Steven Ball tour of stops World's Biggest Pipe Organ Atlantic City

Steven Ball tour of stops World's Biggest Pipe Organ Atlantic City
Steven Ball Director of Outreach & Staff Organist at Historic Boardwalk Hall, demonstrates the stops of the biggest organ in the world Only 20% of the organ is working, read about restoration project
Organ Stop Demonstration of the World's Biggest Pipe Organ. Much work done, MUCH more to go. Filmed Feb 2017 Find out how you can help.

[@kraftpr]

If this is how it sounds at only 20% I can't begin to imagine what it will be like when it's 100% fully restored. I hope there will be many recordings of it that do it justice.

[@echo3325]

As an organist, can’t fathom the sound or power of this particular organ when fully operational. I would be honored to even attend the first fully operational exhibition of this wonderful instrument.

[@andrewmertzenich2316]

At 5:01, the string organ is a small piece of heaven. Cannot wait to see this instrument live.

[@myrnafields2075]

The monster organ of all organs. I'm not worthy enough to listen to it! What a beast. Can't wait until the restoration is complete.

[@purplealice]

One year there was a large gem and mineral show at the Hall, and my college-age son and I attended. The console was sitting at the side of the exhibit area, and the organist was taking requests and accepting donations. My son asked him to play "Toccata and Fugue in D Minor", and so the man did - letting the whole towering chord collapse all the way down to the lowest notes. And then he segued seamlessly into "...just like me, they long to be, close to you!" There was scattered laughter from the crowd. And we put a few bucks into the cigar box. It must be a lot of fun to play a room full of whistles :-)

[@andrewmertzenich2316]

Those strings ... just a whole minute of pure heaven!

[@trijigon]

5:58 and 6:24 might be the most beautiful sounds I've ever heard

[@shalopez420]

Thank you for sharing this. Dr. Ball and the rest of the staff at B.H are working their asses off and it is really starting to show. My ears cannot get enough! Thank you again for sharing, and a big THANKS to all of the people that are making this possible. Everyone keep up the great work, and keep up the outstanding recordings!

[@spacemadness3673]

This organ sounds so magnificent even at only %25! I absolutely cannot wait until it is at %100, as I will definitely visit it then. I could sit and hear Dr. Ball play for hours and hours. Thank you

[@BruceNitroxpro]

Mesmerizing! HUGE! So many words fall short of fully expressing this monster organ! It takes a genius to play it!

[@Maxxarcade]

Man, that string buildup starting around 5:45 and onward gives me goosebumps. I can't wait to hear some more of that long-dormant pipework!

[@johnbryson4500]

Mr. Ball gave us a complete tour of the entire organ about 6 years ago...most interesting, Se climbed about the thousands of pipes. Thank you again!

[@TheWurlitzerman123]

There really needs to be an updated version of this video as it's over 2 years old.

[@victoriamichaels6930]

I just worked in Atlantic City at Boardwalk Hall for the Michael Buble concert on Saturday Oct 13th. We were in the old gymnasium (ballroom) and I happened to catch a glimpse of the organ. I grabbed a co-worker and said ‘look at that organ.” It was massive! So today, I logged onto KZbin to search for videos from the Buble concert and I discovered this video about the organ. 🍀

[@MrBanzoid]

Wow!! The Grand Ophicleide is awesome.

[@gregorykemi8898]

I just LOVE to hear and FEEL those low tones !! What an amazing instrument!

[@timothytikker1147]

Steve, thanks so much for the fascinating demonstration! I'm especially struck by how much real distinctive character there is in the voicing of all stops. It would be easy to expect that such a large organ would have been a "quantity over quality" production, but it's clear that a huge effort of very high quality went into this instrument.

[@jasonrackawack9369]

Like the man from New Jersey said "everything that dies some day comes back, meet me tonight in Atlantic City" Ive been paitently waiting for A.C. to make a comeback, Id love to hear this on person when it is all working again. Amazing

[@mamba8_24]

If this is 25% I can only imagine what will happen once it’s fully restored. Magnificent

[@SKYBOSS2768]

Who would dislike this is truly amazing can't wait to see it at 100%

[@abdullaharif6455]

2:18-2:28 That effect is just sooooo cool sounding!

[@johnw2026]

Yeah! When they get it up to 100% i may just come up from Arkansas to hear it. :-)

[@kenny9021043]

We are not worthy of this organ. Can’t believe I’m 45 minutes away from this monster. Absolutely fantastic.

[@logica10]

Very impressive. And congratulations for the restoration of this magnificent instrument.

[@BlitztheDragon]

I cannot wait for the restoration work to be completed ~2023, and I hope to be there for it. Then, in my best Palpatine voice, I shall say: "Now your friends shall witness the power of this fully operational pipe organ!"

[@AirchimeLTDproductions174]

I wonder what a 100% tutti with all registers functioning would sound like. Breathtaking I'm sure!

[@trabantfreak2370]

i keep comming back to this video just to hear the pieces of music he plays. It sounds so great.

[@mikemccormi8ck240]

May there be a forthcoming CD of Mr. Ball on this organ :)

[@mrewan6221]

Thanks for not dumbing it down. Most presentations would go on and on and on about the 42⅔' stop and the 128' resultant. But you were nicely succinct.

[@jamesnolan800]

This makes my soul happy.

[@MichaelRupprecht]

Congratualtions on your remarkable success in restauration of this very impressive instrument! I hope you will reach the 100% one day! And thank you for the very interesting demonstration!

[@fepatton]

Very happy to see progress on this amazing instrument. I grew up listening to my Dad's copy of "Bach on the Biggest," which is just an astounding album. I've also got the two books and the DVD, which just added to my amazement. Thanks!

[@btsmith]

What exactly was the piece played from 5:26 to 6:26 ...... my HEAVENS!!! that was absolutely beautiful!!

[@georgehaas7292]

I would guess that he is just improvising.

[@jimanianortonified7015]

Hurry up! I wanna hear that monster in full organ! Philly will be jealous!

[@davenamanda]

Wow...that's all I can say. Just wow! Absolutely the most impressive thing I have ever heard from an organ.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Only a small fraction of the organ is working. Just wait till it all is!

[@transistedwaves4337]

I've probably watched this 100 times and am still grinning while grinding my teeth.

[@suzanneporter7907]

This is a beautiful organ. I have never seen an organ so big with so many different sounds. I love it.

[@Jm4steam]

Nice tones. Good to see this instrument being rebuilt.

[@ReaganReese]

I COULD WATCH A 5 HOUR VERSION!!! THANK YOU SO SO SO MUCH FOR THIS MAGICAL GIFT!!!

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

You are most welcome

[@Sathrandur]

Good microphones you have there. I was feeling the 64' octave shaking in my headphones.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Thx they are a KM 130 with Sound Device 702 Seriously, you need good speaker to hear it.

[@Sathrandur]

pipe-organ When it comes to music I take my audio equipment seriously. My pair of Sony headphones have a frequency response down to 5Hz according to the box (they definitely go a little lower based on my testing), but I rarely get to appreciate this.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Glad you do!!!

[@ThinkingSpeck]

I was thinking similar. My earphones (also Sony) are rated down to 8Hz, and occasionally I run across a recording that actually uses that.

[@riknos3289]

Listening to this on a Bag End Infrasub - which can represent down to 8hz accurately - is nothing short of magnificent!

[@ssmows6]

Just listen to the 32' diapasons at 6:23. Such deep and filling bass notes!!

[@Malignus68]

I've been waiting YEARS for this video. Thank you!!

[@kadeperry673]

Grand ophicleide at 3:44

[@MelancoliaI]

This organ is a wonder of the modern world. There's nothing like it.

[@SaccoBelmonte]

I can't believe how complex that one is. wow!!!!

[@hughcreighton9384]

The diapasons are beautiful !!!!!!!

[@SaveKilgenOKC]

Its really hard to explain. As a kid, I loved grandma's Magnus cord organ. It was neat as you played it by numbers and it had the Scott Joplin books that came with it. And the weird deal is I was the only person in my family who did not get music lessons. Well, I got a few in a mobile home at a school in Kansas. So during college, I moved in with the grandparents. I then began buying keyboards and linking them via MIDI in stacks. I had 4 stacked at one time and I used the free app Miditzer. It worked fairly well except I had to up the sound card to better FM samples. Mama later once said, "I'm sorry we didn't ever let you have lessons."

[@adriancressy8363]

ahhhhh somebody finally recorded a pipe organ where I can hear the majestic bass...vibrate my house

[@TheRealUncleBeef]

That thing is bloody unbelievable

[@Skipperj]

Phenomenal sound! Thanks for the demo,and appreciate the work you are doing.

[@gregorykemi8898]

Beautiful and very impressive tones, especially the lower ones, wooow!

[@rosswright4970]

This demo has the best sound recording of all that have been played since the organ came to life again.Best on good headphones.

[@timothyboles6457]

It's exciting that the organization is restoring the Instrument

[@EdwardPCampbell]

The Saturn 5 of concert organs :)

[@superunknown8645]

that's what a real organ sounds like

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

It still needs ALOT OF WORK. It is getting there

[@kross9130]

The sound of the chorale starting at 5:10 is great, and as he adds voices all the way up to the final chord at 6:22 it just sounds better and better. One of the best sounding pipe organs ever, and Ball makes it look so effortless - during the chorale he's not even looking at the manual while he's playing, but rather looking around for more stops to add. Also neat the way he rakes his hand across the entire row of stop tabs at the 2:17 mark, showing how the character of the sound changes as he adds voices. I also like how he doesn't use the bottom octave of the 64' stop because there's a dearth of microphones that could capture and speakers that could reproduce the 8 Hz fundamental, not to mention no human ear can hear it. Makes me wonder why they bothered with a 128' resultant - like all resultant stops it's only a harmonic progression simulation yet the fundamental still can't be heard.

[@FokkerAce1917]

K Ross I think the lowest notes are meant to be felt instead of heard. They really shake the room.

[@kross9130]

No arguments from me - the only use of a 64' stop is to shake the building off its foundation. My point was the employment of the 64' & 42 2/3' together to get a 128' resultant doesn't make a lot of sense. Usually resultants are used by organs with a 16' long pipe to simulate a 32' stop, and can be quite effective, as the 32' fundamental can be heard by many people. But with the 64' stop the bottom octave goes into the subsonic range so there wouldn't be anything to hear - just a little additional floor shake by adding in the 42 2/3' stop.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Good observations

[@trijigon]

K Ross they have the 128' cause feeling music is good too

[@kross9130]

My point was 100% physics based - musically, I love bass. The Liszt clip also here on KZbin is one of my all-time favorites, precisely because of the mind-bending bass (and the Grand Ophicleide) at the end. Got a road trip planned for when this organ is fully operational again - going to Philly to hear the Wanamaker, then Atl. City to hear this one - and I want to feel that floor shake.

[@ReaganReese]

OH MY GOSH THIS IS SO FREAKING GOOD

[@alessioparone2665]

Thank you so much for this opportunity and gift

[@I_am_a_cat_]

Oh maaaaaannn 2:24 sounded amazing

[@CeruleanFilms]

Whatever he turned on at 6:17 has some serious power.

[@mashy712]

Reasons to visit New Jersey. THIS!

[@petetong9725]

Wow Dr Ball and his amazing organ........Aye this is amazing but did anyone else delete their internet history just incase they were misunderstood????

[@LMasterGame]

if i have money i wil build a church-sized organ, that sound is glorious to my ears

[@TheSoulOfGenius]

My good friends, can anyone shed light to me the piece being played from 5:45 to the resolution at 5:57?

[@AriannaCunningham]

I would please like to hear the 42 2/3 stop first and the combined with the 64' and then FULL Organ with ALL of the stops and couplers selected too!!!!!

[@skipperrussell2025]

A work of absolute genius.

[@KingdaToro]

Please do another one as soon as the left stage chamber is done!

[@jeffreyhartmannmusic]

Fascinating Tour of the Instrument! Thank you very much . . .best .. . jeff

[@SayaAensland]

I can't stop thinking about a D&D bard playing this puppy. They can't go adventuring for obvious reasons, so their dayjob is defending the church the organ is built inside. With an instrument that'll put the fear of god into your heart WITHOUT bardic magic, they do their job very well.

[@NYMArts]

I'd LOVE to roll out, skip breakfast, and just play this organ All Day Long.........

[@apxpandy4965]

Sooo many buttons - I wanted you to 'stop it'! Great demo - thanks!

[@JohnDoe-rt4jz]

I saw him play “take me out to the ball game” on it!

[@johnnyzeee5215]

Will be amazing to this instrument at full capacity, the world's largest pipe organ, right here in Atlantic City, NJ.

[@conniekelly631]

That is amazing I love the sound

[@marioribeirodeazevedoneto311]

Olá Steven Ball, parabéns pelo belo concerto e pelo fantástico órgão. Você Steven toca muito bem, parabéns! Gostaria de novas edições suas com esse instrumento!

[@richardhedderly]

It sounds like a lion growling at the end. :)

[@adriancressy8363]

need to hear this instrument and a full blown musical piece.

[@jerrymungo6537]

I could listen to CM Widor's Tocata V on this organ when it is fully restored, it is spectacular what I can hear at the moment at only 20% Wow just imagine what 100% would sound like

[@KSL1972LLC]

Cannot wait for this restoration to be complete.

[@Pipe-organ-recordings]

Me too

[@rotunda57]

Me three! I just can't see how it's possible to keep something this large and complex operating 100%. I'd think it would take one or two full-time men to maintain it.

[@differentname8051]

rotunda57 small price too pay

[@TheMKEWERBY]

Wow! Just wow! And at only 20%, too!

[@madeleinebaier5347]

Great job as per usual, Dr. Ball! Glad you're still "tickling the ivories". Do you still play the Mighty Barton at the Michigan theater?

[@guikirsch9758]

Oh man I love that Tuba Imperial

[@JohnNozum]

I enjoyed your demonstration of some stops on the Midmer-Losh organ. I am an organist myself, plus I have backgrounds in sound physics and the mathematical relationships between pitch footages. Moreover, I have some idea of how the resultant configurations work mathematically. I can see where combining a 64' and a 42 2/3' stop can cause a 128' resultant. PRAISE BE TO GOD you're featuring a DECENT instrument--and not a distorted electric guitar!!! I hope to maybe sometime in my lifetime to take this BEAST for a test drive! I have this on my bucket list. I'm "already" 52 years old right now. However, I realize that this may be a tall order, and it may be a challenge me getting over there. Please note that I am not AGO certified, and I'm not the greatest at reading sheet music. However, i can KICK SOME SERIOUS BUTT when it comes to harmonizing stuff myself and improvising. I also have the gift of "composing on the fly", much like speaking in tongues, but coming forth through my hands. I have church organ experience dating back to 1986, age 19. However, my organ playing goes beyond just church music. I have many compositions of my own, some of which are designed for organ, particularly pipe organ. The biggest church organ that I played so far in my life is a Rogers 4589 4-manual organ. I LOVED it!!! May God's peace be with you--in the name of Jesus! From one good organist to another, John Nozum From Moundsville, WV

[@SirWinstonBeech]

The 64 footers don't quite work on my computer speakers. Maybe I could make an array of 1" computer speakers, sort of like the array telescope....

[@ronaldreagan256]

Gods speed to Stephen Ball

[@mj6962]

Would love to watch Steven all day. Preferably sans apparel if you know what I mean...

[@demi12342002]

I wonder how long it takes to even learn how to play this thing!! Amazing piece of history needless to say!

[@mastered38]

I love the string in this organ. It's soo beautiful. 😍😍😍😍😍😍

[@Maxxarcade]

I think Strings and String Celestes are my favorite organ stops overall. This organ has a ton of amazing stuff that can't be heard elsewhere, and it's still only 20% operational. Crazy!

[@mastered38]

Maxxarcade with a 32ft or 64ft at 6:16

[@BrannonDavis]

I don’t know why I came back to this video...well, I know why, to listen this amazing piece for the strings division demonstration. Does anybody know what piece he plays with the strings?

[@Toccataind565]

I DEFINITELY want a copy of the first CD made of this instrument when it's completely finished. (Less than eight years, maybe??) It would be my ultimate stereo demo! Lol.

[@muhagames-rz3nt]

Ich love this organ

[@turkishpunisher6386]

Holy moly

[@hismajestysmen]

Those string ranks are to die for.

[@MrAnimatorboy]

Whats the name of that song he plays with strings? 😮 Man record full song playing it!!!!!!!!!!

[@carterdriggs]

That Grand Ophicleide is ROUGH. Awesome pressure and volume but DAMN that is tune-sensitive.

[@eog5038]

I understanf that the West Point Cadet Chapel organ has a 42-2/3' stop, but only down through low F. So yours isn't the only one, but is the only complete one.

[@lyricalaska]

WOW!!

[@mastered38]

c'est possible une présentation complète de la présentation de l'orgue ?

[@oliverroycroft1082]

They should do a performance of Gustav Mahlers Symphony no. 2 or Symphony no. 8 with an orchestra and choir once this organ is fully restored.

[@aidanhutchison2388]

Those two pedal notes at 6:17 0.o

[@mastered38]

Aidan Hutchison it's the 32ft or 64ft I think at 6:16