i don't see anybody worship anything here. just admiring a masterpiece that happen to be placed in a church. put it in a shopping mall, and i (personally) still admire it as much as it is in a church.
Lieve - Thank you for introducing me to the world of great organs. I had no idea of the intricasy of these amazing instruments and how they fit into the architecture of this magnificent church. BTW I'm the guy who picked up my brass lamp last week at your shop. Thank you also for the tour of your back room.
Excellent illustration of the integration problem of controlling five complete organs---one down the nave, one down each transept, and two at the crux of a Gothic cruciform Sanctuary---from a single console (in this case, either of two five-manuals). Probably 200+ ranks, including mixtures, between them all.
Just amazing... There can be no words to describe what it must be like to play that thing. I would be so lost coming from a Hammond B3 mindset but when all else fails, i'd just pull out all the stops & let er rip lol hope to have a chance to play this one day soon! You only live once!
This instrument is the largest in a church, by number of ranks. (346 ranks, 20,000+ pipes) Passau only has 327 ranks and 17,774 pipes. This is also the 3rd largest instrument in the world behind the Wanamaker and Boardwalk Hall organs.
www.die-orgelseite.de/disp/USA_LosAngeles_FirstCongregationalChurch.htm states that this organ has 20,417 pipes, the world's largest working organ in a CHURCH. The one in the U.S. Military Academy CHAPEL at West Point (which is not a church, per se), has approximately 23,500 pipes and is therefore larger, and claims to be the world's largest working organ in a HOUSE OF WORSHIP. Probably both statements are true, and the West Point Organ is larger than the First Congregational L.A. organ, but, honestly, who cares? Getting into a contest over whose organ is bigger is, I think, a waste of time. I note that the Wanamaker organ at Macy's Center City in Philadelphia and the one at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlantic City are, of course, both larger than either West Point or FCC-LA. So, I think, the rank for FCC-LA's combined organs is 4th largest in the world, because, allegedly, West Point has more pipes. One source of organ size rankings is en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pipe_organs#Church_organs
West Point has 325 ranks and 20,143 pipes. In terms of ranks it is smaller, we can't determine if it is larger pipe-wise because the exact number in FCCLA is unknown.
@sk8er1979 What about St. John the Divine in NYC? Or Passau Cathedral in Germany I believe. In any event, this is still an awesome instrument, and I really enjoyed the Grande Choeur Diaglogue!
@2468HOTROD : Point taken. The full organ (God help us!) is too big for St. Peter's in Rome. But gorgeously voiced. And the Gigout was the perfect demo piece. Credit to the organist - he played it flawlessly. But I would have liked to hear it without the commentary.
Zu dieser wunderbaren Orgel kann man der Gemeinde nur gratulieren! Allerdings gibt es noch eine Einschränkung: elektronische Register zählen nicht mit. Die Orgel des römisch katholischen Kathedrale Sankt Stephan in Passau (Bayern, Deutschland) hat 237 echte Pfeifenregister. Würde man nach der amerikanischen Zählung von "ranks" sprechen, währen es noch etliche mehr.
So, how many pipes? Thought Crystal Cathedral was the largest church organ, 16,000+ pipes if I recall. Even my favorite organ in Ocean Grove has 10,823 pipes. Calvary Grand Organ 11,499.
Over 20,000 pipes. Dunno how many digital stops.Like to see the blower room. It likely needs its own grid to power the many horsepower needed down there!
Every organ has one separate blower, mayby the main organ with two paddle whells (impeller) . That´s not so spectacular like a blower room from a theatre organ.
***** not surprised. Many tube organs are now employing digital amendments to reduce cost. On the blowers, look up the Albert Hall organ motors. I think it has six 10 HP motors totaling something like 62HP!! Amazing. they have to be turned on in sequence so not to blow breakers.
It has a nice sound. But it isn't the largest working pipe organ in a church if it is 7 different organs. Not to sound criticle or anything. It does have a nice sound though and I like the console.
The seven different organs are playable all at once from either of two identical master consoles and they constitute one organ -- a great many really large organs were built in stages and often by more than one organ builder, and while each state if considered a separate organ, here, the seven organs don't have individual consoles. So they are one organ. The two different consoles, each identical to the other, are placed with one in the gallery in the back of the church where there are a whole bunch of pipes, and one in the front of the church, where there are a whole bunch of pipes, and there are other sections of pipes in other places in the church, I believe. Thus, if the choir is singing, they can sing in the front of the church with the organist near them, or in the back, up in the gallery or loft, with the organist near them if that's where they are.
You're on to the heart of it. Namely, can the great organs of this world be enhanced by electronic sound reproductions? I say yes. What say you, young Sky- Walker ?
While you may be technically correct, this is not an instrument to be sneezed at. it contains numerous rare pipes that can be heard nowhere else in the world. It was, for many years, the home of the Southern California organist Guild's annual concert series. If you ever have a chance, you should do a tour of the instrument. I am well familiar with this instrument, since I was a member of that church for over 50 years and an active choir member for nearly 40 years.
I have sadly grown to dislike massive pipe organs like this because of digital additions. I just find the idea of pipe organ being unable to move air without the aide of electronic voices depressing. It's a bit like having a massive steam locomotive like the Big Boy that has to rely on a diesel unit. Plus, I tend to find that people who advocate digital additions are not that interested in pipe organs.
The sound it produces IS wonderful BUT it is too overdone, too much duplication of stops between all the organs and the acoustics are sad. Too much organ for the size of the congregation, for hymn singing or for most choral performances. Money to purchase and maintain could be better spent on the church's mission and community.
Absolutely loved the playing of this magnificent instrument.
You are one of the lucky ones!!
i don't see anybody worship anything here. just admiring a masterpiece that happen to be placed in a church. put it in a shopping mall, and i (personally) still admire it as much as it is in a church.
Lieve - Thank you for introducing me to the world of great organs. I had no idea of the intricasy of these amazing instruments and how they fit into the architecture of this magnificent church. BTW I'm the guy who picked up my brass lamp last week at your shop. Thank you also for the tour of your back room.
thx for watching my documentary! I had fun making it!
Excellent organist and excellent organ. He has always been a great musician! Even undergrad!!!
i love the sound of the pipe organ
deon elroy k Colbourne, you should play one, it would increase you love for them! Trust me, pipe organs are so..much...FUN!
What a beautiful instrument!
Amazing
Excellent illustration of the integration problem of controlling five complete organs---one down the nave, one down each transept, and two at the crux of a Gothic cruciform Sanctuary---from a single console (in this case, either of two five-manuals). Probably 200+ ranks, including mixtures, between them all.
Just amazing... There can be no words to describe what it must be like to play that thing. I would be so lost coming from a Hammond B3 mindset but when all else fails, i'd just pull out all the stops & let er rip lol hope to have a chance to play this one day soon! You only live once!
@sk8er1979 : The organ is tuned constantly - several days a week - year in and year out. It is the only way with an instrument of this magnitude.
hmmm, i'm not sure about that.
This instrument is the largest in a church, by number of ranks. (346 ranks, 20,000+ pipes) Passau only has 327 ranks and 17,774 pipes. This is also the 3rd largest instrument in the world behind the Wanamaker and Boardwalk Hall organs.
www.die-orgelseite.de/disp/USA_LosAngeles_FirstCongregationalChurch.htm states that this organ has 20,417 pipes, the world's largest working organ in a CHURCH. The one in the U.S. Military Academy CHAPEL at West Point (which is not a church, per se), has approximately 23,500 pipes and is therefore larger, and claims to be the world's largest working organ in a HOUSE OF WORSHIP. Probably both statements are true, and the West Point Organ is larger than the First Congregational L.A. organ, but, honestly, who cares? Getting into a contest over whose organ is bigger is, I think, a waste of time. I note that the Wanamaker organ at Macy's Center City in Philadelphia and the one at the Municipal Auditorium in Atlantic City are, of course, both larger than either West Point or FCC-LA. So, I think, the rank for FCC-LA's combined organs is 4th largest in the world, because, allegedly, West Point has more pipes. One source of organ size rankings is en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_pipe_organs#Church_organs
A phenomenal instrument!
lovely and very well presented.
West Point has 325 ranks and 20,143 pipes. In terms of ranks it is smaller, we can't determine if it is larger pipe-wise because the exact number in FCCLA is unknown.
@sk8er1979 What about St. John the Divine in NYC? Or Passau Cathedral in Germany I believe. In any event, this is still an awesome instrument, and I really enjoyed the Grande Choeur Diaglogue!
@2468HOTROD : Point taken. The full organ (God help us!) is too big for St. Peter's in Rome. But gorgeously voiced. And the Gigout was the perfect demo piece. Credit to the organist - he played it flawlessly. But I would have liked to hear it without the commentary.
nice instrument...nice sound...
Two 64' foot stops!
Thanks :) Happy Holidays!!!!
Zu dieser wunderbaren Orgel kann man der Gemeinde nur gratulieren! Allerdings gibt es noch eine Einschränkung: elektronische Register zählen nicht mit. Die Orgel des römisch katholischen Kathedrale Sankt Stephan in Passau (Bayern, Deutschland) hat 237 echte Pfeifenregister. Würde man nach der amerikanischen Zählung von "ranks" sprechen, währen es noch etliche mehr.
Beautiful instrument
So, how many pipes? Thought Crystal Cathedral was the largest church organ, 16,000+ pipes if I recall. Even my favorite organ in Ocean Grove has 10,823 pipes. Calvary Grand Organ 11,499.
А что за произведение звучит?! Комментатор портит впечатление ужасно! Хочется услышать произведение без посторонних шумов!!!
Die Orgel sieht toll aus, sie hat ihren klassischen amerikanischen Klang!
Los Angeles, CA... and yes to question #2.
Over 20,000 pipes. Dunno how many digital stops.Like to see the blower room. It likely needs its own grid to power the many horsepower needed down there!
There are no digital stops on the 1st Church Organ.
Every organ has one separate blower, mayby the main organ with two paddle whells (impeller) . That´s not so spectacular like a blower room from a theatre organ.
***** not surprised. Many tube organs are now employing digital amendments to reduce cost. On the blowers, look up the Albert Hall organ motors. I think it has six 10 HP motors totaling something like 62HP!! Amazing. they have to be turned on in sequence so not to blow breakers.
At the time of filming, there were a couple of digital stops.
One for the original organ, two for both transepts, one for the Bach organ in the back.
It has a nice sound. But it isn't the largest working pipe organ in a church if it is 7 different organs. Not to sound criticle or anything. It does have a nice sound though and I like the console.
The seven different organs are playable all at once from either of two identical master consoles and they constitute one organ -- a great many really large organs were built in stages and often by more than one organ builder, and while each state if considered a separate organ, here, the seven organs don't have individual consoles. So they are one organ. The two different consoles, each identical to the other, are placed with one in the gallery in the back of the church where there are a whole bunch of pipes, and one in the front of the church, where there are a whole bunch of pipes, and there are other sections of pipes in other places in the church, I believe. Thus, if the choir is singing, they can sing in the front of the church with the organist near them, or in the back, up in the gallery or loft, with the organist near them if that's where they are.
@moller11739 : And tonally, the West Point instrument is the best of the three, IMHO.
Where is this particular instrument located? Is it still used for services on Sunday?
beautifull
FOR RELATED MESSAGES watch on this link
I wonder if there is a Houptwerk version of this particular pipe organ?
I am not sure, I can try to find out!
Evensong originally made a sample set of this organ, but sadly it is not for sale anymore.
The stop list shows a 64’ stop. Is that digital or resultant?
So American (I'm french) .... But I like it!
Did anyone notice that the organist is really quite good? Why all the jabber during such a performance?
what is the name of this song????
Eugene Gigout - Grand Choeur Dialogue
3:14 it's Robert De Niro haha
West Point cadet Chapel is larger, sorry, and all pipe not like your digitally enhanced organ.
You're on to the heart of it. Namely, can the great organs of this world be enhanced by electronic sound reproductions? I say yes. What say you, young Sky- Walker ?
While you may be technically correct, this is not an instrument to be sneezed at. it contains numerous rare pipes that can be heard nowhere else in the world. It was, for many years, the home of the Southern California organist Guild's annual concert series. If you ever have a chance, you should do a tour of the instrument. I am well familiar with this instrument, since I was a member of that church for over 50 years and an active choir member for nearly 40 years.
I have sadly grown to dislike massive pipe organs like this because of digital additions. I just find the idea of pipe organ being unable to move air without the aide of electronic voices depressing. It's a bit like having a massive steam locomotive like the Big Boy that has to rely on a diesel unit. Plus, I tend to find that people who advocate digital additions are not that interested in pipe organs.
Elle ne peut pas se taire ?
The sound it produces IS wonderful BUT it is too overdone, too much duplication of stops between all the organs and the acoustics are sad. Too much organ for the size of the congregation, for hymn singing or for most choral performances. Money to purchase and maintain could be better spent on the church's mission and community.
Come and listen to this organ in person.