Seibert Losh's Descendents Play His Giant Pipe Organ

Two great-grandsons of Seibert Losh playing the pipe organ that he built in the Atlantic City Convention Hall, which is still the world's largest musical instrument and was a major technological accomplishment at the time.

Category:

Science & Technology

Tags:

• Atlantic
• City
• Convention
• Hall
• Organ
• Seibert
• Losh

[caliopterix]

This is all rather sad. Siebert Losh was eventually banned from the auditorium and escorted out of the building (ordered by Sen. Richards) by Atlantic City Police or the Auditorium Guards according to whose story you believe. Now his descendants are playing with the mangled organ like it's a toy. I find this very disturbing.

[lizlosh]

I think his descendants, perhaps better than most, are cognizant of this tragic history and its conflicting narratives.

We hardly think of it as a toy. I write about auditory culture and have published many articles and a forthcoming book from MIT Press about media history. My older son, who appears here, studies electronic music and was chosen as one of 63 kids in a nation-wide search for intensive study at the Grammy foundation. We take this very seriously.

[KE5RHD]

Trump is rarely ever for heritage and legacies. He's in it for the quick buck and turnover. If he had his way, the whole instrument would be removed for scrap metal value. Just look what he did to The Ambassador Hotel in L.A. Its gone and a billion dollar unusable school sits in its place.

[glenn3rd2004]

We need to take whatever steps necessary to fully restore and preserve the Midmer Losh pipe organ on the Boardwalk of Atlantic City, NJ. I am dismayed that some of this organ's parts were sold for scrap. The local, State, and Federal governments as well as some rich benefactors need to declare the Midmer Losh organ a national landmark and national treasure and their full resources be utilized to fully restore, preserve, and maintain this magnificent pipe organ for generations to come.

[jmdavison62]

@caliopterix When you say that "his descendants are playing with the mangled organ like it's a toy," I'm sure you don't mean that they are treating the instrument in an inappropriate manner or with any disrespect. There is nothing objectionable about what these kids were doing. They're certainly not causing further damage.

[jmdavison62]

@caliopterix When you say that "his descendants are playing with the mangled organ like it's a toy," I'm sure you don't mean that they are treating the instrument in an inappropriate manner or with any disrespect. There is nothing objectionable about what these kids were doing. They're certainly not causing further damage.

[jmdavison62]

@caliopterix When you say that "his descendants are playing with the mangled organ like it's a toy," I'm sure you don't mean that they are treating the instrument in an inappropriate manner or with any disrespect. There is nothing objectionable about what these kids were doing.

At the time that recording was made, there were ciphers galore, and the stops you're hearing were badly out of tune.

[greenspacesforever]

@Sesquiltera -- I think it's great. If this doesn't inspire someone to want to master the instrument, what will. After playing around with the stops, etc... when an organist sits and produces glorious sound, who wouldn't want to study and be able to do the same?

[greenspacesforever]

@danielmkubacki - With due respect, this kind of comment is one of the reasons why we don't have an abundance of organists playing for church services in rural (and many urban) parishes. The organ is locked up to "protect" it. When kids want to try to play the organ after mass, I welcome it. Draw some pedal stops and a manual chorus + reed. Noise - perhaps, but it is a "joyful noise" that one day may lead to a career as a professional or volunteer organist. You can't touch it, why bother-sad.

[warlockmohl]

I think its important to remember that they are kids. If you take any child who doesn't play an instrument to any organ anywhere this is what the result would be. As tragic as this great organ's condition is that fact that it's being played at all is a step in the right direction. The only way anyone is going to feel any better about it is by putting forth an effort in helping further it's restoration. Is it so bad if this video inspires at least one person to help? That's what's important.

[Sesquiltera]

@lizlosh Then why are so many people here saddened by what they're doing with it? With all due respect (and almost tears in my eyes concerning that tragic story) why do many of us get the idea they are raping it?

[mitchtay99]

Click the soccer ball button to make it sound better

[danielmkubacki]

WOW I don't like this organ but no organ should be played like this.

[Tom1980nj]

I have a sample of it going on my you tube site.