Inside the 1913 Möller IV/36 Pipe Organ

Exploring the Möller four-manual, 36-rank Pipe organ inside the Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum in Buffalo, NY.

The Karpeles Manuscript Library Museum North Hall is the former site of the First Church of Christ, Scientist.

This beautiful instrument remains largely unplayed these days. However, surprisingly, remains very playable. It was a featured instrument during the Organ Historical Society National Convention of 2004, which was likely the last time it may have been tuned or serviced. The tuning is horrible, but this instrument, combined with impressive acoustics sounds wonderful.

I really enjoy bringing the life back into these forgotten instruments.

Listen to Peter play Bach Fugue in G-minor BWV 542, while I explore the sanctuary and organ chambers.

Pardon the poor video quality, it was taken on my iPhone.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Moller
• Pipe Organ
• Organ
• Keyboard
• Karpeles
• Bach
• BWV 542

[mpsnknox]

It looks like a 1950's moller console....

[JoelScottK]

@mpsnknox it is. It has not been modified either.

[Organgrinder1010]

It's in remarkably good shape considering how little care it's been given. Well-played. Lovely room, too.

[JoelScottK]

@Organgrinder1010 Yes it certainly is in remarkably good shape. I have been amazed. I guess it's a testament to Moller's build quality. My friend Peter is the organist here. He's a talented guy, and fellow music student in the Buffalo area.

[goodchappy]

Unusual that the organ pipes are not visible, maybe that is one reason why it is not played much....people don't realise it is there.

[JoelScottK]

@goodchappy I'm sure this might be a reason. Although at this time in history, along with architectural trends, and the trends of this denomination, most of their pipe organs were screened. However, you are correct that many folks do not realize it is there.

[Chesterbarnes1]

What a shame a wonderful ORGAN is this manitude goes unplayed and unkept. I wish I could OWN it.

[schuldistkult]

Wär ja recht interessant, aber bei den Kameraschwenk´s wird mir schlecht....

[JoelScottK]

@palref:

I apologize for the jerkiness. This was taken on my old iPhone 4, after I got it. At that time, Apple had not made improvements to the video capturing.

As I understand it, this console is original from the most recent rebuild. (1954 I believe.)

[palref]

Nice music; it's not the picture quality that's a problem, but I got seasick the way you kept jerking from spot to spot rapidly. The console appears to be a much newer replacement console.

[palref]

Nice music; it's not the picture quality that's a problem, but I got seasick the way you kept jerking from spot to spot rapidly.