My favorite pipe organ in the world. I have been there every summer since Gordon started playing there in 1974. It has the BEST and most powerful pedal division of any organ I have ever heard hands down. The 32' Contra Diaphone shakes the floor all the way back of the Auditorium. The building is made out of wood. You have to hear the great instrument to believe it. I get goosebumps from the sound. Yet, it can be as subtle and can knock your socks off with that thunderous bass in the pedal!
I first heard this organ around 1960. My grandparents lived in the permanent house closest to the Great Auditorium - there were tents closer, of course. It is the most magnificent instrument I have ever heard. The fact that the entire building is wood seems to provide a "sounding box" of sorts, even when all the dooors are open. It may not be the largest in the world, but it is among the best anywhere. I'm sorry I have not heard it in 30 years.
It is in NJ. I sing there in the summer for the Choir Festival-800-1000 singers-fun!! A few years back we sang "When I Survey the Wonderous Cross" . There is a point in that piece right before the final Amen..when Gordon hit that note ...wow I was right in front of the pipes-almost fainted ..what a thrill!
I was there and had to leave early. We had to catch the last train out. It started half hour late, so we missed 40 min. What we heard was awesome. Only disapointment is Michael Stairs playing. Its like he is afraid to play it. The base is unbelievable, I get goosebumps on my goosebumps! I heard Gordon practicing Crown Him With Many Crowns once, FULL organ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PipeDreams has the concert on the website
This organ is my very favorite. I have heard it many times. We attended services once and the postlude was so powerful I sware I forgot to breath. It has an unmachable tone and power that just thrills my very being. It has nearly 11,000 pipes. Yes, swell shades have lead covers. An echo division was installed for the centenial in 2008 but I think it was a waste of money, better to have used the money for the main organ upkeep. You should here Widor's Tacotta on this organ! WOW!!!
I was at a concert this summer, it's a great instrument ! Of course, Hope Jones may be gone a bit far... but the actual instrument is colourfull, powerfull and moving. Very happy to have heard it live.
Part of the sounds of Ocean Grove that I miss. That...and the noontime siren from the (was it the Bradley Beach FD?) every day. Does that thing still sound off, today? (...The siren, not the organ.)
I have to disagree. Were you there with a full auditorium? it takes what it has with 6,500+ people, orchestra, and all the doors and windows open. Still my favorite organ, just the most beautiful majestic tone.
Can't anybody think of anything else to demonstrate a pipe organ with beside Toccata and Fugue in d minor?!?! This was a great piece of music until it was seized upon by popular culture and every other organist who can't think of anything else to play. It has been popularized to death.
My favorite pipe organ in the world. I have been there every summer since Gordon started playing there in 1974. It has the BEST and most powerful pedal division of any organ I have ever heard hands down. The 32' Contra Diaphone shakes the floor all the way back of the Auditorium. The building is made out of wood. You have to hear the great instrument to believe it. I get goosebumps from the sound. Yet, it can be as subtle and can knock your socks off with that thunderous bass in the pedal!
I first heard this organ around 1960. My grandparents lived in the permanent house closest to the Great Auditorium - there were tents closer, of course. It is the most magnificent instrument I have ever heard. The fact that the entire building is wood seems to provide a "sounding box" of sorts, even when all the dooors are open. It may not be the largest in the world, but it is among the best anywhere. I'm sorry I have not heard it in 30 years.
This is a cool organ. I love singing in Ocean Grove ever summer!
It is in NJ. I sing there in the summer for the Choir Festival-800-1000 singers-fun!!
A few years back we sang "When I Survey the Wonderous Cross" . There is a point in that piece right before the final Amen..when Gordon hit that note ...wow I was right in front of the pipes-almost fainted ..what a thrill!
Sounds very fine. Thanks.
I was there and had to leave early. We had to catch the last train out. It started half hour late, so we missed 40 min. What we heard was awesome. Only disapointment is Michael Stairs playing. Its like he is afraid to play it. The base is unbelievable, I get goosebumps on my goosebumps! I heard Gordon practicing Crown Him With Many Crowns once, FULL organ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! PipeDreams has the concert on the website
This organ is my very favorite. I have heard it many times. We attended services once and the postlude was so powerful I sware I forgot to breath. It has an unmachable tone and power that just thrills my very being. It has nearly 11,000 pipes. Yes, swell shades have lead covers. An echo division was installed for the centenial in 2008 but I think it was a waste of money, better to have used the money for the main organ upkeep. You should here Widor's Tacotta on this organ! WOW!!!
I was at a concert this summer, it's a great instrument ! Of course, Hope Jones may be gone a bit far... but the actual instrument is colourfull, powerfull and moving.
Very happy to have heard it live.
holy cow!!!
one of the largest in the world? i can think of quite a few larger ones, however it is a beautiful organ.
Part of the sounds of Ocean Grove that I miss. That...and the noontime siren from the (was it the Bradley Beach FD?) every day. Does that thing still sound off, today? (...The siren, not the organ.)
Now I don't feel so bad about having to flip 90 rocker tabs on my Wurlitzer 625t.
I have to disagree. Were you there with a full auditorium? it takes what it has with 6,500+ people, orchestra, and all the doors and windows open. Still my favorite organ, just the most beautiful majestic tone.
I bought the cd and was so disappointed, it lacked sound and the music chosen didnt do justice for so mighty an organ
@kviky0
If it's so fine, why haven't you bothered to post a single video of yourself playing it?
keep talking over it - AHHHHHHH
Can't anybody think of anything else to demonstrate a pipe organ with beside Toccata and Fugue in d minor?!?! This was a great piece of music until it was seized upon by popular culture and every other organist who can't think of anything else to play. It has been popularized to death.
well I wish I could have listened to the music above those talking !!!!!
holy cow!!!