Evening star., 1958-07-14
FACT OR FcTIoM7
Case Of the 'BIeoting' Pipe Organ


This system was designed for
the express purpose of obtain
ing intelligible amplification
Of a speakers voice without
resorting to those well-known
methods Of acoustical correc-
ton which are detrimental to
the musical acoustics Of q
church.
When considering the ex-
tent to which we would use
limestone or acoustical tile in
the vaulted ceilings of the
various portions Of Washing
ton Cathedral. we were gov
erned by the question Of
musical acoustics rather than
speaking acoustics. In the
vaulted ceilings of the choir
and choir aisles, we used
limestone as we desired its i.
sound-refiecting qualities. In
the nave and tranSepts we
had intended to use lime
stone ribs with an acoustical
tile inflll between the ribs in
order to make a slight reduc-
ton in the reflection and pro-
longation lof sounds originate
ing in the choir and crossing.
However, because of the
satisfactory results given by
tests Of the public address
system and as the result of
further conferences with the
organists and organ builders,
we may use limestone for the
infill as well as the ribs when
We build the vaulted ceilings
Of the nave.
I have since read Mr..
Thorpe's July 7 article en-
titled Consoles Swan Song
is Made Memorable" The
said article contains further
statements about the Cathe-
dral organ which are made
with bland unconcern" for
facts.
He states that the present
console has served its pur-
pose for half a century" 1t
should be realized that so
years ago the only existing
portion of Washington Ca
thedral was what is known
as the foundation stone"
which marked the spot above
which it was expected the
high altar of the future Ca
thedral would be placed. The
choir was Strueturally COM
pleted in 1923 and q tempo
rary two-manual organ was
installed. However, the ad-
jacent construction Of the
crossing and transepts was
not brought to q stage Of
completion which made it
possible to install or use the
permanent organ until 1887.
The existing organ was COM
pleted and dedicated in 1888,
or 20 years ago. Consequently,
Mr.. Thorpe has made an err
ror Of 80 years.
Mr.. Thorpe states that the
new console "iS only the first
step in a piecemeal replace
ment Of the old Aeolian-
Skinner instrument" He is
mistaken in his impression
that the old organ is an
Aeolian-Skinner instrument.
1t was built by Ernest M.
Skinner in 1888 and was, I
believe, regarded by him as
his masterpiece. The new
console. which incorporates
the carved and traceried
panels of the casing / de-
signed for the old console,
has been built by the
Aeolian-Skinner Organ Co.
The said company is to re-
build the old Skinner organ.
using and revoicing some Of
the original sets Of pipes, re-
placing others. and adding
additional stops. We believe
that the result will be q finer
instrument that will be more
appropriate for the musical
acoustics Of the Cathedral.
From Mr.. Thorpe's state
ments concerning the new
adjustable-pedal clavier and
the distance of Mr.. Gala
ways feet from the old pedal
keys If the organ bench
had been set at the right
height for Mr.. Dirksen, 1t
would follow that II Mr..
Dirksen's height Is s. A., Mr..
Galloway would have a
height of only 8 g.. AS Mr..
Galloway has informed me
that his height is s. g.. it
would seem that Mr.. Thorpe's
knowledge Of human anat-
omy may not exceed his
knowledge Of the organ.
However that may be, his
statement in regard to this
matter is almost as inaccu-
rate and misleading as his
remarks about the musical
acoustics Of the Cathedral or
the age Of the old organ con-
sole.
Philip Hubert FFOhman.