NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

[Guest]

Okay, fellow haute organistes, tell us where in NYC, all five boros, where the absolute best organs are. If you have not heard them, it is unfair to vote! If you have, please enlighten us, and give us reasons why you think your choices are so fine.
I'll add my votes when I see some responses.

Peace and good piping to all.

[John Bittner]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

I haven't been back to New York in years, and my last hearing of the instruments goes back several decades, but when I'm in town again, I'll take the subway up to 116th Street and Broadway and begin my tour there.


Riverside Church - I heard Fox and Swann there many times.

St Pauls Chapel at Columbia - Another Aeolian-Skinner. Heard many a recital there, but it was always a special treat when Searle Wright was at the console. Loved the organ up in the dome.

Cathedral of St. John the Devine - What a great acoustic space!

Heading back downtown

St. Thomas' - Heard Fernando Germani perform a Bach cycle there when I was in High School.

As I said, my first hand rememberences of some of these instruments goes back nearly 40 years. I hope they haven't been destroyed by some misguided attempt to turn them into something they were not meant to be.

[Guest]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

st bartholomew
most exquisite sound and finest aeolian-skinner in the world

[Guest]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

Alot of people like the Mander organ at St. Ignatius (heard Gillian Weir play there) but I prefer the big Aeolian-Skinner types. I love the St. Thomas Aeolian-Skinner organ. St. Bartholomew's and St. John the Divine are up there too, although St. John's is in pretty bad shape. There used to be a great one at Avery Fisher hall which has since become part of the Ruffati at Crystal Cathedral. I hope they include an organ in the Lincoln Center renovation.

dan

[Guest]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

I love the Organ at St Thomas.

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

the St. Thomas Church main Skinner organ is beautiful, but poorly positioned....it should be swapped with the tracker in back.

I'm also very fond of the Schlicker Organ at Grace Church on 10th street and Broadway....Electropneumatic key and stop action
Twin 3-manual consoles, 101 ranks

[Guest]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

i think i heard a rumor about grace looking to replace that schlicker duo

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

Yes...

There is some notice in the church that Grace is soliciting funds to put in a new organ to replace the old one.

I was shocked to read that, as I had just listened to a concert there by Patrick Allen which I thought was flawless and sounded VERY good.

Then I went thru and saw the notice that the organ was "irrepairable" and was to be replaced. (after hearing a stunning concert on it).

So..I figured it was for an older electric organ in the choir or something, but maybe they are replacing the Schlicker which would be a shame.

Can someone confirm that this organ is indeed "irrepairable" and in need of replacement?

According to the church's website they are soliciting funds for a small choir organ..... "This organ will also be able to sustain our music making in the coming years as we prepare to say farewell to the aging Schlicker Organ in the church and await the arrival of our new organ".

[Guest]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

i am uncertain about the new but i knew on reasonably good authority that the sclicker was like a fad that had passed and i am wondering out loud IF the new organ will in any way attempt to parallel the 1928 gallery skinner organ co instrument designed by g donald harrison and 1911 chancel emskinner?

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

I posted the question on the grace organ on the net and got the response that basically the church wants their Skinner's back.



Does anyone know of any recordings made on the Grace Schlicker that are available on CD?

Would be interesting to have a record of this historical organ before it is lost in an effort to replicate the organ at St. Thomas?

[Guest]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

the dual schlickers replaced a chancel 4m 1911 skinner now housing in that space a 2m schlicker and a 1928 gdh skinner in the gallery also played from the new console down front but with no celestes in the gallery as that was for congregational support and also retaining a wood 32 open from the mid 1800s which schlicker haas retained

e power biggs supposedly had something to do with getting these schlickers in 1965

the trend has shifted and now the church wants something else

must wait and see what they will go for

[mikecala]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC



Let us not forget the magnificent Kilgen in St. Patricks. I heard it a couple of years ago. Thrilling instrument in a marvelous acoustic. I also enjoyed the Aeolian-Skinner in St. Bart's. Unfortunately the Aeolian-Skinner in St. John's was not playing due to the fire damage. St. Mary the Virgen was also a terrific listen.

Mike

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

My fav. hands down is the Aeolian-Skinner at St. Mary the Virgin.... lived in NYC 10 years and never went up to hear the one at St. Johns...I regret that.

[Guest]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

Hey, what about the *machine* at the Church of the Sanctified Snooze(Heavenly Rest)?

Thats a cool one :-)

[NYCFarmboy]

Re: NYer wonders who thinks they know the best organs in NYC

The Heavenly Rest organ is indeed spectactular.

Mammoth 5 manual console