The American Classic and Symphonic Organ

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THE “SYMPHONIC” OR “ROMANTIC” ORGAN (1900-1930)

The Symphonic Organ did just what its name implies, imitated the whole spectrum of symphonic sound. Symphonic organs were built in response to heightened interest in and availability of orchestral transcriptions for organ.

Characteristics of the Symphonic Organ:

  • Emphasis on orchestral solo effects
  • Extreme variations in volume
  • Strong color contrasts
  • Large scale Diapasons
  • Occasionally all divisions were enclosed
  • No mutations or mixtures
  • Pedal division could be relatively small

THE AMERICAN CLASSIC ORGAN (1930-1960’s)

The American Classic organ developed in the first half of the 20th century as a successor to the Symphonic Organ (or “Romantic” Organ) at the turn of the century.  Much of the 18th century European repertoire was being discovered and played for the first time in America from the late 1920-1950s. As Americans learned more about European organ literature and performance practices of the 18th century, organists were increasingly unsatisfied with the Symphonic Organ's ability to play 18th century organ music in an “authentic”  way, emulating the sound and  clarity of French and German organs, which had been around for a few hundred years in Europe. Thus began the evolution by American organ builders in the 1930s to build a more versatile instrument, which could build on the some of the 18th century principles, but still retain much of the beauty of the romantic organ, which was more symphonic in nature.

Characteristics of the American Classic Organ:

  • Versatility – try to combine tonal characteristics of modern instruments and 18th c instruments
  • Usually electropneumatic action
  • Unenclosed Pedal, Great, positiv
  • Enclosed swell
  • Clarity and transparency of tone
  • Mutations and mixtures properly voiced
  • Independent pedal
  • Sometimes a brilliant “French” reed chorus

This type of organ reached its zenith in the opus of the Aeolian-Skinner organ company which was located in Boston.  Notable Aeolian-Skinner Organs in Boston:

  • The Mother Church (Extension), The First Church of Christ, Scientist in Boston - 1952. The largest organ built by Aeolian-Skinner was designed under the direction of Lawrence Phelps with the express mandate that it could successfully play the music from any and all periods of the organ repertoire.
  • Church of the Advent at the foot of Boston's Beacon Hill.Trinity Church in Copley Square also contains a significant Aeolian-Skinner organ which also incorporates the pipework and much of the original E.M. Skinner organ in the rear.