Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co. (Opus 1399, 1962)

Location:

St. Philip Episcopal Cathedral
2744 Peachtree Road NW
Atlanta, GA 30305 US
Organ ID: 27201

Update This Entry

Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Episcopal and Anglican Churches
  • The organ has been altered from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: EP pitman
  • 85 ranks. 5,148 pipes. 4 manuals. 62 stops. 84 registers.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): EP pitman chests
  • Position: In center chambers at the front of the room. Facade pipes or case front visible.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Stops: 62
  • Registers: 84
  • Position: Movable console.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in vertical rows on angled jambs.
  • Combination Action: Adjustable combination pistons.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on May 09, 2014:

Console replaced with one by Schoenstein in 2011 and relocated to St. Cecilia R.C. Church, Boston, Mass.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Database Manager on July 08, 2009:

Updated through online information from James A. Taylor, Jr.. -- While the CONTRACT was signed in 1960, the organ was not installed until 1962 by Douglas Wauchope, and Ed Mickey. The organ was dedicated Shrove Tuesday, Feb. 26, 1963. In 1965, Aeolian-Skinner added the prepared-for Solo Division, with the exception of the Solo Strings (see below).In 1974, Moller was contracted to make the Solo 8' Violoncello and 8' Cello Celeste stops, which were personally voiced by Don Gillett, who had done the original tonal finishing of the organ in 1962-63. In 1991, John Hendriksen revoiced/rescaled several stops in the organ, most notably revising mixtures in the Great, Positiv, and Swell (Acuta only), as well as adding a then-new IV rk. Mixture to the Choir. In the mid-'90's, a new 8' Tuba was purchased and added to the Solo division, pipes voiced by David Broome. Starting in 2007, Widener & Co. have subsequently begun a systematic program of releathering the organ a division at a time, which is still ongoing. It should be further noted and emphasized that at the time of the original installation, the acoustics in the Cathedral were not the best, the ceiling having Guastavino Acoustilith tiles in place. While the room in an empty state could furnish a passable reverberation (2+ seconds), when full would leave no reverberation to speak of. This was corrected in 1991 with the application of 6 thick coats of clear latex acrylic, which made for a stunning improvement. Since that time, the Cathedral Organ SOUNDS like a Cathedral Organ, and it has truly come into its own. A truly wonderful instrument.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Database Manager on July 20, 2007:

Identified through information adapted from E. M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List, by Sand Lawn and Allen Kinzey (Organ Historical Society, 1997), and included here through the kind permission of Sand Lawn:
Solo organ completed by M. P. Möller in 1964; combination action replaced with solid-state and revoicing in 1991 by John Hendriksen.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on February 11, 2019.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Stoplist from Allen Kinzey via <i>The Aeolian-Skinner Archives</i>
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

Builder's mark: Photograph by Jim Cook. Taken on 2007-05-15

Whiteford nameplate: Photograph by Jim Cook. Taken on 2007-05-15

Cathedral interior to front from gallery: Photograph by Robert Tucker via Atlanta AGO.

Console: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 1999-02-20

Cathedral interior to front from floor: Photograph by Robert Tucker via Atlanta AGO.

Cathedral interior to rear: Photograph by Robert Tucker via Atlanta AGO.

Cathedral exterior: Photograph by Robert Tucker via Atlanta AGO.

Exposed Pipes: Photograph by Robert Tucker via Atlanta AGO.

Left Stopjamb: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 1999-02-20

Right Stopjamb: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 1999-02-20

Pipe Organs in Georgia sponsored by: