George Jardine & Son
Opus 1019, 1876

The George Jardine & Son organ in Sacred Heart Church dates from the completion of the building in 1876 and is installed in a rear gallery case measuring approximately 25 feet high by 12 feet deep by 20 feet wide. Notable as one of Jardine's quality installations, this organ has mahogany tables for the chests and much of the pipe metal is spotted, indicating about a 60% tin content. Of special interest is the 4' Gamba Clarion stop on the Great, a labial (reedless) rank that was used in place of a Clarion. The Low C pipe of the "Clarine" stop is stamped 'Keraulophon' and had a label of a Paris pipe maker, Henri Zimmerman. Total cost of the organ was $7,535.

On Sunday evening, September 17, 1876, the organ was formally opened with a concert presented by Professor John M. Loretz, Jr., organist of the church, who began with a prelude and fugue by Bach. Sharing the program was "an excellent chorus of thirty voices," directed by Professor L. Weinstein, and six vocal soloists. The Brooklyn Eagle (Sept. 18, 1876) reported that Prof. Loretz "filled the building with grand music which held the undivided attention of the audience whenever he played." The review continued with:
"The finest playing of the evening was then done by Professor Loretz, who performed a symphony entitled, "Music of Nature," which was a series of sketches in which were musically represented. Morning: rising of the sun, warbling of birds, rustling of leaves and peasant's song. Noon: storm, frightened birds, rain, hail, etc., all of which finally died away, leaving the evening calm and beautiful, when the notes of the cuckoo, nightingale, pipers gathering their flocks, hymns of shepherds were heard. The music was excellently rendered, and well represented the ideas which it intended to convey."

This organ is the largest extant Jardine organ from the 1870s, although it is not in original condition. Over the years several stops were changed and several labels replaced. The organ has received restorative repairs by Hartman-Beaty (1969, 1975), Jack Alberti (1978), Andover (1985) and David Schmauch (2001).
-- NYC AGO Pipe Organ Project

Updated through on-line information from Connor Annable.

Status Note: There 1974

Some emergency repairs by Hartman-Beaty for 1969 OHS convention. Compass 58/30. Cost was $15,000. Wind provided by two men.