Wonderful chat with plenty of good-natured humour and some fascinating facts for all organ nerds: bravo! My research suggests the Pennsylvanian Longwood Gardens Organ is the largest residence organ in the world with 10,010 pipes. The instrument was designed by Longwood organist-in-residence, Firmin Swinnen, a Belgian musician, who moved to the US in 1916 and became a prominent theater organist in New York City. The organ's pipes filled fourteen railway freight cars, and they needed a 72-horsepower (54 kW) blower motor to supply the wind pressure (easier than hand-pumping!). Pierre du Pont ordered this massive Aeolian organ in 1929 to replace the previous organ of 3,650 pipes, which he donated to the University of Delaware, where it stayed until 1964. The four-manual organ plays into the Longwood ballroom and can be heard throughout the Conservatory when adjoining window panels are opened. Its pipes may be viewed from the rear through glass panels in Longwood's organ museum. The Longwood Organ enjoyed a seven year long restoration that began in 2004 and was completed in 2011. But I guess Dr Blackstone's home organ at Cleveland Heights is now the largest private residence instrument.
😂 Stop gear 😅
Waiting has the end!
Very enjoyable. Look forward to more.
Wonderful chat with plenty of good-natured humour and some fascinating facts for all organ nerds: bravo!
My research suggests the Pennsylvanian Longwood Gardens Organ is the largest residence organ in the world with 10,010 pipes. The instrument was designed by Longwood organist-in-residence, Firmin Swinnen, a Belgian musician, who moved to the US in 1916 and became a prominent theater organist in New York City. The organ's pipes filled fourteen railway freight cars, and they needed a 72-horsepower (54 kW) blower motor to supply the wind pressure (easier than hand-pumping!). Pierre du Pont ordered this massive Aeolian organ in 1929 to replace the previous organ of 3,650 pipes, which he donated to the University of Delaware, where it stayed until 1964. The four-manual organ plays into the Longwood ballroom and can be heard throughout the Conservatory when adjoining window panels are opened. Its pipes may be viewed from the rear through glass panels in Longwood's organ museum. The Longwood Organ enjoyed a seven year long restoration that began in 2004 and was completed in 2011. But I guess Dr Blackstone's home organ at Cleveland Heights is now the largest private residence instrument.
Will you ever continue your 8 organs / 8 churches series?
Fantastic music !
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