Friday, September 26, 2008

Wishing to be in Philie

I heard about a special concert in Philadelphia this weekend. It takes place at the Macy's and features their antique Wannamaker organ, which has been restored to pristine condition. For the first time in over 50 years, the Philadelphia Philharmonic Orchestra is going to play a concert with the organ, and those lucky enough to live in the area can go and hear it all in person.

If we were a little more mobile, a little more financially stable, and a little more adventurous, it would make an excellent weekend vacation. I have been enamored of pipe organs for a long time, but my fascination and ardor were cemented when I was able to see one up close and person at the The Acorn Theater in Three Oaks, Michigan.

Clark and Fink, the owners of the theatre, managed to cobble together this amazing construction of pipe organ bits and parts from all around the country, and have set up this insane feat of engineering throughout the factory in which their theatre resides. It's a phenomenal experience to hear Clark crank the organ up, and even more incredible to hear the story of how he found the various elements and managed to put them all together to create a functioning organ that is massive and magical.

If music has the power to transport, the pipe organ has the ability to make the ride a joyous one... at times loopy and playful, at times thundrous and enveloping. Either way, it's one heck of a treat.

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