click on images to enlarge Church of the Ascension (Episcopal) 36 Fifth Avenue at 10th Street New York, N.Y. 10011 http://www.ascensionnyc.org Organ Specifications: 36 Fifth Avenue at 10th Street (since 1841) ► IV/110 Pascal Quoirin (2010) ► IV/81 Holtkamp Organ Co. (1967) ► IV/69 Skinner Organ Co., Op. 860 (1931) ► III/48 J. W. Steere & Son (1912) • III/42 Geo. S. Hutchings, Op. 388 (1895) ► II/24 Hilborne L. Roosevelt, Op. 129 (1884) – Gallery • II/20 Henry Erben (1842) – Gallery Canal Street (1829-burned 1839) • Henry Erben (1830) – burned (1839) The Protestant Episcopal Church of the Ascension was founded in 1827; its first church building on Canal Street was consecrated in 1829 but burned to the ground in 1839. The present edifice, the first church on Fifth Avenue, was designed by Richard Upjohn and consecrated in November 1841. The interior was remodeled in 1885-89 by McKim, Mead, and White, and includes many outstanding sculptures, mosaics and paintings.           Pascal Quoirin Saint Didier, Provence, France (completion 2010) Mechanical action with 3-manual console Electric action with 4-manual console 94 stops, 110 ranks A new organ for the Church of the Ascension is being built by Pascal Quoirin of St. Didier, a town near Carpentras in Provence, France. This organ is to be completed by the end of 2010, and will be the first French-built organ ever to be installed in New York City. The core of the instrument will be a three-manual classical organ (Grand-Orgue, Positif, Echo/Récit, and Pédale) controlled by a three-manual mechanical action console. A second console of four manuals with electric action will control the classical core as well as many other stops intended for symphonic repertory, including a large French Romantic Grand Récit Expressif. In particular, the organ has been designed to play the works of Olivier Messiaen, and includes every registration called for by Messiaen. The instrument will be situated in the front of the church on two sides of the chancel. Four organ facades—two on each side—will include elaborate wood carvings of peacocks, inspired by the peacocks of the 1880 marble reredos. Two trompettes en chamade, one on each side of the chancel, will face each other in the manner of the historic Spanish organs.       Liturgical North Aisle   Lit. North Chancel ALTAR Lit. South Chancel   Liturgical South Aisle                 Mechanical Console                 Grand-Orgue (Manual I) – 61 notes 16   Montre 61 2   Doublette 61 16   Bourdon 61 2   Flûte 61 8   Montre 61   Grande Fourniture 2 rgs 61 8   Flûte harmonique 61   Fourniture 4 rgs 244 8   Bourdon 61   Cymbale 4 rgs 244 8   Gambe 61   Grand Cornet 7 rgs [TF] 308 5 1/3   Grosse quinte 61 16   Bombarde 61 4   Prestant 61 8   1ère Trompette 61 4   Flûte octaviante 61 8   Trompette harmonique * 61 3 1/5   Grosse tierce 61 4   Clairon 61 2 2/3   Quinte 61   Tremblant 2 2/3   Nazard 61   * en chamade         Positif (Manual II) – 61 notes 16   Quintaton 61 1 3/5   Tierce 61 8   Montre 61 1 1/3   Larigot 61 8   Flûte 61 1   Flageolet 61 8   Bourdon 61   Fourniture 4 rgs 244 8   Salicional 61   Cymbale 3 rgs 183 4   Prestant 61 16   Basson 61 4   Flûte 61 8   Trompette 61 2 2/3   Nazard 61 4   Clairon 61 2   Doublette 61 8   Cromorne 61 2   Quarte de Nazard 61   Tremblant         Récit-Echo (Expressif) (Manual III) – 61 notes 8   Bourdon 61 8   Trompette 61 4   Flûte 61 8   Basson-Hautbois 61 2 2/3   Nazard 61 8   Voix humaine 61 2   Quarte de Nazard 61 8   Clarinette 61 1 3/5   Tierce 61   Tremblant         Pédale – 32 notes 32   Bourdon 32 4   Flûte [ext. 8' Bourdon] 12 16   Flûte 32 3 1/5   Grosse Tierce [ext.] 12 16   Principal 32 2   15ème [ext. Prestant] 12 16   Bourdon [ext. 32'] 12   Fourniture 4 rgs 128 10 2/3   Quinte 32 32   Bombarde 32 8   Flûte [ext. 16'] 12 16   Bombarde [ext.] 12 8   Violoncelle [ext. Principal] 12 16   Basson 32 8   Bourdon 32 8   Trompette 32 6 2/5   Grande Tierce 32 8   Basson [ext. 16'] 12 5 1/3   Grand Nazard [ext. Quinte] 12 4   Clairon [ext. Trompette] 12 4   Prestant 32                                 Electric Console                 Grand-Orgue (Manual I) – 61 notes 16   Montre — 2 2/3   Nazard — 16   Bourdon — 2   Doublette — 8   Montre — 2   Flûte — 8   Second 61   Grande Fourniture 2 rgs — 8   Flûte harmonique —   Fourniture 4 rgs — 8   Bourdon —   Cymbale 4 rgs — 8   Gambe —   Grand Cornet 7 rgs [TF] — 5 1/3   Grosse quinte — 16   Bombarde — 4   Prestant — 8   1ère Trompette — 4   Second 61 8   Trompette harmonique * — 4   Flûte octaviante — 4   Clairon — 3 1/5   Grosse tierce —   Tremblant 2 2/3   Quinte — 8   Trompette harmonique * GRéc         Positif (Manual II) – 61 notes 16   Quintaton — 1 1/3   Larigot — 8   Montre — 1   Flageolet — 8   Flûte —   Fourniture 4 rgs — 8   Bourdon —   Cymbale 3 rgs — 8   Salicional — 16   Basson — 4   Prestant — 8   Trompette — 4   Flûte — 4   Clairon — 2 2/3   Nazard — 8   Cromorne — 2   Doublette —   Tremblant 2   Quarte de Nazard — 8   Trompette harmonique * GRéc 1 3/5   Tierce —             Grand Récit Expressif (Manual III) – 61 notes (located on Liturgical South side of Chancel) 16   Bourdon 61 2   Octavin 61 8   Principal 61 1 3/5   Tierce 61 8   Flûte harmonique 61   Plein-jeu 5 rgs 305 8   Bourdon 61   Sur-cymbale 3 rgs 183 8   Gambe 61 16   Basson 61 8   Céleste 61 8   Trompette 61 8   Æoline 61 4   Clairon 61 8   Céleste 61 8   Basson-Hautbois 61 4   Prestant 61 8   Voix humaine 61 4   Flûte octaviante 61   Tremblant 2 2/3   Nazard harmonique 61 8   Trompette harmonique * 61         Récit-Echo (Expressif) (Manual IV) – 61 notes 8   Bourdon — 8   Basson-Hautbois — 4   Flûte — 8   Voix humaine — 2 2/3   Nazard — 8   Clarinette — 2   Quarte de Nazard —   Tremblant 1 3/5   Tierce — 8   Trompette harmonique * GRéc 8   Trompette —             Pédale – 32 notes 32   Bourdon — 4   Flûte — 16   Flûte — 3 1/5   Grosse Tierce — 16   Principal — 2   15ème — 16   Bourdon —   Fourniture 4 rgs — 16   Petit Bourdon GRéc 32   Bombarde — 10 2/3   Quinte — 16   Bombarde — 8   Flûte — 16   Basson — 8   Violoncelle — 8   Trompette — 8   Bourdon — 8   Basson — 6 2/5   Grande Tierce — 4   Clairon — 5 1/3   Grand Nazard — 8   Trompette harmonique * GRéc 4   Prestant —                 * en chamade             Holtkamp Organ Company Cleveland, Ohio (1967) Electric key, stop and combination action 4 manuals, 67 stops, 81 ranks Under the leadership of Vernon de Tar, Organist and Choirmaster from 1939-1981, a new organ was built in 1967 by the Holtkamp Organ Company of Cleveland, Ohio. At Mr. de Tar's insistence, Holtkamp provided a fourth manual for a Solo division that was incorporated selected ranks from the previous Ernest M. Skinner Organ, Opus 860 (1931), although the Skinner reeds were revoiced to play on lower pressure. The retained Skinner ranks were from the Solo (Flauto Dolce, Flute Celeste, English Horn, French Horn and Orchestral Oboe), Swell (Vox Humana) and Choir: (Clarinet). Holtkamp installed the organ on both sides of the chancel. To the left of the chancel were exposed pipes of the Great, Positiv and Pedal divisions, behind which was the enclosed Swell division. On the opposite side of the chancel was a chamber for the enclosed Solo division, the tonal opening of which was masked by a façade. The detached four-manual stop-key console was on a raised platform between the choir stalls and pulpit, allowing the organist to direct and hear the divided choir. The organ was dedicated at the 11am Morning Prayer service on Sunday, January 15, 1967. In lieu of the usual sermon, Vernon de Tar played a "sermon in music" – organ works from many centuries and nationalities – and the choir sang grand anthems. One week later, Mr. de Tar played the dedicatory concert. In the next months several great organists were heard in recitals, including Robert Baker, André Marchal, Charles Krigbaum, Jack Hennigan, Marilyn Mason and Leonard Raver. After 43 years of service, the Holtkamp organ was used for the last time on Sunday, December 27, 2009. The organ was sold to a family for their Oregon residence.                 Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes 16   Quintadena 61 2   Hohlflöte 61 8   Principal 61 1 1/3   Quinte 61 8   Gemshorn 61     Mixture IV ranks 244 8   Gedackt 61     Scharf III ranks 183 4   Octave 61 16   Dulzian 61 4   Spitzflöte 61 8   Trumpet 61 2   Superoctave 61               Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed 16   Bourdon 61 1   Octavin 61 8   Geigen Principal 61     Sesquialtera II ranks `122 8   Gamba 61     Plein Jeu V ranks 305 8   Voix Celeste [GG] 54 16   Fagott 61 8   Rohrflöte 61 8   Trumpet 61 8   Dolce 61 8   Oboe 61 4   Gemshorn 61 4   Clairon 61 4   Bourdon 61     Tremolo 2   Doublette 61               Positiv Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes 8   Spitzflöte 61 2   Blockflöte 61 8   Copula 61 1 3/5   Tierce 61 4   Praestant 61 1 1/3   Quinte 61 4   Rohrflöte 61     Fourniture III ranks 183 2 2/3   Nazard 61     Cymbal III ranks 183 2   Octave 61 8   Cromorne 61         Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed [from Skinner Organ, Op. 860] 8   Flauto Dolce 61 8   Orchestral Oboe 61 8   Flute Celeste [TC] 49 8   Vox Humana 61 4   Principal 61   Solo Unison Off 16   English Horn 61   Solo to Solo 16' 8   Trompette 61     Solo to Solo 4' 8   French Horn 61   Clarinet to Positiv 8   Clarinet 61   Tremolo         Pedal Organ – 32 notes 32   Untersatz [ext.] 12 2   Nachthorn 32 16   Principal 32     Rauschquinte II ranks 64 16   Subbass 32     Mixture IV ranks 128 16   Quintadena GT 32   Basun 32 16   Bourdon SW 16   Posaune 32 8   Octave 32 16   Dulzian GT 8   Flauto 32 8   Trumpet 32 4   Choralbass 32 4   Schalmey 32 4   Flute 32                         Couplers     Great to Pedal   Swell to Great     Swell to Pedal   Positiv to Great     Positiv to Pedal   Solo to Great     Solo to Pedal   Swell to Positiv                 Adjustable Combinations (by Setterboards inside chamber)     Solo Pistons 1-4 affecting Solo stops & couplers (thumb) Swell Pistons 1-6 affecting Swell stops (thumb) Great Pistons 1-6 affecting Great stops (thumb) Positiv Pistons 1-6 affecting Positiv stops (thumb) Pedal Pistons 1-6 affecting Pedal stops (thumb & toe) General Pistons 1-8 affecting all stops and couplers (thumb & toe)   Pistons 9-10 affecting all stops and couplers (toe only) – added later General Cancel                 Reversibles     Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Solo to Pedal (toe)     Swell to Pedal (toe)   Full Organ (toe)     Positiv to Pedal (toe)                     Pedal Movements     Balanced Swell Pedal           Balanced Solo Pedal           Crescendo Pedal                             Vernon de Tar at Skinner Console     Renovated Skinner Console Skinner Organ Company Boston, Mass. – Opus 860 (1931) Electro-pneumatic action 4 manuals, 70 stops, 69 ranks, 4,251 pipes In 1931, the Skinner Organ Company of Boston rebuilt and enlarged the 1912 J. W. Steere & Son organ that was a rebuild of the original chancel organ built in 1895 by George S. Hutchings. Skinner installed most of the organ in the chamber on the left side of the chancel, but added a Solo division in a new chamber on the right side, and an Echo division in a gallery chamber. Tone openings of the chancel divisions were masked by pipe screens. The four-manual drawknob console was in a shallow pit and attached to the case on the left side of the chancel. The Skinner organ was replaced in 1967 by a new Holtkamp organ that retained five of the Solo stops (Flauto Dolce, Flute Celeste, English Horn, French Horn and Orchestral Oboe), plus the old Swell Vox Humana and Choir Clarinet. The Echo division was sold to St. Paul's Church, Chestnut Hill, Penn. The console was removed by James McGregor, organ curator from 1949-2009, and sold to Douglas Pennoyer, Bernardsville, N.J.; in 1983, the console was acquired by Robert Lockridge, who renovated the console by replacing the removed combination action, swell shoes, etc. The color photo at right shows the Ascension console after the renovation.                 Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes 16   Diapason 61 8   Viol d'Amour 61 8   First Diapason 61 4   Octave 61 8   Second Diapason 61 4   Flue Harmonique 61 8   Third Diapason 61 2 2/3   Twelfth 61 8   Doppelflote 61 2   Fifteenth 61 8   Gemshorn 61   Harmonics V ranks 305 8   Gedeckt 61     Chimes SO         Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed 16   Contra Gamba 61 2   Flautino 61 8   Diapason 61     Mixture V ranks 305 8   Hohlflote 61  16   Posaune 61 8   Salicional 61 8   Cornopean 61 8   Voix Celeste 61 8   Oboe 61 8   Viole 61 8   Vox Humana 61 8   Quintadena 61 4   Clarion 61 4   Octave 61     Tremolo 4   Flauto Traverso 61               Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed 16   Dulciana 61 2   Piccolo 61 8   Diapason 61 8   Clarinet 61 8   Melodia 61   Tremolo 8   Keraulophone 61     Chimes SO 8   Aeoline 61     Harp SO 8   Dolce Celeste 61   Celesta SO 4   Flute d'Amour 61                     Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed 8   Diapason 73 16   English Horn 73 8   Grossflöte 73 8   Tuba 73 8   Gamba 73 8   French Horn 73 8   Gamba Celeste 73 8   Orchestral Oboe 73 8   Orchestral Flute 73   Tremolo 8   Flauto Dolce 73   Chimes 25 tubes 8   Flute Celeste [TC] 61   Harp 61 bars 4   Chimney Flute 73   Celesta —         Echo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed 8   Cor de Nuit 61 4   Fern Flute 61 8   Echo Dolcet 61 8   Vox Humana 61 8   Echo Dolcet Celeste 61   Chimes         Pedal Organ – 32 notes 32   Bourdon [unit] 56 8   Principal (metal) — 16   Diapason (wood) [unit] 44 8   Violoncello — 16   Diapason (metal) [unit] 56 8   Gedeckt — 16   Bourdon — 4   Fifteenth (metal) — 16   Violone [unit] 44 16   Trombone [unit] 44 16   Dulciana CH 16   Waldhorn SW 10 2/3   Quint — 8   Tromba — 8   Octave (wood) —   Chimes SO             J. W. Steere & Son Springfield, Mass. (1912) Electro-pneumatic action 3 manuals, 46 stops, 48 ranks In 1912, the Hutchings chancel organ (Op. 388, 1895) was rebuilt by J.W. Steere & Son, who reused many pipes from the previous organ. Dr. William C. Carl, organist at nearby First Presbyterian Church, opened the new organ, and subsequent recitals were given by Scott Wheeler and Felix Lamonde. Lynnwood Farnam (1885-1930), noted concert organist of the early 20th century, was in the habit of writing down specifications and comments of the organs he visited and played. An entry dated February 16, 1922, includes the following specification of the 1912 Steere organ at Church of the Ascension. Farnam commented: "Beautiful-toned instrument. Effective pedal. 32 unusually good. ORGANIST - Miss Jessie Craig Adam."                 Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes 16   Diapason 61 8   Gross Flöte 61 8   First Diapason 61 4   Octave 61 8   Second Diapason 61 4   Flue Harmonique 61 8   Gamba 61 2   Super Octave 61 8   Gemshorn 61   Mixture, 5 ranks 305 8   Gedeckt 61 8   Trumpet 61 8   Doppelflote 61               Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed 16   Viol 61 4   Flauto Traverso 61 8   Diapason 61  2   Flautino 61 8   Viol 61   Dolce Mixture, 5 ranks 305 8   Viol Celeste 61 8   Cornopean 61 8   Salicional 61 8   Oboe 61 8   Hohlfloete 61 8   Vox Humana 61 8   Quintadena 61   Tremolo (drawstop) 4   Octave Viol 61               Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed 16   Dulciana 61 8   Unda Maris 61 8   Diapason 61 4   Flute d'Amour 61 8   Keraulophone 61 2   Piccolo 61 8   Melodia 61 8   Clarinet 61 8   Aeoline 61     Tremolo (drawstop)         Pedal Organ – 30 notes 32   Bourdon [unit] 56 10 2/3   Quint — 16   First Diapason (wood) [unit] 44 8   Flute [1st Diap.] — 16   Second Diapason (metal) [unit] 44 8   Octave [2nd Diap.] — 16   Violone [unit] 44 8   Violoncello — 16   Bourdon — 8   Gedeckt —           Couplers (rocking tablets)     Great to Pedal 8'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'     Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell 16', 4', Unison Off     Choir to Pedal   Choir 16', 4', Unison Off     Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'         Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'   Chimes to Great     Great to Swell 8'   Chimes to Swell                 Combinations and Accessories 5 pistons and release to Swell       Great to Pedal reversible (foot) 4 pistons and release to Great       Balanced Choir pedal 2 pistons and release to Choir       Balanced Swell pedal Pedal release (0)       Balanced Crescendo pedal General release (00)       Sforzando reversible (foot)             Swell Tremolo reversible (foot)             Choir Tremolo reversible (foot)             George S. Hutchings Co. Boston, Mass. – Opus 388 (1895) Electro-pneumatic action 3 manuals, 42 ranks At the end of the 19th century, the Church of the Ascension, like so many other churches, reconfigured their building and moved the choir from the gallery to the chancel. To accompany the choir, a chancel organ was built in 1895 by the George S. Hutchings Co. of Boston. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.               Hilborne L. Roosevelt New York City – Opus 129 (1884) Mechanical action 2 manuals, 22 stops, 24 ranks In 1884, Hilborne L. Roosevelt of New York City built a new gallery organ, replacing the earlier Henry Erben organ from 1842.                 Great Organ (Manual I) – 58 notes 8   Open Diapason 58 4   Rohr Flöte 58 8   Viola di Gamba 58 2 2/3   Octave Quint * 58 8   Dulciana 58 2   Super Octave * 58 8   Melodia 58 8   Clarinet * 58 4   Octave 58   * enclosed in Swell box         Swell Organ (Manual II) – 58 notes, enclosed 16   Bourdon 58 4   Gemshorn 58 8   Open Diapason 58 4   Hohl Flöte 58 8   Salicional 58   Cornet, 3 ranks 174 8   Stopped Diapason 58 8   Cornopean 58 8   Quintadena 58 8   Oboe 58         Pedal Organ – 30 notes 16   Open Diapason 30 8   Violoncello 30 16   Bourdon 30             Couplers (operated by On and Off pistons under manuals)   Swell to Pedal   Swell to Great   Great to Pedal   Swell to Great Octaves                 Mechanical Accessories     Swell Tremulant   Eclipse Wind Indicator     Bellows Signal                     Pedal Movements     Great Organ Forte   Swell Organ Forte     Great Organ Mezzo   Swell Organ Mezzo     Great Organ Piano   Swell Organ Piano       Balanced Swell Pedal   [Great to Pedal Reversible?]             Earlier organ in present church: Henry Erben New York City (1842) Mechanical action 2 manuals, 20 stops The original organ in the present church was built in 1842 by Henry Erben of New York City and installed in the rear gallery. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.             Organ in church on Canal Street: Henry Erben New York City (1830) Mechanical action The first organ, located in the gallery of Church of the Ascension, was built in 1830 by Henry Erben of New York City. This organ burned with the church in 1839. Specifications for this organ have not yet been located.             Sources:      Aeolian-Skinner Archives web site: http://aeolian-skinner.110mb.com/      "Ascension Organ Rebuilt by Steere," The Diapason (April 1, 1913).      Holtkamp Organ Company advertisement, The American Organist (March 1966). Specifications of Holtkamp Organ (1967).      Church of the Ascension web site: http://www.ascensionnyc.org      Dolkart, Andrew S. and Matthew A. Postal. Guide to New York City Landmarks (Third Edition). New York City Landmarks Preservation Commission. Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons, Inc. 2004.      Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.      Farnam, Lynnwood. "Organ Notebook," p. 1475 (specification of J. W. Steere & Son organ). John de Lancie Library, The Curtis Institute of Music, Philadelphia; Sally Branca, archivist; courtesy Jonathan Bowen.      "Hilborne L. Roosevelt, Manufacturer of Church, Chapel, Concert and Chamber Organs," catalog pub. by Roosevelt Organ Works (Dec. 1888); republished by The Organ Literature Foundation (Braintree, Mass., 1978). Courtesy Sand Lawn and David Scribner.      Holden, Dorothy. The Life and Work of Ernest M. Skinner. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1987.      Keene, Dennis. "Farewell, Dear Friend. Goodbye to the Holtkamp organ," life at ASCENSION newsletter (Dec.-Jan., 2009-2010, Vol. 30, No. 6: 3-4). Published by the church.      Keene, Dennis. Specifications of the Pascal Quoirin organ (2010).      Kinzey, Allen, and Sand Lawn, comp. E.M. Skinner/Aeolian-Skinner Opus List (New Revised Edition). Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 1997.      Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seattle, Wash.      Ogasapian, John. Organ Building in New York City: 1700-1900. Braintree: The Organ Literature Foundation, 1977.      "Pipework," The American Organist (Sept. 2008, Vol. 43, No. 2). Description of Pascal Quoirin organ (2010).      Roosevelt Opus List, compiled by Sand Lawn; courtesy David Scribner.      American Organ Archives, Princeton, N.J. Specifications of Hilborne L. Roosevelt organ, Op. 129 (1884); courtesy Jonathan Bowen. Photos:      Lawson, Steven E.: interior, Holtkamp Organ (1967).      Lockridge, Robert: Vernon de Tar at console of Skinner Organ, Op. 860 (1931); renovated Skinner console. Courtesy Aeolian-Skinner Archives web site.      Quoirin, Pascal: drawings of Pascal Quoirin Organ; courtesy Dennis Keene.      Shankbone, David: exterior.             | NYC AGO Home Page | Back to NYC Organs List |