Organ Inauguration
Out of tragedy emerges a purposefully restored and reimagined world-class organ. A series of inaugural events were held, beginning with a weekend of programs featuring solo, orchestral, and choral literature. From children to long-time admirers, this organ comes alive in community inviting people to be part of giving to New York City an inspiring instrument for the future.
Photo by Fadi Kheir
Photo by Fadi Kheir
When it was built in 1977, Saint Peter’s gave to New York City a significant instrument in the important lineage of historically-informed organ building. The work of Johannes Klais Orgelbau (Bonn, Germany), new heights achieved today owe much to instruments such as this. The organ’s distinctive case and console were designed by Massimo Vignelli which, with Frank Gehry’s design for the Walt Disney Concert Hall, remains one of only a handful of architect-designed organs of the modern era.
Photo by Fadi Kheir
Photo by Fadi Kheir
Photo by Fadi Kheir
In early 2021, a broken City water main pipe sent hundreds of thousands of gallons of water gushing into Saint Peter’s. Not only did the Sanctuary sustain significant water damage, dehumidification to avoid a mold outbreak and other mitigation efforts cracked, warped, and stressed every piece of wood—especially the organ. Because the water brought mud along with it, a thick layer of fine silt came to cover every surface.
To prevent further damage, the organ was quickly removed for safekeeping. Transported to and stored at their shop in Gloucester, MA, C.B. Fisk Organ Builders developed both a plan for restoring the organ and for reimagining it based on almost five decades of use as well as tonal and mechanical development.
Photo by Fadi Kheir
Photo by Fadi Kheir
Now in 2023, guided by a historic preservation expert, the distinctive Vignelli-designed case and console have been restored. The instrument benefits from new action, five additional stops, total tonal re-voicing, and an improved acoustical environment. This principled and transformational effort brings once again to New York City an instrument capable of a wide range of literature with convincing, stylistic integrity.
This organ inauguration was copresented by The Arts and Architecture Conservancy at Saint Peter’s with the New York City Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.