1922 E.M. Skinner Organ - St. Luke's Episcopal Church - Evanston, Illinois

[@waltstrony5382]

Wonderful! I took lessons at St. Luke's from Karel Paukert in the early 70s. I've seen this organ go through some dark years and am delighted that it has been restored close to its original spec. I also knew William H. Barnes in my youth - what a character he was! Thanks for this delightful demonstration!

[@anonymmuss7090]

We need a Hauptwerk-Sample of this Organ!

[@darrenwilliams4828]

The Celeste on the choir div. is incredibly beautiful. 15:27

[@markkonchan5468]

The finest organ in the Midwest. Many wonderful memories of recitals and services. A true treasure!

[@OrganistProTemp]

There is nothing like a good E.M. Skinner, Aeolian-Skinner and Austin Organs! Gorgeous sounds!

[@roberthoffhines5419]

Lucille! Great to hear her again. She was part of my Sunday life way back in the 90s.

[@principals16842]

When Mr. Morey demonstrated the Solo Philomelo 8' with tremolo at 39:06, I thought for a moment he might be playing the Star Trek (1967) theme. What a sumptuous and gorgeous instrument this is, and he certainly showed it off to great advantage!

[@PDGMorey]

Though the Star Trek one was unintentional, there are a number of quotes from various organ and symphonic literature! Thanks for listening!

[@louisglen1653]

Very nice organ! Peter also explained and demonstrated various aspects of the organ quite nicely! Thanks for playing a nice piece for that organ!

[@roberthovencamp]

Always was, and still is the best organ in Chicago. Thanks for another excellent presentation Brent!

[@alerchen]

Tonally, this is a very special instrument and a treat to sing with in the choir every week!

[@johnruiz8758]

15 years ago, I played it. It's a delightful organ!

[@franklinshouse8719]

This is a wonderful video. The organ is fantastic. And the demonstration was top notch. Thanks.

[@goofyrulez7914]

There is nothing more beautiful, and powerful, than a pipe organ!

[@JOHN-tk6vl]

Quite magnificent.

[@ChristianPinnock-u5c]

That's why it's called the KING of instruments

[@goofyrulez7914]

@@ChristianPinnock-u5c - Although, being beautiful, maybe it should be called the "Queen" of instruments? 🙂

[@stepheneggert9474]

Bradford organ company used to take care of that skinner as I recall. John Peters I knew for many yrs R.I.P.

[@EElgar1857]

An awesome organ, beautifully demonstrated! That chamber tour was scary, at least for someone (like me!) with a fear of heights. When I was young, I thought I wanted to be an organ builder; then I saw the high places they have to work, and knew I could never do it.

[@organlover1988]

Same here. That's the main thing that keeps me from pursuing that is my fear of heights.

[@generalcancel]

Exquisite timbres and colors - many of which bring a lump to the throat and/or a tear to the eye.

[@ABruckner8]

Wow, just the principal demonstration is enough to melt your ears.

[@michaelcox9719]

Such an outstanding instrument of its period. This organ would give any English instrument of the same period a run for its money. Certainly equal to the Arthur Harrison at St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol.

[@williamsimonds5429]

Awesome Organ and great demonstrator.

[@ericgarner6175]

One of the better organs and demonstrations you've brought to this chanel Brent. Really enjoyable. A perfect example of the best era of American organ building.

[@WilliamMitchell-sc3fe]

I love that Bombarde in the pedal! 🎆🎇💥

[@ChristianPinnock-u5c]

It's a 32 bombarde

[@WilliamMitchell-sc3fe]

​​@@ChristianPinnock-u5c😁💯💥🎇🎉🥳✨🌟⭐💫⚡🪅🎊

[@kontrahylian]

This organ is absolutely tremendous, that Dulcet in the choir division is to die for. It is just pure rosin. I also love the diversity of celestes and soft coloured stops. I have to admit this instrument is what I would call “Mystical Symphonic” because it has a lot of otherworldly tonalities but also a ton of majesty especially when Peter Morey improvises on “King of Glory King of Peace” during the chamber tour. I have to say there is really only one other instrument that dare I say has the same amount of grace, power and poetry and that is The Newberry Memorial Organ at Woolsey Hall on the campus at Yale.

[@garygreen7552]

I love your videos, and I am impressed by your dexterity and courage in climbing through these organ chambers! At this time I could not doe what you do. My experience in organ chambers is limited to a small 3-manual 19 rank instrument that had two pipe chambers with the blower in the basement. Thank you.

[@dragonpullman23]

If you are going to be in the northern area of Chicago, you might want to do a video on the 1995 Casavant at St. Francis Catholic Church in Wilmette, IL.

[@Tracygriffith-dz2ys]

Very nice organ and nice sound

[@terryfarroworgan]

Thanks!

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Nice job. If Skinner designed this himself it would not have such developed choruses. Rosary Cathedral was still 10 years in the future. When are you visiting Toledo?

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Wonder and I remember climbing the ladder behind me and getting up in the Swell with a little bit of concern !

[@bachtehude2437]

The Great and Pedal Combinations Coupled accessory is a ubiquitous feature of organs in the UK. Such a simple, yet incredibly useful feature

[@thomaswalters4365]

I'd be happy to find out when builders stopped including Aeolines. I'm curious too.

[@mikemitchell5435]

The mechanical systems in the movie palaces of the 20's were very quiet and, in my experience, this was true in churches for many decades. Modern humming lights, sound systems, and mechanical noise preclude the ability to hear the subtleties of aeolines. I can't provide a date, but, along with changing tastes, I certainly think these issues ended the inclusion of such soft ranks in stoplists.

[@TruckguyTruckguy]

excellent

[@deetrix]

Wowww ❤

[@Silkari]

What is the piece being played right at the beginning?

[@OrganMediaFoundation]

It is an improvisation by Mr. Morey.

[@bombarde1701a]

JAV produced a beautiful CD from here

[@PDGMorey]

There are several JAV recordings here: Richard Webster, Ken Cowan, Stephen Tharp, and Todd Wilson. All wonderful!

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Thanks!!

[@ChristianPinnock-u5c]

The pipe organ you either love it or hate it 😅

[@randyterry9672]

Didn't Corboin design this one?

[@PDGMorey]

As far as records indicate, the stop list was devised by Herbert Hyde along with William Zeuch. Joseph Bonnet consulted on the spec list as well (Hyde studied with Widor and Bonnet).

[@DrpanProductions]

So I am not well versed on organ manufacturers. What is the difference between an Aeolian Skinner and an EM Skinner organ? Was Skinner the primary builder?

[@OrganMediaFoundation]

E. M. Sinner existed as a company from 1901 until 1932 when it merged to form Aeolian-Skinner. Mr Skinner left the company and after a period continued to build organs under his name, but not at the level that he did before the merger.

[@drbobdrake]

[Wikipedia] Æolian-Skinner Organ Company, Inc. of Boston, Massachusetts was an American builder of a large number of pipe organs from its inception as the Skinner Organ Company in 1901 until its closure in 1972. Key figures were Ernest M. Skinner (1866-1960), Arthur Hudson Marks (1875-1939), Joseph Silver Whiteford (1921-1978), and G. Donald Harrison (1889-1956). The company was formed from the merger of the Skinner Organ Company and the pipe organ division of the Æolian Company in 1932."

[@DrpanProductions]

@@OrganMediaFoundation ah Okay. I kinda figured that was the case

[@michaelcox9719]

You have got to be joking!

[@peterfennema3112]

A beautiful instrument, but in true American Classic tradition, incapable of effectively playing most organ literature, excepting maybe that of Leo Sowerby.

[@DM11235]

Most European organs are way too upper work heavy, borderline screech and or squelch. Even a fair number of American organs builders do the same.