I own several Hauptwerk digital organs. I would LOVE to have this organ in the collection! Lovely tones. Great micing and demo, folks. The new Opus 88 by Taylor & Boody will be implemented in '26. Can't wait.
An excellent tour of a fine instrument. I appreciated the short but meaningful excerpts from some traditional hymnody. We plan to visit perhaps for a concert and worship, hopefully soon. I went to Pharmacy School just across the street and west a bit (the old Chamberlain Hall) and walked past this church hundreds of times without ever entering it. That remains a significant regret that can be vanquished by the aforementioned visits. :)
The best Austin I have ever heard. All pipework is fantastic but the Swell Strings are, as they say "To Die For". The Pedal is very smooth and prominent. Fantastic demonstration. Thank You.
Gorgeous instrument, and how wonderful to have it documented before it is removed. Thanks Brent and Andrew! Also, i highly recommend tuning in to the church’s live stream to hear Andrew’s exquisite service playing!
This organ reminds me of the old 1973 Austin at Highland Park United Methodist in Dallas. The layout of the pipes around a stained glass window is very similar, with the divisions stacked. That organ suffered from a bad room. I think it was 103 stops or something like that. It was taken out some years ago and replaced with a new Dobson which is very nice.
Thank you Brent and Andrew for this wonderful demonstration! From start to finish this was one of, if not the, very best organ demonstration videos I've seen to date. Back in the mid 1970's I bought a small book called "Organ Design and Appraisal" by James Blaine Jamison. He championed the Austin universal chest, and many of his tonal ideas can be seen clearly in this instrument. In particular, it was his notion that an enclosed Bombarde 8 on the Choir, extended to 16-foot in the Pedal, would serve as a multi-purpose chorus/solo reed on a modest-sized 3-manual instrument with a reedless Great. I have read that amazing book countless times, but this is the first time I've actually heard an example of this design feature. It seems as if Jamison's influence is all over the design of this organ, and clearly to good effect.
I learned, for a while, on this organ's twin in Eastman Hall at the UW, a room about the size of Luther Mem's narthex. This instrument got a lot more love and a much better room.
Bless You for showing the newer Tremulant. I loved the Austin Fan Tremulant. Gave a shimmering effect to the sound, but a little guilty of blowing on the pipework. A No No.
Great video! The next time you are in the Philly area, you should visit Wayne Presbiterian who has a 1963 Austin. For years, the church had a largely carpeted sanctuary that Virgil Fox oftern admonished should be ripped out. The carpet is gone and an antiphonal division was added in the 1980's. Across route 30 is St Mary's Episcopal that has its second Ruffati. The first one burnt in the late 1960's. I attended the Methodist Church about a 3 minute walk. They have a Moeller that was played by Keith Chapman, long time and greatly missed organist at Wanamakers. Not far by car, is St. David's Episcopal Church where Dr. Clair Rozier recently retired. Opus 84 Dobson resides there.
The nason Flute suounds quite intresting its like a wooden equivalent to a metal quintadena. But the differenceis on most quintadenas the quint is not so strong pronoinced as in the nason flute. And the nason flute has also more roots frequenckies
This Organ and Building has come a light year over 6 decades. The interior of the church was coated in perforated cellulose tiles everywhere. 60 Years ago it had zero reverberation. The Original Möller had many issues mainly being installed in the tower of the church which is oddly on the Western Altar side. Towers are notorious for dampness and zero positive air-flow. The Austin installed in 1966 was never rightfully finished. It was supposed to have a case and provisions were made for an Echo Organ which would probably have been installed in the now defunct tower in some fashion. The old Austin console had the stop knobs already engraved - I think it was a Principal Chorus, a Mixture and I think one flue but I am not sure. The update to the console eliminated these stops completely. It looks as if there is a Peterson 4000 control unit installed. During this period there were crucial updates to the organ by adding the Trompete 8' and Tierce 1 3/5' in the Great. It has had great care given to it over the decades. The church also removed all of the perforated tiles little-by-little and eventually removed all of it. The Church was then restored with brilliant sky blue stenciling which was similar to the original the surfaces were also hardened as was the wood ceiling. The floor was already wood and terrazzo. so that was already non-porous and hard. It improved the acoustics nearly 100% (First building that I have ever heard where that worked). The church has an ambitious music program and always had terrific organists. Besides the J.W. Steere organ which sounds super and a Gene Bedient Portative Organ with three stops. There soon will be Taylor & Boody's Opus 88 installed in the Nave. This organ will be complete also having an East and West Tower in the balcony with mixed electric and tracker action with approximately 72 Stops - 71 ranks - 14 Borrows (mostly in pedal and included in the stop count) It will have a 2' reed pedal stop! So the Building and the Austin have come a light year improved. The thing that impresses me is that the organ is very articulate and nice to play. The console, yes, Dr. Schaeffer is the most comfortable to play and I am only 5'8". The sound at the console is a bit strident and harsh, but on the main floor of the Nave it is very present and very nice to listen to!
well, we would gladly welcome it to replace our 1963 organ here, which is really ugly compared to this one! The building dates from the 13th century and is by far the biggest church in the region at 80 m of length, but we don't have so generous doners... Best wishes from Austria
Talk to Rieger... and given that this organ struggles in a small building like this, it would just die in your building. Another possibility would be for you to look for redundant Romantic organs from England.
I tried, I really tried to like this organ - I like low-pressure organs - T.C. Lewis organs, which so inspired G. Donald Harrison, are huge, full-bodied sounding things, with almost nothing on more than 3 1/2 inches of wind. But everything about this organ is so insipid, so watered-down, so bland... I very much hope that, whatever future it does have, it is very significantly revoiced, rescaled, put on more wind, whatever it takes to get the damn thing to sing instead of bleating weedily. Because clearly, even though Austin was being run by Richard Piper, an ex Willis man (Willis having taken over/merged with Lewis), the people who designed and voiced this had never heard Southwark Cathedral, or St John's Upper Norwood, or Albion URC in Ashton-under-Lyne...
Great demonstration of a beautiful organ! I hope it finds a new home!
Gorgeous instrument so far! Those pedal reeds are huge!
They are Rowen! Nice seeing you on youtube as well as Instagram!
@ This organ is actually in my states Capitol! Nice to see you too!
hey yall
I own several Hauptwerk digital organs. I would LOVE to have this organ in the collection! Lovely tones. Great micing and demo, folks. The new Opus 88 by Taylor & Boody will be implemented in '26. Can't wait.
It's being replaced with a new 3/66 Taylor & Boody.
Yay!!!! Brent and Andrew! The A Team
Fabulous! Loved the March of the Marionettes.
Fabulous playing!
An excellent tour of a fine instrument. I appreciated the short but meaningful excerpts from some traditional hymnody. We plan to visit perhaps for a concert and worship, hopefully soon. I went to Pharmacy School just across the street and west a bit (the old Chamberlain Hall) and walked past this church hundreds of times without ever entering it. That remains a significant regret that can be vanquished by the aforementioned visits. :)
We'll look forward to welcoming you!
Would love to hear a piece on 'Full Organ'. Rise & SHINE !!!!! :)
The best Austin I have ever heard. All pipework is fantastic but the Swell Strings are, as they say "To Die For". The Pedal is very smooth and prominent. Fantastic demonstration. Thank You.
Saint Clements,Philadelphia has the best Austin in the world. Lol
….but it does.
I would have to agree with you!
@@Wanamaker1946 what about Irvine Auditorium in Philadelphia?
@@NorfolkSouthern-xt3xx this thing is just insipid. Tepid at best.
What a great organ. I want to take home that Box Flute.
I would love to see some pictures of the previous install of the organ.
Yes, it's hard to visualize what he's describing, other than the whole organ being on one side.
Gorgeous instrument, and how wonderful to have it documented before it is removed. Thanks Brent and Andrew! Also, i highly recommend tuning in to the church’s live stream to hear Andrew’s exquisite service playing!
This organ reminds me of the old 1973 Austin at Highland Park United Methodist in Dallas. The layout of the pipes around a stained glass window is very similar, with the divisions stacked. That organ suffered from a bad room. I think it was 103 stops or something like that. It was taken out some years ago and replaced with a new Dobson which is very nice.
I've sang in that church. It has lovely acoustics.
We always know it's going to special when Andrew is on board!
What a gorgeous voice this organ has!
Thanks guys; you two really are the dream team!
I would enjoy playing that pipe organ!
STANDING OVATION MAESTRO
Thank you Brent and Andrew for this wonderful demonstration! From start to finish this was one of, if not the, very best organ demonstration videos I've seen to date.
Back in the mid 1970's I bought a small book called "Organ Design and Appraisal" by James Blaine Jamison. He championed the Austin universal chest, and many of his tonal ideas can be seen clearly in this instrument. In particular, it was his notion that an enclosed Bombarde 8 on the Choir, extended to 16-foot in the Pedal, would serve as a multi-purpose chorus/solo reed on a modest-sized 3-manual instrument with a reedless Great. I have read that amazing book countless times, but this is the first time I've actually heard an example of this design feature. It seems as if Jamison's influence is all over the design of this organ, and clearly to good effect.
It seems curious that Andrew is talking so positively about this instrument when it's about to be replaced.
Much thanks for this video. Loved watching and listening.
Thoroughly enjoyed this! Thank you!
Always interesting to hear you both talking about the organ.
I learned, for a while, on this organ's twin in Eastman Hall at the UW, a room about the size of Luther Mem's narthex. This instrument got a lot more love and a much better room.
They can't love this one much either given it's about to be replaced.
Edit: just saw what is to come! Excited to see (and hear) the new Taylor and Boody organ that will replace this one.
My organ teacher always felt "low" wind pressure created the best sounds. So I am sure he would have loved this organ.
Love the sound pretty organ
Bless You for showing the newer Tremulant. I loved the Austin Fan Tremulant. Gave a shimmering effect to the sound, but a little guilty of blowing on the pipework. A No No.
Looks like Pratt-Reed keys to me. They were the FATAR TP-8O of their time. Very serviceable even today.
Great video!
The next time you are in the Philly area, you should visit Wayne Presbiterian who has a 1963 Austin. For years, the church had a largely carpeted sanctuary that Virgil Fox oftern admonished should be ripped out. The carpet is gone and an antiphonal division was added in the 1980's. Across route 30 is St Mary's Episcopal that has its second Ruffati. The first one burnt in the late 1960's. I attended the Methodist Church about a 3 minute walk. They have a Moeller that was played by Keith Chapman, long time and greatly missed organist at Wanamakers. Not far by car, is St. David's Episcopal Church where Dr. Clair Rozier recently retired. Opus 84 Dobson resides there.
We visited Wayne Presbyterian a couple of years ago. th-cam.com/video/Fbb6LzzwkTg/w-d-xo.html
@@OrganMediaFoundation Thanks for the reminder!
That extra space behind the Positive. You could install a 32' Contra Nachthorn as the awaited 32...
Hey, why not??....
You could use it to call whales. 🙂
What was the piece of music being played at the start of the video?
Lied to the Sun from Lied Symphony by Flor Peeters
What was the opening piece being played?
Sehr schöne Orgel
The nason Flute suounds quite intresting its like a wooden equivalent to a metal quintadena. But the differenceis on most quintadenas the quint is not so strong pronoinced as in the nason flute. And the nason flute has also more roots frequenckies
What was the pice at the beginning of the video?
Lied to the Sun from Flor Peeters’ Lied Symphony
Why exactly is this organ going to be replaced? It seems fine?
This Organ and Building has come a light year over 6 decades. The interior of the church was coated in perforated cellulose tiles everywhere. 60 Years ago it had zero reverberation. The Original Möller had many issues mainly being installed in the tower of the church which is oddly on the Western Altar side. Towers are notorious for dampness and zero positive air-flow. The Austin installed in 1966 was never rightfully finished. It was supposed to have a case and provisions were made for an Echo Organ which would probably have been installed in the now defunct tower in some fashion. The old Austin console had the stop knobs already engraved - I think it was a Principal Chorus, a Mixture and I think one flue but I am not sure. The update to the console eliminated these stops completely. It looks as if there is a Peterson 4000 control unit installed. During this period there were crucial updates to the organ by adding the Trompete 8' and Tierce 1 3/5' in the Great. It has had great care given to it over the decades. The church also removed all of the perforated tiles little-by-little and eventually removed all of it. The Church was then restored with brilliant sky blue stenciling which was similar to the original the surfaces were also hardened as was the wood ceiling. The floor was already wood and terrazzo. so that was already non-porous and hard. It improved the acoustics nearly 100% (First building that I have ever heard where that worked). The church has an ambitious music program and always had terrific organists. Besides the J.W. Steere organ which sounds super and a Gene Bedient Portative Organ with three stops.
There soon will be Taylor & Boody's Opus 88 installed in the Nave. This organ will be complete also having an East and West Tower in the balcony with mixed electric and tracker action with approximately 72 Stops - 71 ranks - 14 Borrows (mostly in pedal and included in the stop count) It will have a 2' reed pedal stop!
So the Building and the Austin have come a light year improved. The thing that impresses me is that the organ is very articulate and nice to play. The console, yes, Dr. Schaeffer is the most comfortable to play and I am only 5'8". The sound at the console is a bit strident and harsh, but on the main floor of the Nave it is very present and very nice to listen to!
I think he said they are *adding* a continuo organ to the lineup of organs
@@miltronixwatch till the end
👏👏 Great demonstration - thanks
@@miltronix the Austin is being removed to make way for a 3/66 Taylor & Boody.
"Nason Flutes are fine"
"This Nason Flute is ~*okay*~"
Why are there 3 swell pedals for two enclosed divisions??? Do tell 🙂
Crescendo pedal perhaps?
Probably the Bombarde
One was for the prepared-for Antiphonal division which was never installed.
@@andrewschaeffer6389what tune did you play during the bombarde demonstration?
well, we would gladly welcome it to replace our 1963 organ here, which is really ugly compared to this one! The building dates from the 13th century and is by far the biggest church in the region at 80 m of length, but we don't have so generous doners...
Best wishes from Austria
Talk to Rieger... and given that this organ struggles in a small building like this, it would just die in your building. Another possibility would be for you to look for redundant Romantic organs from England.
I tried, I really tried to like this organ - I like low-pressure organs - T.C. Lewis organs, which so inspired G. Donald Harrison, are huge, full-bodied sounding things, with almost nothing on more than 3 1/2 inches of wind. But everything about this organ is so insipid, so watered-down, so bland... I very much hope that, whatever future it does have, it is very significantly revoiced, rescaled, put on more wind, whatever it takes to get the damn thing to sing instead of bleating weedily. Because clearly, even though Austin was being run by Richard Piper, an ex Willis man (Willis having taken over/merged with Lewis), the people who designed and voiced this had never heard Southwark Cathedral, or St John's Upper Norwood, or Albion URC in Ashton-under-Lyne...