There may be some truth to the comment made by MelosAntropon. The late Senator Richards, as legend has it, wanted to out do the Wanamaker organ and made no bones about it. Unfortunately he funded the AC organ with taxpayer dollars and, with the onset of the Great Depression, didn't fare well with his constituents. The organ was Midmer-Losh's magnum opus and only because they came in with the lowest bid. A smart move for it kept them in the black for a few of those early depression years.
Finally a satisfying display of this organ.... even finding photographs of the whole thing(as opposed to just the keyboard womb) is inexplicably difficult.
Wonderfully informative documentary excerpt. How grand it would be if they could have a statewide yearly telethon to raise the funds to totally restore this magnificent instrument. Perhaps the casinos could donate much needed monies. Surely there are musical non-profit organizations that could help as well.
@Zylstra555 The very large Kimball theater organ in the Ballroom is up and running. The console has been beautifully restored and the instrument is now playing. Restoration on the large Midmer-Losh in the main auditorium is moving forward but is most likely many years away from completion. If you wish to actually see the organs in person, ACCHOS provides tours. You can find out more information at: ACCHOS(dot)org
Simply amazing! Truly remarkable on every level. I can't imagine hearing and feeling music played by a single musician encompassing every frequency possible to the human ear and beyond...I hope one day to experience that low 64' stop. Technology way, way ahead of it's time!!! Thanks for posting this!!!! Steve
It is being restored. Progress is just really slow. The left stage chamber has a huge part of it removed and is being restored. The right stage chamber is still the only side that plays, portions of it still have issues. They are trying to replace the internal portions with more modern parts so that it will require less maintenance and be more reliable. I know the Curator through a good friend of mine and he says that it will be awhile before it is completely done.
from what I have read, its so far gone and damage to it is huge, I don't think the state or the City has the money to try to fix it, I think it will be known as the worlds biggest pipe organ that doesn't work, It sounds a bit of a "Theater Organ" I hope I'm wrong about it never getting redone,historically it would be wonderful
Do the traps still work? What about the pianos? Will they ever be reconnected? I am a theatre organist and am sure that there are some theatre ranks in there somewhere.
The organ was briefly the largest pipe organ in the world, but it has not been near fully operable in many years. No question it is impressive. But there is a reason the great concert organists do not record it - it isn't especially good. It was built from the early 20thcentury design concept of "Can You Top THIS??" Impressive - no question. High quality (tonally)? Not really.
@MelosAntropon Hello Melos. Have you actually *heard* the organ in person, toured the chambers to audition any of the pipes? Many of the world's leading organ builders will probably disagree with your assessment. When this instrument is fully restored I think you will change your mind. BTW the hall is over 9 million cubic square feet of space. Try using an average size organ to fill a space that big when 41,000 people are in there.
@peter1961m Peter, this excerpt is from a documentary film. If you want to hear the M-L uninterrupted, I encourage you to buy the audio CD; or better yet donate your money and time to the restoration effort; so someday you can hear the instrument live and in person. Anyone can spend 10-seconds posting arm chair commentaries; I've chosen to use my talent and time to promote this restoration. Whether an accountant, organ builder, millionaire or fan, we can all contribute *something* to the effort.
I always thought the Wannamaker was considered the world's Largest (?). I guess organs are like rollercoasters! Anyways, I would sooooooooo love to hear this organ in person (with an accomplished organist, of course!). Since I live in Indianapolis, I suppose my chances of this are few.
Thanks for the post..........interesting stuff, for sure!
@technocrash09 never say never.......i plan on seeing this at one point. I'm 47, live in Massachusetts. once i get my lover out of the way,,,(no, not going to shoot him, lol) i'll be making plans.... you should too.
I have the DVD of this well made video. It is awesome! This instrument needs to be publicly promoted as the national treasure it is, so that more people become aware of it. Atlantic City has a lot more going for it than its casinos.
@Jm4steam its being restored right now....my dads organ company is helping with it so i get to work on it to....in about 9 years it will be playing again...i know its a long time but it will be worth the wait
Is that 64' pipe they are showing at 9:10 and afterwards a Diaphone? It is made of wood, square, and tapers out towards the top. They state that it is more felt than heard. Reminds me of the 32'' diaphone at the Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, AZ.
The 64 is a hybred pipe stop, the lowest ones are diaphone, the others are reed, and from what an organist tells me origionaly the stop was supposed to be both and could be switched to eaither or but they could not make it work so some were made diaphone and some reed they are on 30 inches of wind I was told by someone that took video of the organ or was it 50 inches of wind, the grand is 100 inches which i think they said is about 3 psi
@VyseAcher Hi Archer. Possibly you have hardware problems? I have rechecked the audio level and it is correct. Did you check the volume controls on both the Youtube player window and your computer?
I'll be the first to comment. What an amazing documentary on my favorite Pipe Organ, highly educational and informative. Tho I would hate to be a critic here, I wish they would've shown more of the actual organ itself, i.e. such as its current state of condition, all of the heavy bass stops, the infamous grand ophicleide and it's thunderous roar, etc. Tho I look forward to another video, take this comment into consideration.
Back in the day, when Senators were commissioning organs...
littlevenemousdragon 5 days ago
I would love to pull out all the stops!
untensil 6 days ago
There may be some truth to the comment made by MelosAntropon. The late Senator Richards, as legend has it, wanted to out do the Wanamaker organ and made no bones about it. Unfortunately he funded the AC organ with taxpayer dollars and, with the onset of the Great Depression, didn't fare well with his constituents. The organ was Midmer-Losh's magnum opus and only because they came in with the lowest bid. A smart move for it kept them in the black for a few of those early depression years.
allegheny48 1 week ago
Finally a satisfying display of this organ.... even finding photographs of the whole thing(as opposed to just the keyboard womb) is inexplicably difficult.
PlanetMan77 2 weeks ago
@PlanetMan77 More videos of the Midmer-Losh organ can be found on my YouTube channel including the Hess Photo collection montage.
VicFerrer 2 weeks ago
Wonderfully informative documentary excerpt. How grand it would be if they could have a statewide yearly telethon to raise the funds to totally restore this magnificent instrument. Perhaps the casinos could donate much needed monies. Surely there are musical non-profit organizations that could help as well.
music784151 1 month ago
I was told that the helicopter was used to fly Miss America around shortly after she was crowned. The 64' diaphone sounds like a helicopter.
jimamia77 1 month ago
What recent progress have they made with the instrument? I'd love to visit it someday.
Zylstra555 1 month ago
@Zylstra555 The very large Kimball theater organ in the Ballroom is up and running. The console has been beautifully restored and the instrument is now playing. Restoration on the large Midmer-Losh in the main auditorium is moving forward but is most likely many years away from completion. If you wish to actually see the organs in person, ACCHOS provides tours. You can find out more information at: ACCHOS(dot)org
Vic -
VicFerrer 1 month ago
Hauptwerk audio engineers... sample this beast before it dies. Good luck recording that 64' stop @ 8Hz ! Do any microphones even go that low?
bryceguy72 1 month ago
Simply amazing! Truly remarkable on every level. I can't imagine hearing and feeling music played by a single musician encompassing every frequency possible to the human ear and beyond...I hope one day to experience that low 64' stop. Technology way, way ahead of it's time!!! Thanks for posting this!!!! Steve
beedoe51 1 month ago
It is being restored. Progress is just really slow. The left stage chamber has a huge part of it removed and is being restored. The right stage chamber is still the only side that plays, portions of it still have issues. They are trying to replace the internal portions with more modern parts so that it will require less maintenance and be more reliable. I know the Curator through a good friend of mine and he says that it will be awhile before it is completely done.
MultiBlue75 2 months ago
from what I have read, its so far gone and damage to it is huge, I don't think the state or the City has the money to try to fix it, I think it will be known as the worlds biggest pipe organ that doesn't work, It sounds a bit of a "Theater Organ" I hope I'm wrong about it never getting redone,historically it would be wonderful
califdad4 2 months ago
I know the reasons why we can't restore this amazing beast right now, but...C'MON!!! Anybody got a few million bucks to spend?
keymaster013 3 months ago
@keymaster013 Anything is possible.
VicFerrer 1 month ago
Do the traps still work? What about the pianos? Will they ever be reconnected? I am a theatre organist and am sure that there are some theatre ranks in there somewhere.
The2010SnowDay 3 months ago
it is an very niice organ herirtage
I think from germs´nx .. i livi it and play evry sundy on a "SCHOTT2 Organ but is nice to mee. Keep on foing to excersise this great on !! :-D
KellyBHV 3 months ago
The organ was briefly the largest pipe organ in the world, but it has not been near fully operable in many years. No question it is impressive. But there is a reason the great concert organists do not record it - it isn't especially good. It was built from the early 20thcentury design concept of "Can You Top THIS??" Impressive - no question. High quality (tonally)? Not really.
MelosAntropon 3 months ago 3
@MelosAntropon Hello Melos. Have you actually *heard* the organ in person, toured the chambers to audition any of the pipes? Many of the world's leading organ builders will probably disagree with your assessment. When this instrument is fully restored I think you will change your mind. BTW the hall is over 9 million cubic square feet of space. Try using an average size organ to fill a space that big when 41,000 people are in there.
VicFerrer 3 months ago
i would rather have listened to the organ itself instead of a bunch of people
talking, talking, talking, talking, talking, talking about ten and a half minutes.
peter1961m 3 months ago 3
@peter1961m Peter, this excerpt is from a documentary film. If you want to hear the M-L uninterrupted, I encourage you to buy the audio CD; or better yet donate your money and time to the restoration effort; so someday you can hear the instrument live and in person. Anyone can spend 10-seconds posting arm chair commentaries; I've chosen to use my talent and time to promote this restoration. Whether an accountant, organ builder, millionaire or fan, we can all contribute *something* to the effort.
VicFerrer 3 months ago
A national treasure for every future generation. Unique sounds and a remarkable history which compels investigation. **********
Glenn
FromHolbergsTime 4 months ago
wtf why is there a helicopter in that theatre
thats not where helicopters go
lopezrawelf 4 months ago
@lopezrawelf why not? looks like a big hangar so why not a helicopter.
locke11216 2 months ago
69 likes? o.O
HIVOLTAGEZzz 4 months ago
I always thought the Wannamaker was considered the world's Largest (?). I guess organs are like rollercoasters! Anyways, I would sooooooooo love to hear this organ in person (with an accomplished organist, of course!). Since I live in Indianapolis, I suppose my chances of this are few.
Thanks for the post..........interesting stuff, for sure!
peace
technocrash09 5 months ago
@technocrash09 never say never.......i plan on seeing this at one point. I'm 47, live in Massachusetts. once i get my lover out of the way,,,(no, not going to shoot him, lol) i'll be making plans.... you should too.
bfs1888 5 months ago
I have the DVD of this well made video. It is awesome! This instrument needs to be publicly promoted as the national treasure it is, so that more people become aware of it. Atlantic City has a lot more going for it than its casinos.
acoustics101 6 months ago
Thank you for sharing this!
keyboardjeff 7 months ago
me too that is my goal in this mammoth to see,hear,and also to played
joha750 8 months ago in playlist organ
me too that is my amdition to see,hear and also to played this Mammoth
joha750 8 months ago in playlist organ
Wow! "King of Instruments" this would be my worlds ambition to see, hear, & play this!
cornwall59 8 months ago
yeah - but I only have 2 hands and 2 feet! Also I don't know of any organ music that needs so many - is it not just a gimmick to have the biggest?
john1801rambo 10 months ago
crikey - how do you play 7 manuals?
john1801rambo 11 months ago
@john1801rambo same as playing two, three, four, five and 6......
3dwurli 11 months ago
Thanks for this posting, it made me feel good on a rainy day.
MANTLEBERG 1 year ago
What's is the status of the instrument? Completely restored, starting?
Jm4steam 1 year ago
@Jm4steam its being restored right now....my dads organ company is helping with it so i get to work on it to....in about 9 years it will be playing again...i know its a long time but it will be worth the wait
notredameswarrior1 1 year ago
Is that 64' pipe they are showing at 9:10 and afterwards a Diaphone? It is made of wood, square, and tapers out towards the top. They state that it is more felt than heard. Reminds me of the 32'' diaphone at the Organ Stop Pizza in Mesa, AZ.
This is a really great video. Thanks for posting!
tempetiger 1 year ago
@tempetiger Yes.
Brandotuomikoski 1 year ago
The 64 is a hybred pipe stop, the lowest ones are diaphone, the others are reed, and from what an organist tells me origionaly the stop was supposed to be both and could be switched to eaither or but they could not make it work so some were made diaphone and some reed they are on 30 inches of wind I was told by someone that took video of the organ or was it 50 inches of wind, the grand is 100 inches which i think they said is about 3 psi
manga12 6 months ago
¡Impresionante! este monumental Órgano de Iglesia. Me gustaría saber su precio.
Un saludo desde Barcelona (España).
V. Lecha.
lechanavarro 1 year ago
Vic, Audio level is low. How do you monitor the output level?
VyseAcher 1 year ago
@VyseAcher Hi Archer. Possibly you have hardware problems? I have rechecked the audio level and it is correct. Did you check the volume controls on both the Youtube player window and your computer?
VicFerrer 1 year ago
this needs to be restored.
fourstar7 1 year ago
I'll be the first to comment. What an amazing documentary on my favorite Pipe Organ, highly educational and informative. Tho I would hate to be a critic here, I wish they would've shown more of the actual organ itself, i.e. such as its current state of condition, all of the heavy bass stops, the infamous grand ophicleide and it's thunderous roar, etc. Tho I look forward to another video, take this comment into consideration.
Many thanks!
-Levi S.
poopingeneral 1 year ago