time on two large organs in the Chicago area

[Mirabilis]

Just a few days ago I had 1 1/2 hours on the 4-manual Aeolian-Skinner organ in Millar Chapel on
the campus of Northwestern University. A fabulous instrument and one that did not follow the pattern
of other Aeolian-Skinner organs built during the Whiteford years. The Millar organ's manual divisions are:
from top to bottom: 1. Brustwerk 2. Recit 3. Great 4. Positif.

The other organ on which I was given 1 1/2 hours is the Goulding & Wood at Loyola University's Madonna della Strada chapel. Three manual ( Recit - Grand - Positif). Lots of lovely sounds from all tonal families and
dynamic levels. Great room with some reverberation. On each of these instruments I played works from
several periods of organ literature.

[myorgan]

On each of these instruments I played works from several periods of organ literature.

Mirabilis,

You lucky duck!!! It's been decades since I've played an organ with a French setup, capable of playing that literature to its fullest potential. Did you happen to make any recordings?

Congratulations on your good fortune.

Michael

[pictureroll]

I may be wrong but a french setup would have the Grand Orgue or Great on the bottom.

[Leisesturm]

I may be wrong but a french setup would have the Grand Orgue or Great on the bottom.

You aren't wrong, but you may be pressing the point a tad? I would expect the G&W at least, to have a G.O./Positif transfer piston.

[myorgan]

I may be wrong but a french setup would have the Grand Orgue or Great on the bottom.

Pictureroll,

Technically, you are correct. However, I believe the major difference in what you mentioned is more of a continental difference (Europe vs. America) than being musically determined. Many European organs of 3-manuals or more (even German) have the Great/Hauptwerk/Grand Orgue as the manual closest to the performer rather than the Choir/Choeur/Positiv. On American organs, the reverse is true.

With the advent of technological innovation, the solution Leisesturm referenced is now commonly provided on most organs of 3 or more manuals.

My reference in the post I made was more about stops and how the ranks are voiced vs. the arrangement of the manuals. Perhaps I should have used the term voicing vs. the term setup. Sorry about that.

Michael

[Havoc]

This often depends on the position of the positiv. If the positive is at the balustrade, then very often the manual for the positiv is on the bottom. Certainly with a mechanical traction and then you will be almost certainly with your back to the church. Then you have the great on the middle manual and the recit on top. So the manual positions mentioned look fine to me.

[myorgan]

This often depends on the position of the positiv. If the positive is at the balustrade, then very often the manual for the positiv is on the bottom. Certainly with a mechanical traction and then you will be almost certainly with your back to the church. Then you have the great on the middle manual and the recit on top.

Good points.

Michael