Weisflog shows off restored organ at Rockefeller Chapel

From the University of Chicago news office: Restored at a cost of $2.1 million, the Rockefeller Chapel organ now has 8,565 pipes, more than 132 ranks (sets), making it the largest instrument in Chicago. "The sound will be earth-shattering," said Weisflog. "The building will literally shake."
Built in the 1920s by master American organ-maker Ernest M. Skinner, for the then-staggering cost of $76,500, the massive organ—with pipes soaring as high as four stories—was originally the model of the perfect Romantic sound. It was one of Skinner's four University organs; the others are Yale, Michigan and Princeton. When it debuted in 1928, the Skinner Opus 634 boasted 6,980 organ pipes distributed over 108 ranks, ranging in speaking length from 3/8 inch to 32 feet. More at http://news.uchicago.edu/news.php?asset_id=1384

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Classical
• pipe
• organ
• Rockefeller
• Chapel
• Chicago
• E.M.
• Skinner

[pertencoacristo]

Rockefeller is a Anglican Episcopal Church in Chicago?

[iamrepete]

No,it is non-denominational, I think.

[cltpython]

I had the pleasure of working on the chapel last year, theyre re-tuning the bells and the place is HUGE andbeatiful, One of the larger CARALONS up high is like 12 feet in Diam. its got rockfellers name stamped on the largest bell in memorium of his mother, 1927 apx, just a beautiful place

[cltpython]

J D rockefeller was a baptist, but the chapel in non-denom

[silverstartrucker]

Superb sound.

[Shogunmiyuchan]

Nothing like a bit of Vierne ^_^

[spootyrat]

Just had to have a chamade added.... Ugghhh

[DesireeDeFete]

WONDERFUL! I am so glad to see this Organ back in full playing capacity. This, along with Yale and St Thomas Chruch New York are my favorite Skinners! There's loads of Lumber in this organ. the photos of the pipes are great, and I think more builders need to go back to basics...put more wooden pipes in the organs and they are simply more musical.

[iamrepete]

All I will say is come hear it played by Dame Gillian Weir on October 2,2008 if you are able. Her program will include Messiaen's Messe de la Pentacoste, interspersed with movements by J.S. Bach and Couperin, which comment on the same liturgical ideas. Also included are Liszt's St. Francis Walking on the Waves and Toccatas by Peeters, Slonimsky, Mushel, and Lanquetuit.