Mike Bigelow here. The colorful temperament is historic Kirnberger III, which lends peaceful solidity to chords. This organ's tone/voicing was inspired by the gentle, low-wind-pressure Italian baroque style. We felt this was most appropriate for this Cistercian monastery, where monks live in austerity and simplicity. We last tuned Opus 11 in January, 2019 -- 6 1/2 years ago! Hurray for cone tuning!
Hello! Did you inspire yourself to Venetian organ building when building that 4’ flute? It sounds incredibly similar to my organ in Vicenza, Italy. Is it conical? Thank you.
Brent, Andrew, and Organ Media Foundation, thank you for visiting New Melleray Abbey and creating this wonderful program. We are grateful for the Bigelow organ and your presence.
I have done retreat at New Melleray Abbey…it is such a wonderful place with great hospitality! Blessings to the brothers for their lives and their ministry! Side note, one of my best friends was buried in one of their hand crafted caskets.
On behalf of Bigelow & Co., thanks very much for that beautiful demo! The stoplist is available by clicking on "Stop List" on the above. That will answer some questions, such as the number of ranks in the mixture - just two: 1 1/3' + 1'. Breaks folllow the classic Italian model: each rank breaks back after 1/8' c, so the 1' becomes 2' at C#4 on the keyboard and 4' at c#5, the 1 1/3' becomes 2 2/3' at f#4, and so on. The 4' flute is open and cylindrical with a 1/5 mouth. The apparent "breaks" reveal the need to do a little regulating next time we're there! The organ was originally installed with three stops planned for future addition: Sesquialtera (which plays on the other manual as a 2 2/3' Quinte), Mixture, and Dulcian. As Andrew pointed out, when funds became available for the additions it was determined that an actual Dulcian (cylindrical reed) would see little use, and that a very soft string would prove very useful, so just think of it as a Dulciana that lost its last letter. Dan Johnson is right: Bruce Fowkes voiced the original seven ranks/stops, and I had my first voicing lesson on that Gedackt. Mike Bigelow came out for finishing touches and the dedication. Mike and someone else voiced the added ranks. It was Mike's first hands-on experience with a string. (Good job, Mike!)
There's a parish across the road from the abbey called Holy Family. I grew up in that parish and my parents still go to church at Holy Family. For Sunday school they brought us over to the abbey to listen to the monks and hear this organ on a few occasions.
Thanks for featuring small instruments as in this Abby, along with other small one manual instruments that support many churches and reminding us quirkey organists that NOT all instruments play ALL organ music. Small well designed organs designed for the space and use they serve, can be a fabulous experience
This organ was voiced by Bruce Fowkes when the instrument was first installed, with the exception of the mixture, which was added later. The organ was originally voiced on 55mm of wind. Over the years, someone saw fit to increase this, to the detriment of the sound. Fortunately, this change was corrected and hopefully it is remaining at 55mm. The chapel used to be a bunkhouse when there were more monks in residence. The second floor was removed and the chapel was created, which has won architectural recognition. It has a walk-in tabernacle! This organ is a joy to play! Dan Johnson
I'm a big fan of Bigelow Organs. I will be visiting them this week as part of an organ workshop. My dream is to one day commission an organ from them. All I need is a bunch of money
Nice organ! When I look at the front pipes, I think it's 50%/50% Lead/Tin. I was told that only such alloy gives you the "spotted metal" look. But ik can be misinformed ;)
Brent, If you are ever back in Iowa you should definitely check out this pipe organ's slightly bigger brother at St Andrew Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. It has the same unique inter manual stop concept albeit built later in 1992 and has some stops under expression.
Another 2 manual Bigelow organ that might be worth checking out is the Ruth & Paul Manz organ, which was originally installed in Chicago when it was built in 2004, but is now in Seattle.
That 4 foot flute sounds like it is a mixture of several different 4 footers. The bottom twelve nites sound like they are borrowed from the 8 foot Gedeckt. The upper from Tenor C through note 61 sound like there is a collage of Flute D'Anour, a Fugara, and perhaps a Zauberflote, and a Fife at the upper end of the register and perhaps trace elements of a tierce even a Nasard in there for perhaps an unofficial Cornet fe composer in it.
A pipe organ for the liturgy of the hours. I’m sure it gets used multiple times a day by a skilled musician. While an organ isn’t strictly necessary for monastic worship, it greatly enhances worship and liturgy. As for who paid for it… why does it matter to you?
To enhance the liturgy for the 7 times a day they gather together to pray. This particular Trappist Abbey (founded in 1849) is known for its crafting of very high-quality wood caskets, coffins and urns, from which I’d think they earn a nice buck.
@Stephenroyse2493, Your questions give away a lack of understanding of monastic life and how it is funded. You might try educating yourself before asking questions that betray your prejudice. Better yet, visit New Melleray and listen to the monks sing. You will find a very prayerful and welcoming community!
Mike Bigelow here. The colorful temperament is historic Kirnberger III, which lends peaceful solidity to chords. This organ's tone/voicing was inspired by the gentle, low-wind-pressure Italian baroque style. We felt this was most appropriate for this Cistercian monastery, where monks live in austerity and simplicity. We last tuned Opus 11 in January, 2019 -- 6 1/2 years ago! Hurray for cone tuning!
It’s exquisite. ❤
Hello! Did you inspire yourself to Venetian organ building when building that 4’ flute? It sounds incredibly similar to my organ in Vicenza, Italy. Is it conical? Thank you.
Brent, Andrew, and Organ Media Foundation, thank you for visiting New Melleray Abbey and creating this wonderful program. We are grateful for the Bigelow organ and your presence.
I have done retreat at New Melleray Abbey…it is such a wonderful place with great hospitality! Blessings to the brothers for their lives and their ministry! Side note, one of my best friends was buried in one of their hand crafted caskets.
Brother Paul Andrew, blessings to you in your ministry!
On behalf of Bigelow & Co., thanks very much for that beautiful demo! The stoplist is available by clicking on "Stop List" on the above. That will answer some questions, such as the number of ranks in the mixture - just two: 1 1/3' + 1'. Breaks folllow the classic Italian model: each rank breaks back after 1/8' c, so the 1' becomes 2' at C#4 on the keyboard and 4' at c#5, the 1 1/3' becomes 2 2/3' at f#4, and so on. The 4' flute is open and cylindrical with a 1/5 mouth. The apparent "breaks" reveal the need to do a little regulating next time we're there! The organ was originally installed with three stops planned for future addition: Sesquialtera (which plays on the other manual as a 2 2/3' Quinte), Mixture, and Dulcian. As Andrew pointed out, when funds became available for the additions it was determined that an actual Dulcian (cylindrical reed) would see little use, and that a very soft string would prove very useful, so just think of it as a Dulciana that lost its last letter. Dan Johnson is right: Bruce Fowkes voiced the original seven ranks/stops, and I had my first voicing lesson on that Gedackt. Mike Bigelow came out for finishing touches and the dedication. Mike and someone else voiced the added ranks. It was Mike's first hands-on experience with a string. (Good job, Mike!)
There's a parish across the road from the abbey called Holy Family. I grew up in that parish and my parents still go to church at Holy Family. For Sunday school they brought us over to the abbey to listen to the monks and hear this organ on a few occasions.
My beloved New Melleray and this Bigelow organ in this wonderful space. It is used 7 times a day 7 days a week.
What an absolutely beautiful organ throughout! Just the right amount of tone available and just a little articulation in the speech.
Andrew is great! He should be in all your videos from now on.
Thanks for featuring small instruments as in this Abby, along with other small one manual instruments that support many churches and reminding us quirkey organists that NOT all instruments play ALL organ music. Small well designed organs designed for the space and use they serve, can be a fabulous experience
This is a lovely instrument that I could spend hours just enjoying!
What a sweet and glowing sound. Perfect acoustics. Thank you, Brent and Andrew.
This organ was voiced by Bruce Fowkes when the instrument was first installed, with the exception of the mixture, which was added later. The organ was originally voiced on 55mm of wind. Over the years, someone saw fit to increase this, to the detriment of the sound. Fortunately, this change was corrected and hopefully it is remaining at 55mm. The chapel used to be a bunkhouse when there were more monks in residence. The second floor was removed and the chapel was created, which has won architectural recognition. It has a walk-in tabernacle! This organ is a joy to play! Dan Johnson
That is a full room filling sound that few instruments can obtain.
That "Dulcian" is very beautifully voiced! Thanks!
I'm a big fan of Bigelow Organs. I will be visiting them this week as part of an organ workshop. My dream is to one day commission an organ from them. All I need is a bunch of money
Interesting and unique instrument with look lots of personality! Nice demo!
Sehr schönes Instrument.
Grüße aus Lohr
Franconia Germany
These videos make my day!
Thank you!
Nice organ! When I look at the front pipes, I think it's 50%/50% Lead/Tin. I was told that only such alloy gives you the "spotted metal" look. But ik can be misinformed ;)
Perfection. Thank you!
What a cool organ!
Brent, If you are ever back in Iowa you should definitely check out this pipe organ's slightly bigger brother at St Andrew Lutheran Church in Cedar Rapids. It has the same unique inter manual stop concept albeit built later in 1992 and has some stops under expression.
Aeris Orgona uses a similar system.
Another 2 manual Bigelow organ that might be worth checking out is the Ruth & Paul Manz organ, which was originally installed in Chicago when it was built in 2004, but is now in Seattle.
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The 4’ Flute in the upper manual is most likely a Spitzflote or some other tapered flute.
Why is that man standing in the background 🤔
That 4 foot flute sounds like it is a mixture of several different 4 footers. The bottom twelve nites sound like they are borrowed from the 8 foot Gedeckt. The upper from Tenor C through note 61 sound like there is a collage of Flute D'Anour, a Fugara, and perhaps a Zauberflote, and a Fife at the upper end of the register and perhaps trace elements of a tierce even a Nasard in there for perhaps an unofficial Cornet fe composer in it.
The first abbey named Melleray is in France.
ugh, can i take it home with me
Here's an organ by another builder with a similar stop mechanism for a somewhat larger organ: ua-cam.com/video/wvfawKQVw04/v-deo.html
4ft flute sounds to me like a tapered flute.
@7:30 what piece is that?
One of the Sweelinck Ballo del Granduca variations
why does a monestary have a pipe organ and who pays for it?
A pipe organ for the liturgy of the hours. I’m sure it gets used multiple times a day by a skilled musician. While an organ isn’t strictly necessary for monastic worship, it greatly enhances worship and liturgy. As for who paid for it… why does it matter to you?
To enhance the liturgy for the 7 times a day they gather together to pray. This particular Trappist Abbey (founded in 1849) is known for its crafting of very high-quality wood caskets, coffins and urns, from which I’d think they earn a nice buck.
@Stephenroyse2493,
Your questions give away a lack of understanding of monastic life and how it is funded. You might try educating yourself before asking questions that betray your prejudice. Better yet, visit New Melleray and listen to the monks sing. You will find a very prayerful and welcoming community!