Professor.Ham.Slap Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 All I can say is wow. My friends and I have been on a road trip for the past week (PA to Florida and back) and we spent the day in downtown Philadelphia today. While there, we dropped in on the Lord & Taylor Store for the noon concert. The aesthetics of the organ itself were pretty impressive, but the amount of power, smoothness and clarity is simply unmatched by any other instrument I have ever heard. As an added bonus, the larger pipe ranks cut through your chest like you wouldn't believe. I also liked the organ's ability to play the quieter passages with clarity while still being able to bellow out the powerful movements. Honestly, I cannot recommend *edit* enough *edit* stopping in for a listen yourself if you like pipe organs and you're in the Philadelphia area. They always have two daily concerts so catch one in the early afternoon or evening. Unfortunately I didn't recognize all the pieces played so I am not able to give a piece by piece breakdown. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Honestly, I cannot recommend stopping in for a listen yourself if you like pipe organs and you're in the Philadelphia area. Ok, then I won't. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 ah lord & taylor pipe organs. I rememer there was quite a history with them BTW when you said roadtrip you meant *spirng break* [] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DizRotus Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Honestly, I cannot recommend *edit* enough *edit* stopping in for a listen yourself if you like pipe organs and you're in the Philadelphia area. OK, then I will. It would go well with a trip to Bookbinder's or a cheese steak. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gilbert Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Thanks for the info Professor....next time I get to stay over in Philly (and if I remeber this...Lord & Taylor name), I will want to check this out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRBILL Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Just as a footnote: Department store pipe organs are all the rage in Japan now. My old firm, Casavant, has done some. One that comes to mind has a hooded trumpet rank made to resemble a chrysanthemum in the façade. DRBILL Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Hearing recordings of this fine instrument through a pair of Klipsch is impressive enough...imagine actually being there during a concert performance! You won't find anything like this at your local shopping mall... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 http://theatreorgans.com/laird/top.pipe.organs.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fanbrain Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 I was JUST going to add that the Wanamaker organ is the worlds largest FULLY OPERATIONAL pipe organ. The Atlantic City Auditorium organ is larger, but not fully functional. Come to think of it, I have never heard the Wanamaker organ. Does anyone know of any good recordings? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boomac Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 Seeing that eagle brings back memories. Every Christmas season we used to go downtown Philly to shop. Where would we all meet. At the Wanamaker Eagle, of course. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 I think I should go for a visit being that Philly is pretty close to where I live. On my to do list, on top of TRYING TO TAKE OVER THE WORLD![] Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MD1032 Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 If you liked the Wanamaker, you have to go to France and hear some of the organs they have there. St Sulpice and Notre-Dame among others. Their reeds are the best. Period. They also have a knack for making large-scale 32' Contra Bombardes. But we have some pretty nice ones right here too. Go onto the AGO NYC site and go to some concerts. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackbean53 Posted March 11, 2006 Share Posted March 11, 2006 i work for a company that does the fixtures in the lord and taylor stores, philly has always been a favorite. i would say even better than their n.y. store i've had the pleasure of being there many a time to hear that fantastic sound. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jt1stcav Posted March 12, 2006 Share Posted March 12, 2006 I was JUST going to add that the Wanamaker organ is the worlds largest FULLY OPERATIONAL pipe organ. The Atlantic City Auditorium organ is larger, but not fully functional. Come to think of it, I have never heard the Wanamaker organ. Does anyone know of any good recordings? http://search.store.yahoo.com/cgi-bin/nsearch?catalog=gothic&query=wanamaker&.autodone=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.gothicrecords.com%2F Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jackbean53 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 hate to say it but if you want to hear it better go fast the store will be closed whether or not the organ will remain playing is up in the air but next week the fixtures start to go. although it will reopen as a macy's Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted March 14, 2006 Share Posted March 14, 2006 WHAT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Uhh i'm on spring break time to go do some road trip! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Professor.Ham.Slap Posted March 15, 2006 Author Share Posted March 15, 2006 hate to say it but if you want to hear it better go fast the store will be closed whether or not the organ will remain playing is up in the air but next week the fixtures start to go. although it will reopen as a macy's Jeeze... Glad I went in when I did then. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
customsteve01 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 When I was in Paris a few years ago and went into Notre-Dame, they were playing the organ. Talk about an awesome sound, it sent chills down my spine. Steve Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DRBILL Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 Nagoya, Japan Matsuzakaya Department Store Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jay481985 Posted March 15, 2006 Share Posted March 15, 2006 i wonder why all these department stores have organs... I mean I know back then it was made to attract customers..... but today I associate pipe organs with church which I percieve as a sort of heresy to have something associated with church and another with spending money Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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