A Look At The Famous Wanamaker Organ At Macy's Philadelphia

Joe Holden reports.

[@Jiuhuashan]

Not every day that one sees a TV journalist playing a pipe organ, let alone this one. Well done Joe Holden.

[@richardharrold9736]

And not badly too... I'm guessing that wasn't his first experience of playing an organ!

[@gatlinarturo1102]

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[@nathanaellee8356]

A beautiful,iconic and landmark American pipe organ. The Wanamaker Organ is truly an American gem and I am very glad she has been preserved and is played on a regular basis. Dr Peter Conte is a wonderful organist.

[@pilotusa]

The TV journalist is an accomplished organist, too! I am VERY impressed!

[@ScottPiepenburg]

Agreed! Most impressive especially with the comment about "a kid in a candy store." To play on that instrument is truly exciting.

[@anotherhumanbeingblyat8935]

Most musicians: I play the piano, gutiar, etc. The organist of the Wanamaker Organ: I play a building.

[@danielmkubacki]

Nice playing Joe. I love the Wanamaker Organ.

[@Lanersism]

Always marveled at the light show spectacle and was nice to see what’s behind the curtain producing that massive sound. Great story and what an experience both for the 4th organist since 1911 and the news reporter.

[@tonyfussy5720]

I wish I’d remembered about this organ when I was in Philly about 10 years ago…next time!! And great playing by the anchor!

[@gavincurtis]

Beautiful. When the building IS the instrument, you got it big.

[@neillist5517]

Listen to Virgil Fox playing Bach's Come sweet Death on this organ. The best arrangement and most awesome organ performance ever. You'll be in tears

[@nathanaellee8356]

The Wanamaker Department Store organ is the second largest pipe organ in the world and is the world’s largest completely playable organ. It is an iconic instrument indeed. Located in Atlantic City,New Jersey’s Boardwalk Hall Auditorium is the great Midmer-Losh organ the world’s largest pipe organ in existence. The Boardwalk Hall organ is currently in the process of being completely restored and rebuilt and will be 100% playable by 2026. When restored it will once again be the world’s largest playable instrument with the iconic Wanamaker organ retaining its second place status. Two very unique,distinctive and iconic organs less than six hours from each other.

[@leatherman88ch]

This is one of the very few department stores left in the United States that Macy's bought at Macy's kept almost every other department store except for Macy's Philadelphia and Macy's Chicago the downtown history is gone so let's always remember and enjoy why we can for we don't know what the future holds for Macy's company

[@Sonicsurgerynj]

Incredible instrument..and such dedication to keep it up and running!!

[@okidogi796]

I want to visit so badly!!! Thank you for capturing the magic 🪄

[@abandawon]

Wow! That was Sweet to See!!! And that Reporter getting a chance to play 'Baby'!

[@drippinglass]

Wow! That sounds beautiful! Very kool Joe! 👍😀

[@brega6286]

Keep this magnificent treasure safe from the city ! Philadelphia...you know what I am saying I hope.

[@saltyaircrazyhair7269]

I'm so glad I looked this up. How neat! I hope he teaches someone else to play it.

[@leatherman88ch]

And people looking at this if you don't realize that department store is the department store that mannequin was filmed in

[@CarlosVazquez-p4c]

Santa 🎅. I Wish for a Wanamaker Organ in my living room.

[@organist1982]

Very nice, but why are we hearing "Silent Night" played on a Hammond electronic organ instead of this amazing pipe organ???

[@gerardhawkins17]

Sounds like Virgil Fox being it’s like a child in a candy factory

[@brianradom6331]

I discovered the organ in the 1970s when poor tragic KIND humble maestro Keith Chapman was organist and SSSSO pleasant!!! I a ccidentally found Conte to be regretfully rather fulll of himself the 2000s I'm surprisd Conte would allow the reporter at baby's console at all.....I regretfully havnt returned, I so miss baby, sh has to be experienced live in person in the store!!!

[@RxTx88]

Awesome!

[@rogersteigleman4785]

2:46 How. Long. Did. It. Take. To. Restore. This. Organ ? Roget. Steigleman

[@hansgebhard751]

Silent night

[@rhettrobinson1361]

I hear silent night

[@organist1982]

Yeah, but why on a Hammond???

[@Organham4903]

I think a gap registration was used. It doesn’t sound quite like a hammond

[@ikonix360]

Correction. Largest fully playable organ.

[@Holobrine]

What’s the largest partially playable organ?

[@jakedarmstadter6943]

@@Holobrine well it depends how you decide how it’s considered the largest organ. This organ has 28,750 pipes but the organ at Atlantic City convention hall has over 33,000 pipes! But the Wanamaker organ has more ranks and weighs about 150 tons more than the convention hall organ!

[@jakedarmstadter6943]

@@Holobrine The convention hall just over 50% playable but that’s still a very big amount!! There are actually two pipe organs in the convention hall and in the Wanamaker department store, they are both theatre organs.