World's Largest Organs; Oldest & UniqueFor sure, the largest pipe organ in the world is in the auditorium of the Atlantic City Convention Hall, but much of it doesn't work and it is just a few pipes larger than the Wanamaker organ at Philadelphia's Lord & Taylor Department Store. The largest church organ is at First Congregational Church, Los Angeles. The organ in the Cadet Chapel, West Point, New York, is just a few ranks smaller. Europe's largest organ is at Passau Cathedral in Germany. In Passau, it is regarded as the world's largest church organ because its owners define "church" as a space consecrated by a bishop. The world's oldest organ is generally agreed to be the one built in 1390 at Sion, Switzerland, and certainly unique is the organ built of bamboo pipes in the Phillipines. Another unique organ is that built 1925-31 by German organ theorist Hans Henny Jahnn to have stops arranged in masculine and feminine groups which are accessible by combinations only. The world's largest organs, oldest organs, and unique organs are often described as such by their owners. Here are some recordings of them and some books about them. |
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| NEW! Charles M. Courboin, Virgil Fox, Walter Baker and Fernando Germani are featured in this deluxe Two CD set of all the very first recordings of the Wanamaker Organ. Thrill to rare, masterful performances and a heroic style of organ playing during the heyday of the Symphonic Organ. Includes a deluxe booklet. More than two hours of fine music! | |
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| From the OHS Vault! This is a reprint of a 1904 booklet and article from Scientific American containing the description of the Grand Concert Organ erected in Festival Music Hall previous to its installation in Convention Hall in Kansas City, Missouri. | |
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| The Wanamaker Organ, Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte and the Philadelphia Brass Ensemble celebrate Christmas in the grand style. Here comes Santa Claus! | |
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| A complicated array of four organs is heard together and separately. | |
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| Now available on compact disc is a selection of works performed by significant Australian organists for the 1979 inauguration of the massive Ronald Sharp organ at the world-renowned Sydney Opera House. The 205 rank instrument was, at the time of the recording, the largest organ in Australia and the largest mechanical action instrument in the world. Includes a complete stoplist, information about the instrument and the works performed, and an article from the Melbourne Age entitled Sydney's musical monster. | |
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| A Wanamaker Organ Christmas Barron Smith, Charles M. Courboin, and Paul Mickelson perform “Those Glorious Songs of Old” in vintage recordings at the magnificent John Wanamaker Organ! | |
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| Walter R. Schuster, who redesigned the organ in 1980, demonstrates both organ and bells. | |
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| 147 Stops and 9997 Pipes! Concert Virtuoso and Former Organist of Westminster Abbey Simon Preston puts the restored organ through its paces in a demanding program of varied works. | |
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| Here are the sights, sounds, and stories of the world’s largest pipe organ built 1929-32 at the Atlantic Convention Hall in New Jersey. Of 449 ranks and more than 33,000 pipes, this extraordinary organ is located in eight chambers arranged in a "surround-sound" configuration inside one of the largest interior spaces ever created. This video documentary introduces the visionaries who created the organ: Emerson Richards, Seibert Losh, and others of influence. It describes the evolution of the “municipal organ,” the ongoing restoration of the Atlantic City Hall and organs, tours the chambers, and reproduces old movie footage of the Hall and home movies of the Ballroom organ (built by Kimball), and a separate production on saving old organs with Alan Laufman, Barbara Owen, and Thomas Murray. Click the headline for more information and to order. | |
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| The two most famous recordings made on the two great organs in the Atlantic City Convention Hall are now on one CD, after decades of unavailability. In 1956, Mercury Records recorded Robert Elmore in stereo on the world’s largest organ (7 manuals, 449 ranks built by the Midmer-Losh firm), when it was in-tune and functioning, playing four great works of J. S. Bach in the cavernous Convention Hall. Elmore also recorded the very fine 1929 Kimball 4-55 located in the grand acoustic of the Ballroom. The original stereo tapes have been digitally transferred with 24-bit technology in HDCD. Click headline for programs | |
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| The first recording in two decades of the world’s largest organ, the famous organ created by Senator Emerson Richards and built by Midmer-Losh with 7 manuals and 449 ranks to fill the 41,000-seat Atlantic City Convention Hall with sound. | |
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| The comprehensive book about the World's Largest Organ at Atlantic City, as written by Stephen D. Smith, contains almost every detail concerning the instrument. 2nd Edition. 522 pages, paperback. | |
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| This large-format book contains 94 of the legendary black and white 8"x10" photographs taken by Fred Hess & Son between 1929 and 1932, documenting the construction of the famous Midmer-Losh pipe organ with its 449 ranks and 33,114 pipes -- the largest organ in the world. | |
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| Four essays are gathered into a 60-page booklet published by the ACCHOS, describing the world’s largest organ. Included are the layout of all of the divisions in the building, layout of the consoles, the full stoplist, construction details on every rank of pipes, a splendid explanation of the resources and operation of the five-manual console, and how it differs from the seven-manual one. And, much more. | |
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| The famous 461-rank organ (the worlds largest?) at the Philadelphia department store, now Lord & Taylor, is played by Peter Richard Conte. Works by Elgar, Bolcom, Wagner, Nicolai, and Mussorgsky. Click for repertoire. | |
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| The famous recordings made by Keith Chapman at the famous organ in the Wanamaker Store, Philadelphia. A 2-CD set. | |
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| by Ray Biswanger. Read the complete story of the colossal pipe organ and the fabled Philadelphia retail palace that has been its showcase for 90 years. Order your copy now! Peter Conte Plays Magic! on the Wanamaker Organ | |
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| THE COMPLETE GUIDE to the organ of 28,500 pipes at Philadelphia’s great department store includes a thorough history of the organ, photos of the myriad pipe chambers, vintage views of the store, an illustrated section on celebrities associated with the organ, and a complete specification, including pipe and mixture composition details. Produced by the Friends of the Wanamaker Organ. 36 pages, soft, | |
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| A 24-page booklet published in 1917 by the Wanamaker store in Philadelphia elegantly describes in prose and photographs the largest organ in the world. Click for a full description. | |
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| Taken from radio broadcasts which began in 1971, these programs capture the enthusiasm and artistry of the young Keith Chapman. A 2-CD set | |
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| Volume II is a single CD featuring more outstanding interpretations by legendary Wanamaker Organist Keith Chapman, gleaned from the vaults of Chapman's radio broadcasts. Works by Purvis, Handel, Bach, Debussy, Froberger, Buxtehude, and the full resources of the organ in a Reger selection. | |
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| Largest Organ in the World, 1883 The Walcker organ in St. Mary’s Cathedral in Riga, Latvia renders this program of German Romantic repertoire played by Fr. Dominikus Trautner with thrills galore! A Mendelssohn sonata, Merkel's Variations on a theme by Beethoven, Rheinberger Sonata 5, and Reger's Introduction & Passacaglia in f and Canzone in E-flat. Click picture for repertoire | |
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| World’s Largest Organ of 1883 still exists intact as built with 124 stops, 157 ranks, on 4 manuals at Riga Cathedral in Latvia. Supported by grand acoustics, the organ thrills in rendering repertoire for which it was built to play, especially in the hands of the gifted organist Fr. Dominikus Trautner, OSB. The right thing in a good place! Click Picture for Details & to Order | |
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| From Passau Cathedral, the massive organ and a large brass ensemble make thrilling sounds. Hans Leitner plays. The cathedral’s bells are played as well. Imported by OHS. Click Picture for Details & to Order | |
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| Hans Henny Jahnn (1894-1959), a theorist and leader of organ reform in Germany, built 1925-31 a highly experimental and controversial organ for the Lichtwarkschule in Hamburg with 19 speaking stops arranged in masculine and feminine groups which are accessible through free combinations only. More about the remarkable organ is explained in English in the excellent CD booklet. Click picture for repertoire | |
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| A 34-rank organ located in the Swiss village of Ursy is equipped with hi-tech features from Syncordia including “the first non-mechanical action in history to directly control the opening of a pipe organ’s pallets in direct proportion to the movement of the keys” thus ostensibly combining the virtues of electric action with the intimate control of tracker action. Massimo Nosetti plays interesting works, including the exciting Finale of the Yon "Concerto Gregoriano" Click picture for repertoire | |
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| Lee Detra plays | |
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| Great sound and playing of Bach, Roberts, Rheinberger, Tournemire, Dupré, and Joyce Jones' own improvisation on The Red Dragonfly | |
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| David Briggs plays the organ with more than 20,000 pipes in 346 ranks in First Congregational Church, Los Angeles, probably the world's largest church organ. Great acoustics for works by Walton, Vierne, Reubke, Fauré, and Briggs' own 3-movement improvisation on "A Mighty Fortress." | |
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| at First Congregational Church, Los Angeles, with 346 ranks of pipes, 265 stops and over 22,000 pipes. British virtuoso David Goode became organist-in-residence in late 2003. Click picture for repertoire | |
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| The massive organ is at its best with interesting romantic works such as these impressive and widely dynamic pieces. Hans Leitner soars on 17,774 pipes, 233 stops, built as the world's largest church organ in 1928 by the Steinmeyer firm and enlarged since. | |
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| 17,774 Pipes, 233 Stops, 4 Consoles! Passau Cathedral in Germany has claimed the world’s largest church organ since the Steinmeyer firm installed 206 ranks in 1928. Rebuilt 1978-81, the instrument is actually five independent organs located throughout the cathedral. Three have mechanical-action consoles and all may be played from a 5M electric console. Helga Schauerte plays them in works which demonstrate their various national styles: German, Italian, French; with some of the French works and a Reger piece using combinations or all of the organ(s). Imported by OHS. | |
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| The famous 1949 Aeolian-Skinner of 235 ranks totalling 13,389 pipes at The First Church of Christ, Scientist, in Boston, is recorded for the first time on CD and by the wife of its designer and voicer. Jongen: Sonata Eroica; Willan: Introduction, Passacaglia & Fugue; Hindemith: Sonata 1; Reubke: 94th Psalm | |
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| In the largest collegiate chapel in the world, Martin Jean plays the famous organ, newly rebuilt and enlarged to 102-ranks by the Dobson Organ Company. Gospel Preludes of William Bolcom, Ad nos of Liszt, and works by Bach, Brahms, and Pachelbel. Reviews The Organ, "Amongst all the CDs I have of organs in the States, this is probably the best, both for instrument and performance: highly recommended." | |
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| The young German organist Felix Hell plays works by Healey Willan, Karg-Elert, Craig Lang, Enjott Schneider, Widor, Bach, Mendelssohn, Dupré, Jongen, and David German on the 1954/1990 Schantz of 154-ranks in 9 divisions and 193 stops at the Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart in Newark, New Jersey -- the firm's largest organ. Click for repertoire | |
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| The organ at Leeds Town Hall in England may be the world's largest three-manual. Much rebuilt from the original 1865 Gray & Davison, the organ now boasts 112 ranks. Played nicely in the splendid acoustics by Simon Lindley. | |
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| Agnes Armstrong plays a widely varied program of Christmas pieces, many by American composers, on the first and only solo CD recording of America's oldest, large 3m organ, built in 1847 by Richard M. Ferris for Calvary Church, New York, and moved to Round Lake, New York in 1889. | |
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| A sonic thriller from Down Under! Guggenmos plays the great 1890 William Hill organ -- the largest extant and intact English organ and one of only two in the world with full-length 64' ranks. Crowd-pleasing yet unfamiliar works by well-known composers are: Marches by Sowerby and Hollins, an arrangement for organ alone of the Adagio from Saint-Saens' "Organ Symphony," YON: American Rhapsody BARBER: Adagio for Strings RAWSTHORNE: Hornpipe Humoresque Click for repertoire | |
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| The Hill Organ of Sydney Town Hall Jane Watts plays the famous 1890 Hill 5m organ of 127 stops, including an almost unique full-length 64’ (well, the Atlantic City Convention Hall organ has two of them but the organ is barely playable through no fault of its own), in works by George Thalben-Ball, W. T. Best, and Marcel Dupré. | |
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| The largest British organ built in the 19th century including a full length 64' stop, one of only two in the world. | |
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| Dan Miller plays the Möller firm’s last large organ, a 5m dedicated in 1990 at Calvary Church in Charlotte, N. C. | |
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| Recorded in 1990 on the 205-rank Moller at Calvary Church, Charlotte, North Carolina. Dan Miller plays a grand program. Click ikon for list of works on program. | |
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| With all pipes made of Bamboo, this organ was built by a priest in 1816 at a church in the Phillipine Islands. Albert Bolliger plays Iberian works of the 16th through 18th centuries. | |
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| Quick-Time Movie Included! on the second CD in this 2-CD set for the price of one CD! The world's only organ with pipes made of bamboo can be seen and heard: on a conventional CD, the fine Australian organist Douglas Lawrence nicely plays Zipoli, Pachelbel, Galuppi, Bach, Couperin, and Handel (with orchestra in the last). Place the second CD of "extras" in your PC or Mac computer and view an 8-minute movie of the organ with stereo sound! Click for more information | |
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| The World’s Oldest Organ (playable) dating from 1390 in the Basilica of Valère in Sion, Switzerland, is played by Albert Bolliger in a program of 22 pieces composed 1450-1750, including the earliest known organ music. The 16-page booklet discusses the organ’s history and a brief account of the theories concerning its arrival at its location of great beauty in the Alps with 12 photos of the organ. | |
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| The oldest organ receives an imaginative and provocative program played by Guy Bovet. Includes the oldest keyboard music known to exist (ca. 1316), and a work of 52 seconds duration for the noises made by the six-centuries-old tracker action. Also works by Gabrieli, Trabaci, Guami; J. S. Bach: Fantasy & Fugue in a and several anonymous works. | |
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| The World’s Oldest Organ 1430 Modern technological examinations of the ancient organ in the Protestant church of St. Andreas in Ostönnen (Westphalia) date it ca. 1430. The organ was carefully restored in 2002-03 by a consortium. Organist Brett Leighton is joined by Doron David Sherwin on the cornetto, a difficult and little known early wind instrument, in a program of early music. Click picture for repertoire | |
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| MARCHAND: Dialogue in C FRESCOBALDI: Toccata Nona from 2nd Book LEFÉBURE-WÉLY: Sortie; Bolero de Concert GAWTHROP: Allegro Ritmico CAVAZZONI: Ricerar Quarte BRUHNS: Prelude & Fugue in G WALTHER: Concerto in b BACH: Allein Gott in der Höh; Toccata & Fugue in d (Dorian) Brombaugh at Iowa State Lynn Zeigler plays the 1987 John Brombaugh Opus 29 3-30 in ISU Recital Hall. | |
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| In 1931, parts of an ancient pipe organ were excavated in Budapest, in a place called Aquincum when it came into Roman possession in the early years, A. D. An inscription dates the organ to 228 A. D. This book in English describes the organ as studied and reproduced by Werner Walcker-Mayer, scion of the organbuilding dynasty. His careful studies of the music of the organ’s era and a decade of technical research, his failures and success at the third attempt to replicate the organ (in 1969), all are recounted with many photographs and diagrams in this handsome volume, bound in green leather. International Symposium "Organ of Classical Antiquity: The Aquincum Organ A. D. 228" | |
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