The day began with a visit at The First Church of Christ, Scientist, also known as "The Mother Church." The iconic 1952 Aeolian-Skinner organ was the brain child of tonal director Larry Phelps. It is the largest organ built by Aeolian-Skinner at 237 ranks. It is a fine example of the "eclectic" organ being built at that time.
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| Console of Mother Church |
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| Facade of Mother Church |
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| View from top of Mother Church facade back into the auditorium. |
Across the street from the Mother Church is Boston's Symphony Hall. It is home to the Boston Symphony and the Boston Pops Orchestras. The organ is Aeolian-Skinner Opus 1134 and was renovated by the Foley-Baker firm in 2004. Mike Foley was our tour guide for The Mother Church and Symphony Hall. One of the features of this organ is the restoration to it of an open wood rank in the pedal division. Mike was especially proud of how quickly the pitch was produced in the lowest ranges. It is said that the BSO gets a thrill out of the sound when these low 32' pipes are engaged!
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| Organ in Boston Symphony Hall |
The Church of the Advent, also in Boston, is home to a landmark Aeolian-Skinner of modest size. This Anglo-Catholic parish has a long tradition of superior music accompanied by this delightful organ.
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| High Altar of Church of the Advent, Boston |
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| Facade of Aeolian-Skinner at Church of the Advent, Boston |
The next stop was a pilgrimage for me. Housed in Busch Hall at Harvard University is the Flentrop organ on which E. Power Biggs recorded many times. These recordings were the first pipe organ recordings I ever heard and we wore out the vinyl. I felt Biggs' presence as I played a little Mozart piece for organ flutes that is the first piece in the "Biggs Organ Book." Click here for the video. Randy Elkins at Busch Hall
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