In the Sunday NYT Arts & Leisure section on page 8 is a great article by James Oestreich recounting a personal tour of three organs led by Paul Jacobs, the 38 year old chairman of the organ department at the Julliard School. I think you will enjoy reading it. How you find it is up to you. I read it the old fashion way from the page.
On The Organ Trail in Manhattan
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I suppose this is the interview you meant?
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/05/arts/music/on-the-organ-trail-in-manhattan.html?_r=0
http://www.nytimes.com/2015/07/05/arts/music/on-the-organ-trail-in-manhattan.html?_r=0
That's it!
Thanks, Louis.
Thanks, Louis.
Of the three organs featured, I’ve only heard the one at St Patrick’s, and that was a long time ago. The organ there was not my favorite sound.
I’ve never even set foot in Smoky Mary’s, which is an embarrassing confession.
But the instrument that really piques my interest is the one in St Ignatius Loyola; the voicing in the recording was very nice. I’ve never even heard of that church.
The problem I have now is that I don’t live anywhere near the city, so when we visit, there’s no chance that a given church will have a recital or even be open on the few days we’re there. I really miss a lot of things about being near New York, but music is the first thing on the list.
I’ve never even set foot in Smoky Mary’s, which is an embarrassing confession.
But the instrument that really piques my interest is the one in St Ignatius Loyola; the voicing in the recording was very nice. I’ve never even heard of that church.
The problem I have now is that I don’t live anywhere near the city, so when we visit, there’s no chance that a given church will have a recital or even be open on the few days we’re there. I really miss a lot of things about being near New York, but music is the first thing on the list.
lordkenmore
Well-known member
Interesting piece!
Perhaps of interest, there is a organ builder in the Tacoma, WA area.
http://www.frittsorgan.com/index.html
You can see their organs by going to the "Opus" menu on the top, and selecting "All". This brings up a list of organs/locations, which are all over the US.
Perhaps of interest, there is a organ builder in the Tacoma, WA area.
http://www.frittsorgan.com/index.html
You can see their organs by going to the "Opus" menu on the top, and selecting "All". This brings up a list of organs/locations, which are all over the US.
Went to college with someone who was pally
With one of the top organ repair persons in NYC if not the USA. From what one understood that business in general (organs) was or still is slowly dying off. Between churches closing and various new technologies it seems demand and or use was dwindling.
Here in NYC you have many great old churches closing and one always wondered what happens or will happen to the organs. IIRC the New York Achdiocese does have a warehouse of sorts where various fittings/objects from closed churches/religious buildings that are being torn down are stored (for future use), but cannot see that happening with an organ.
With one of the top organ repair persons in NYC if not the USA. From what one understood that business in general (organs) was or still is slowly dying off. Between churches closing and various new technologies it seems demand and or use was dwindling.
Here in NYC you have many great old churches closing and one always wondered what happens or will happen to the organs. IIRC the New York Achdiocese does have a warehouse of sorts where various fittings/objects from closed churches/religious buildings that are being torn down are stored (for future use), but cannot see that happening with an organ.
Paul Jacobs is a wonderful player and friend! The article is very timely as in the past 3 years or so, the organ has been making a comeback. Seattle has just landed one the the best American organists for St. Mark's Cathedral, Portland has gotten Bruce Neswick and again here in Seattle at one of our major downtown churches, Plymouth Congregational they are putting the final touches on a newly renovated sanctuary and a wonderful 3 manual Fisk organ (Boston) tuned to a French styled sound. The organ builder in Tacoma, Paul Fritts has created some wonderful organs in our area, most noticeably at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma and is hard at work building a new organ for Notre Dam University, his largest yet. A recent concert by Doug Cleveland in Seattle saw almost 800 people attend. That's HUGE!
There has also been a surge in organ students across the nation and with more than half coming from overseas. My teaching friends are all excited for the fall because of this renewed interest.
I think that you can tell how enthusiastic I am about the organ! Greg
There has also been a surge in organ students across the nation and with more than half coming from overseas. My teaching friends are all excited for the fall because of this renewed interest.
I think that you can tell how enthusiastic I am about the organ! Greg
lordkenmore
Well-known member
>Between churches closing and various new technologies it seems demand and or use was dwindling.
May be true.
Interestingly, perhaps, I'm aware of one local church that is or will be having this particular decision. They are poised to get a really good deal on an organ. However, even with that really good deal, that organ will still be $$$$ to factor into the budget. (One could also argue there might be better ways of spending the money.) And I know of at least person who partly liked this church when he first attended because there was not an organ to be seen (or heard). The organ, he said, was too oppressive for him--something to do with memories of churches when he was growing up, I think.
May be true.
Interestingly, perhaps, I'm aware of one local church that is or will be having this particular decision. They are poised to get a really good deal on an organ. However, even with that really good deal, that organ will still be $$$$ to factor into the budget. (One could also argue there might be better ways of spending the money.) And I know of at least person who partly liked this church when he first attended because there was not an organ to be seen (or heard). The organ, he said, was too oppressive for him--something to do with memories of churches when he was growing up, I think.
norgeway
Well-known member
Re old organs..
Its not just great old Churches doing away with fine old instruments, many small Churches have done away with my favorite organs Hammonds, and have gone to contemporary music, which in my Daddys words, "Id just as soon hear a hog rub its ass against an electric wire!"...If they haven't gone contemporary they take out the good old Hammond and replace it with a Allen Rogers or Baldwin, or something equally as funeralish.,
Its not just great old Churches doing away with fine old instruments, many small Churches have done away with my favorite organs Hammonds, and have gone to contemporary music, which in my Daddys words, "Id just as soon hear a hog rub its ass against an electric wire!"...If they haven't gone contemporary they take out the good old Hammond and replace it with a Allen Rogers or Baldwin, or something equally as funeralish.,
Hans! The GD awful "Praise Band."
lordkenmore
Well-known member
> The organ builder in Tacoma, Paul Fritts has created some wonderful organs in our area, most noticeably at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma
I remember hearing about it when it was commissioned. Some photos on the site I linked to above:
http://www.frittsorgan.com/opus_pages/galleries/opus_18/photo_gallery.html
I haven't heard it, myself, but then I try to avoid being the area around PLU, as my car does not have bullet proof glass...
I remember hearing about it when it was commissioned. Some photos on the site I linked to above:
http://www.frittsorgan.com/opus_pages/galleries/opus_18/photo_gallery.html
I haven't heard it, myself, but then I try to avoid being the area around PLU, as my car does not have bullet proof glass...
lordkenmore
Well-known member
gone to contemporary music
Anything to appeal to modern people, I guess. Or try to.
Certainly there seems to be a struggle in the church world between Traditional and Contemporary. A lot of churches where I am solve it by having 2 services, one that is Traditional, and the other Contemporary. So at least part of the service requires 2X as much work to prepare for.
Anything to appeal to modern people, I guess. Or try to.
Certainly there seems to be a struggle in the church world between Traditional and Contemporary. A lot of churches where I am solve it by having 2 services, one that is Traditional, and the other Contemporary. So at least part of the service requires 2X as much work to prepare for.
John!
OUCH!
OUCH!
norgeway
Well-known member
RE Praise Band!
I agree...VOMIT!!!!! Most of it sounds like a BAD 80s rock band!..I like old fashioned Gospel singing ,traditional stuff, not that mess played today, give me a Hammond organ and a big old upright piano anyday.
I agree...VOMIT!!!!! Most of it sounds like a BAD 80s rock band!..I like old fashioned Gospel singing ,traditional stuff, not that mess played today, give me a Hammond organ and a big old upright piano anyday.
AMEN on Praise Bands. These can be very painful to listen to at times and often irreverent.
I'll save the political discussion of them for another day. However, I say give me a traditional choir and organ ANYDAY over a praise band. They sound so much more majestic and beautiful than any rock band ever could.
I should add the likes of vocalists like Marilla Ness and Dan Schutte do have my approval. They are a nice blend of traditional and modern.
I'll save the political discussion of them for another day. However, I say give me a traditional choir and organ ANYDAY over a praise band. They sound so much more majestic and beautiful than any rock band ever could.
I should add the likes of vocalists like Marilla Ness and Dan Schutte do have my approval. They are a nice blend of traditional and modern.
Pipe organs can be a BENEFIT to the church that installs one.It can last the LIFE of the building that its installed in.electronic ones won't last that long.In older chrches that are closed or even abandoned-pipe organ fans often rescue and remove the instrument for future installation somewhere else.The pipe organ is "recycled" and enjoyed again.Theater organs are often used in this way.And if an organ is in a demo-often pipe organ fans fish the parts out of the dumpsters and refurbish them in their shops!And often the organ in the church can be used for concerts besides church use.The only electronic pipe organ worth dealing with are the Hammonds.If someone would make a REAL version of these--NOT the digital ones-he could be sitting on a gold mine-they WILL sell.Muscians of all sorts so want a real Hammond-the prices skyrocket!!Recording studios also snap any on sale up.They are used for their musical instrument "stock"The organ at the church my father went to had pipes "recycled" from the Elks theater former organ!So cool!
passatdoc
Well-known member
@mikael3
St Ignatius Loyola is on Park Ave on the Upper East Side and has its share of the rich and famous. The funeral of Jacqueline Kennedy was held there; she was also baptized and confirmed at St. Ignatius. I've never been inside, hence knew nothing about the wonderful organ and acoustics of the interior.
Have been inside St Patricks many times, but never for a concert. Have heard the organ play, but the visitors always present make a lot of noise, and it's hard not to be distracted inside.
Nearly all of the Catholic churches here have or are in the process of abandoning classical music. A real shame, since some of their music programs were very strong at their peaks.
My (Episcopal) parish organ includes original pipes from its 1903 Moeller installation, as well as contributions from a theater organ whose theater closed in the early 1950s. About 5000 pipes in all.
http://messiah-santaana.org/?page_id=720
St Ignatius Loyola is on Park Ave on the Upper East Side and has its share of the rich and famous. The funeral of Jacqueline Kennedy was held there; she was also baptized and confirmed at St. Ignatius. I've never been inside, hence knew nothing about the wonderful organ and acoustics of the interior.
Have been inside St Patricks many times, but never for a concert. Have heard the organ play, but the visitors always present make a lot of noise, and it's hard not to be distracted inside.
Nearly all of the Catholic churches here have or are in the process of abandoning classical music. A real shame, since some of their music programs were very strong at their peaks.
My (Episcopal) parish organ includes original pipes from its 1903 Moeller installation, as well as contributions from a theater organ whose theater closed in the early 1950s. About 5000 pipes in all.
http://messiah-santaana.org/?page_id=720
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messiah-santaana.org
A Hammond?
Cannot touch this:
Cannot touch this:
Leave us do that again
Not awake yet?
Not awake yet?
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