Pipe Organ Database

"MAGNIFICENT CATHEDRAL 0RGAN. The organ built by Mr. Henry Erben for the Cathedral at Albany, and which was regarded with so much interest by the musical profession and the public generally, while on exhibition, the greater part of last week is now in process of transhipment to its destination. For three days and evenings, it was subject to the test and criticism of the best talent in this country, and a work of art and improvement in the science of organ building, it has been pronounced by competent judges to be hitherto unsurpassed. It is a monster of its kind; being 52 feet high, 30 feet wide, and 20 feet deep, containing 43 stops, and 3,000 pipes, some of them of extraordinary dimensions, varying in tone from the deep thunder of the diapason, to the finest and most beautiful touches which can be produced from the flute or violin. The gamba, the viol d'amour (resembling the violin), and the keraulophon were deservedly admired. The hautboys, trumpets, clarionets, and the whole of this splendid instrument, in all its varieties were displayed by the different amateurs and professional men of this City, Boston, Albany, &c. Among the latter, we mention Mr. Hayter, of Boston; Mr. Carmody, of Albany; and of this City, Messrs Hogan, Bristow, Berge, and Wm. A. King. On Friday evening, Mr. Berge performed the overture to the "Caliph of Bagdad" and other overtures, which were received with great applause, and showed that he was a perfect master of the instrument. Saturday evening was set apart exclusively for Mr. King's performance. He played from a printed programme, in his accustomed style. The overture to "Stradella," arranged by Mr. King for the organ, has seldom been performed with as much effect except by one of our grand orchestras. Kink's [sic: should be Rink] grand concerto in F, Krehlan's grand organ overture in D, and the ever favorite, the Wedding March, were splendidly played, and received the applause they deserved. We Congratulate our neighbors of Albany upon the possession of one of the most magnificent instruments ever turned out of Mr. Ebben's establishment. It cost $8,000.

The New York Times, New York, New York, 29 Oct 1852, Fri • Page 6 (reproduced also in the 2006 OHS Organ Atlas)

Updated through online information from T. Daniel Hancock.

Identified through online information from T. Daniel Hancock. -- The "American Musical Directory," Thomas Hutchinson, New York, 1861 reports "Size of organ--3 banks keys, 46 stops, 2-1/2 octaves pedals. Built by H. Erben, in 1852."