National Anthem | Restoration of the Largest Pipe Organ in the World | Boardwalk Hall Atlantic City

February of 2017 | Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ is the largest pipe organ in the world. It was built in the 1920s by the Midmer-Losh Organ Company.
You ask why such a massive pipe organ? Well in 1920 how would fill a building like this with sound? Amplified Sound was just in its infancy. To fill a building like this you would have to hire an orchestra. The argument was one organist would save money vs. hiring an orchestra. After the 1944 hurriance the pipe organ fell silent. Funds for its repair were used for repair of the public address system. The organ barely worked for years. When I played it in 2009 it barely did much of anything.
What is about to go back on line, that isn't playing is even more impressive. The quality of the work that I saw is 1st class. The group doing the work here is the same group that took the Wanamaker Organ from sounding awful, with just the string organ playing, to being magnificent! The Wanamaker Organ is the second largest pipe organ in the world.
Every six months we will go to Boardwalk Hall to document the restoration of the world's largest organ. This organ is not what anyone thinks. The sound of the organ is very classical, with principal choruses you can not believe! The sound of just 20% of the organ, without high pressure reeds is massive, massive like no organ I have heard ever heard in my life! Add that it is in a room that must be about the size of Saint Peter's Basilica in Rome.
There are opportunities to hear and play the organ today.
Help them do it! Join! Give! Spread IT!

[@Nicholas3412]

I bet it sounds infinitely better in real life.

[@laneatkinson6441]

I can guarantee that it does. You can feel the notes vibrating in your whole body when a regular organ is played in a small church or similar building, so just imagine how it feels to really be there and hear/feel such a thing.

[@miked1190]

Oh I bet it does especially now that a few more years have passed ,and alot more of the restoration is finished

[@allstarmark12345]

It does

[@timardner5277]

when there is a grand reveal someday of the whole instrument being 100 percent playing, there should be a rendition of this with pipes playing in all 8 chambers! That would be beyond incredible i would imagine.

[@aminalism]

According to Wikipedia this organ officially has 33,112 pipes, "but the true number is unknown " lol. It has a 64ft pipe that makes a note so low you can't hear it, only feel it and also has "a pure trumpet note of ear-splitting volume, more than six times the volume of the loudest locomotive whistle." I need to hear this thing ripping on full blast (although it may be the last thing I ever hear lol)...

[@LeoLeo-qo7yw]

I'm not really an organ technician, but i do know about trains. First of all, a train whistle (Not a train horn) can get betwen 115 and 130 Db. But the sound scale (Decibel) isn't like any other measuring scale. For example, 2 Decibels are 10 times louder than 1 decibel, 3 decibels are 10 times louder than 2 decibels, and 100 times louder than 1 decibel, and so on. So if a train whistle is 115 Db (for example) that pipe only has to get to 116 db to be 10 times louder, but i bet you couldn't hear the difference.

[@CeruleanFilms]

The "ear splitting" note they're talking about is the Grand Ophicleide. It was measured at around 130 dB but that was measured inside the organ chamber right next to the pipes.

[@KingdaToro]

@@CeruleanFilms To be precise, it maxed out the SPL meter used to measure it. All but the most expensive ones peak at 130 db. So it's likely even louder.

[@ikonix360]

This is the best rendition of the national anthem I have ever heard.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Thank you. It will just get better as the work continues on the organ.

[@ikonix360]

pipe-organ you're welcome

[@robertireson1564]

jmcinvale I agree :-)

[@rotunda57]

PLAY BALL !

[@Mafr0]

Puts a tear in your eye.... and I'm not even American!

[@Tmanaz480]

Oh my. I need a moment... Hearing about the terrible neglect of this great instrument used to break my heart. I can't believe it's coming back. Thanks to all who are laboring so hard.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Yeah but don’t complain about our FREE videos. I had enough equipment to carry on the train.

[@MieschMan]

Well... I know about the status and the importance of the national anthem in the U.S. - but: THIS is the one and only version. Forget about every version of the star spangled banner performed by (more or less) "stars" at the super bowl for instance. The anthem played by Dr. Hall on this terific piece of organ got me goosebumps.

[@SchrödingerKousae]

I imagine going from a master of the piano to this pipe organ is like going from a master biplane pilot to a space shuttle pilot.

[@heymrsrobinson2389]

Wow! I’m British but even I felt like a proud American after that rendition!!

[@thomasr3805]

True patriot tears from this glorious rendition.

[@kurbatska]

Holly cow!! I am a professional musician, so many times was walking on boardwalk in Atlantic City, and didn't know about this Beast!!!!

[@johnnyzeee5215]

Worked for 13 years, in the soon - to - be - demolished Plaza Hotel and Casino, right next to the building that features this amazing instrument.

[@rednekokie]

I think that puling all the stops out, whether in tune or not, does a disservice to this magnificent instrument.

[@FFEMTB08]

I just had an eagle land on my shoulder while listening to this.

[@johnnyzeee5215]

Will be amazing to hear the Atlantic City Whelan Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ, when restored to its full playing capacity.

[@bricksquad9552]

Last chord game me hella chills. Especially those bass and contra bass notes.

[@johnnyzeee5215]

Blast this, full volume, at every NFL game, in 2020, and let them all know the way it should be.

[@miked1190]

I've played saxophone for a good portion of my life but,have also always loved the sound of a good pipe organ. And I've gotta say that even though the restoration may have a long way to go yet...it already sounds amazing. Especially when he keeps adding ranks on the last few bars or so,it's incredible

[@MrDan708]

I can't even imagine what that instrument will sound like when restoration is complete. I would pay to hear that beast!

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

You would be astonished at the progress that has been made since I made this video in Feb 2017

[@JIMD6370]

pipe-organ when do we get the next video?

[@alleznape]

Best organ best song best organist. A wonderful trifecta. Steve, I particularly like how happy you look playing that organ!

[@was1958]

Wow, that gave me chills.

[@nancyhobson9710]

Definitely on my bucket list.

[@727100bear]

Dr Ball always knows precisely how long to hold that last triumphant note! .. a splendid rendition! What a glorious combination - our National Anthem and the Boardwalk Hall Auditorium Organ. I cannot imagine how marvelous this magnificent instrument is going to sound once the restoration is complete.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Dr Ball is very very good!

[@MelancoliaI]

The adding of the stops is what makes this so incredible, it builds and swells throughout

[@MisterMalleable]

I am still baffled at how this organ has the power of a dozen orchestras in its pipes

[@vflrockytop]

%100 working I bet earplugs would be needed. Wow

[@btsmith]

I would love to hear the Wedding March from the movie "Coming to America". This organ would do that song justice!!!

[@joyride999]

Oh my god, let me die AFTER I can listen to this organ fully restored

[@richietwoshoes9531]

It would be a dream of mine to hear that in person

[@briancrawford69]

Best national anthem in the world

[@matthewcarlon7122]

just wow and to think this is only 25% to 35% restored. I can't wait to hear this beast at full capacity...I would love to see an updated national anthem for 2018 please oh please?

[@jtcowboy2]

Love it! Please keep sharing this magnificent instrument!

[@StanSorochan]

Definitely a must see! They have amazing in-depth tours on Wednesdays!

[@jdwhea]

I am taking a trip to Atlantic City as soon as it is done!!!

[@SECODietz]

Wow, I’d heard of this instrument many years ago, but was told decades ago it was dilapidated and would likely never be played again, that the labor unions there would make the cost to play it or the amount of idle labor to sit by watching anyone else work on it simply prohibitive! Thank God some good, caring people finally took on the project! Sounds magnificent and I’ve never heard of a 7 manual organ elsewhere. 1000 “attaboys & attagirls” for these folks!

[@karlbrainich6086]

Wow, this is very beautiful ! God bless our liberators. Regards from Holland.

[@princeedmirovillar215]

Imagine turning on all the stops in the King of Organs then the entire place will collapse.

[@53651171]

Thank you, Ian!!!

[@JIMD6370]

"only" 25° done! I played this thru the system in my Peterbilt truck, which has a subwoofer, and it brought tears to my eyes. Thank you for all the work, can't wait to hear the old girl in all her glory when it's done. keep posting, love it as an organist.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

They are doing great work. I will go back in a few more months and film an update for everyone.

[@shalopez420]

I just wanted to say thank you for sharing these videos with us. I can't wait to see her in person. From "Bach on the Biggest" to now, what a difference the fellows are making in the shop! I was however wondering, are there going to be any full-length albums available, or is that dependent on the restoration? Thank you again for sharing. I look forward to the next clip. :)

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

I know most of the guys and I just wanted to help them out. Once the organ is done I would be very honored to make a recording of the organ if I am asked. Thanks for your kind words.

[@JIMD6370]

pipe-organ , we would love to hear that, I'd even pay! Tell them good work from all us, keep us posted.

[@kahuna514]

Hey Jim...and the unbelievable thing is....it sounds WAY better that Macys..!!

[@westernshipway3115]

One can tell that although there are some tuning issues, this is still an engineering and tonal masterpiece. In such a large organ and the amount of work required, how anyone could even mention pipes being flat at this stage on recent videos is unbelievable, like those working on the organ have not noticed flat pipes and are not going to rectify the problem at some stage! It is a great feeling for me to learn that this wonderful organ is being restored so not all is lost thank goodness.

[@kross9130]

Thank you. Some people must think that one could just "flip a switch" and tune the organ. I've seen videos and the amount of work just to tune one pipe (let alone a 61/76 pipe rank, to say nothing off all 440+ ranks) is fairly painstaking and tedious. Then consider they're ALSO having to repair and clean the pipework and replace the air seals and/or valves on each pipe ... I just SMH at these people. Give them time.

[@ikonix360]

I think it's moreso the organ starting to run out of air as more stops are added.

[@jcolbyt82]

It sounded less like a tuning issue and more of a wind issue. As he turned more and more stops on it started to go out of tune, yet at other points everything would briefly be in tune and then go out. I’m not sure if that was a characteristic of this organ from the beginning or if there were still wind supply issues that needed to be addressed when this video was made. It sounds amazing nonetheless. It amazes me that such a huge organ, voiced at such high wind pressures in order to fill the huge auditorium with sound, can have such a beautiful sound. I’m so glad that this instrument is being cared for and I hope that it always will!

[@dennistaylor3713]

LISTEN TO THAT MAJESTIC AWESOMENESS ABSOLUTELY AMAZING!!

[@tom7601]

A truly magnificent "start"!

[@mrshootyowl87]

That’s incredible!! I bet that sounds so amazing with those pipes reverberating inside the building.

[@vflrockytop]

How loud is it in person? I'm not going to lie, this brought a tear to my eye. What a masterpiece

[@crockette.t7977]

This instrument, for the first time in my 55 years ( having never travelled abroad), has caused me to want to travel to Atlanta to experience this instrument and volunteer some time to help with the restoration. Every time I hear the breadth, depth, and power of this organ, it stirs stirs something inside me that words cannot describe. Now to get myself a passport!

[@AndieZ4U2]

I would LOVE to be there in person. An American Tradition. This brings out the 100% Patriot in me. Praise Be to God a new day is on the way

[@stevimichael5553]

Magnificent instrument.

[@lisacummings5705]

Another thing on my bucket list. I need to hear this in person. Wow!

[@johnnyzeee5215]

Amazing. Will be a great day when the largest musical instrument in the world is fully playable. Right here in Atlantic City, NJ

[@oliverroycroft1082]

Johnny Zeee they should do a performance of Gustav Mahler’s Symphony no 2 or Symphony no 8 with a full orchestra and choir to celebrate the restoration of this instrument.

[@timardner5277]

They should use the organ for the National anthem for sporting events held at Boardwalk Hall! That would provide great exposure for this incredible instrument and would really wow the sports fans that weren't expecting to hear a pipe organ at all.

[@FinderMI]

Awesome! I recognize one of the people taking part in the restoration! :)

[@michaelmiller1215]

A miracle is in progress!

[@chrismontanaro553]

Steven, HUGE FAN of this project. Thank you for giving me the chills with this wonderful video. I too am grinding my teeth at the end of the piece! I only hope to one day retire and come be a part of the restoration.

[@RaisedLetter]

I heard that yesterday at the MAAC Tournament before it got suspended. Now I feel like an idiot that I didn't record it in action.

[@rachelbass8727]

Wowwwwww!!!! simply amazing and beautiful. and this organist has an extraordinary talent to play such a massive and complicated looking instrument! I want to hear more!! :)

[@Urnieburns70]

Absolutely brilliant

[@daveweaver7097]

It was in 1967 at the AMA convention ... I was fortunate enough to get an impromptu tour of the innards. Was in the Great Chamber when the organist (small woman) kicked in the Sforzando in the last few bars of the Nat'l. Anthem. Ohhhhhhhhhhh Myyyyyyyyyy ... what an experience. Glad to see this instrument getting much needed attention.

[@siyacer]

Beautiful

[@carldaniel6510]

Truly an awesome sound as he keeps adding stops to the chorus. By the last couple bars it's stunning. I couldn't help but notice the smile on his face on the last couple bars - playing this must make one feel like superman! Great audio capture, too! While my Sennheiser headphones can't repro 8Hz, they do well enough to tell that this was well recorded. Looking forward to the next installment - hate to wait six months!

[@TheTeddyBearzz]

This is the best thing in the world!

[@layneadams161]

Outstanding!!!!!

[@ssmows6]

That last chord gave me chills, I would love to know what pipes were playing the bottom end.

[@CeruleanFilms]

That is either the 16' rank of the Grand Ophicleide or one of the 32' stops on 50" pressure.

[@John_Steuart]

I’m English but when I hear this shit on the organ coupled with the lyrics it’s so powerful

[@gregorykemi8898]

Absolutely AMAZING!

[@jamesreynolds1275]

Amazing …even on headphones

[@BorisCr]

Can you imagine the sound of this Anthem (or any other music) when the organ will be fully functional again???

[@jesselasalle5104]

AMAZING! I will always love the pipe organ. I still would want to hear one in real life

[@Richard-W-S]

I like this version of the anthem and the great sound of this Organ!

[@aaroncameron1494]

Glad they are finally getting to restore this organ. I've been meaning to get up there to do an organ tour.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Thx

[@ianpowerOMG]

Imagine having access to this thing and playing the freaking national anthem.

[@anb740]

As the Emperor from Star Wars would say.......”unlimited POWER!” Dang.

[@calebrimer2870]

this would be good for the 4th of July

[@stephenmyers7298]

That last chord probably shook the boardwalk outside

[@philipsmith3084]

Amazing.

[@Sathrandur]

You can tell there is much work still to be done just by listening, but the progress is great. I presume they will make us wait until they have almost finished before getting the 100" reeds sounding again (to keep us excitedly interested through until the end of the restoration).

[@Sathrandur]

Just watched the other video and did hear some 100" reeds :D

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

The 100 inch wind stops are working. Find the stop demo that Steve Ball did and you will hear him demo it.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Sathrandur it will be amazing when restored

[@kahuna514]

I want to hear the reeds too..!! Can't wait. Imagine the power this thing will have when finished..!! I have an idea...how about the Bach's Gigue on a full organ. No one has ever had the nerve to do it cause they worry about being criticized.

[@williambaron5717]

even in its current state id love to play that the only downside is i live in England and am an ametur organist I'm nowhere good enough for 7 manuals I think I'll stick to 3 for now :)

[@jmcclelland34]

I just love this! Thanks brother Ralph!

[@InsideOfMyOwnMind]

I stood just up and took my hat off for that vid.

[@dalekofdoom]

This has to be the world's best rendition of the United States national anthem.

[@DavidBrown-ov6yw]

Proud to be an American. God bless the USA 🇺🇸.

[@kapitan_rus]

DOWN WITH CAPITALISM, LONG LIVE Communism!!!!!!!!

[@TheMikeOrganist]

And this now with some real trumpets, trombones, strings, timpanies etc... This would be a dream!!

[@mountrushmore6425]

Wow! Beautiful!!!

[@kahuna514]

Absolutely perfect..!! Loved it

[@ScullBayProductions]

This should played at the start of the Atlantic City Airshow.

[@musclguy39]

I'm Canadian, and I love this!

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Thanks the organ sounds even better now

[@myless.3013]

Omg even on my cheap headphones I can feel the Rumble!!!!

[@florianchurch]

Wonderful performation and sound o of national anthem of U.S.A. Thanks for positing

[@sethsteener]

reminds me of the anthem in the old chicago stadium and even in the United Center.

[@SaveKilgenOKC]

Can't wait to get out there.

[@dalethorn2]

The rumble at the end of the anthem is the 64' stop I believe, which is ~8 hz.

[@sofiaconserva4110]

Awesome!

[@moreandmoreclocks9781]

I’m gonna March this beast next season

[@adriancressy8363]

NICE recording in this video..I can hear ALL the notes

[@dennispearson9287]

Did. He. Bring. THE. GLORY. DOWN ,. OR. WHAT !!!!!?

[@22madab]

So freaking awesome

[@garfixit]

Omg what a massive organ

[@hpa2005]

To quote Mr. Sebastian Maniscalco: "AMAZING!"

[@frankspikes4867]

I could imagine Ray Charles playing pipe organ. Great stuff!

[@MINGIRL1979]

Why do I feel there needs to be a "Play Ball!" cried after this!?

[@Ken-lp9qt]

Magnificent!