. Once Leaf's interest in the organ was piqued, she began to focus her attention on playing the theatre organ. She is probably best known for her own organ programs on the National Network of Columbia Broadcasting Systems and for providing background music for well-known soap operas of the times. She even played for President Roosevelt.