Second Presbyterian Church
4 West 96th Street at Central Park West
New York, N.Y. 10025
http://www.secondpresbyteriannyc.org


Organ Specifications:
4 West 96th Street at Central Park West (since 1929):
► IV/45 Austin Organ Co., Op. 1640; rev. James A. Konzelman Organs (1978)
► IV/63 Austin Organ Co., Op. 1640 (1929)
Central Park West at 96th Street (1894-1929):
► III/40 George Jardine & Son (1894)
53 West 14th Street (1853-1894)
• unknown
Grand Street at Mercer (1837-1852)
• unknown, if any
Cedar Street (1768-1837) – known as Scots Presbyterian Church
• unknown, if any


Originally known as the Scots (or "Scotch") Presbyterian Church, Second Presbyterian Church was established in 1756 after separating from the First Presbyterian Church over a disagreement about which version of the Psalms to use. In 1768, the Scots Church erected a building on Cedar Street, where it remained for almost 70 years. A Greek Revival church was constructed between 1836-37 on Grand Street; it was sold to the Fourth Presbyterian Church in 1852. Continuing its migration northward, the church moved again to 53 West 14th Street, where it remained from 1853 to 1894. At the end of the 19th century, 14th Street had become a busy commercial center, and the church moved once again, this time to a corner plot across from Central Park on West 96th Street. An imposing Romanesque building with an open-air tower was designed by William H. Hume & Son, and constructed between 1893-94.

During the real estate boom of the 1920s, the church took advantage of its prime location and replaced their 25-year-old building with a new "Skyscraper Church" as designed by Rosario Candela and constructed in 1928-29. The resulting building combines a 16-story apartment tower with a Central Park West address, along with a new church sanctuary and classroom space set into the base and fronting West 96th Street. Other skyscraper churches from this era include the Church of the Strangers, Calvary Baptist Church, Madison Avenue Baptist Church, and the First Reformed Episcopal Church.
           
Austin Organ Co.
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 1640 (1929)
Revised by James A. Konzelman Organs
Maplewood, New Jersey (1978 )
Electropneumatic key and stop action
4 manuals, 44 stops, 45 ranks



Beginning in 1978, the large Austin organ was partially rebuilt and reduced in scope to better meet the needs of the space and the ongoing financial commitments necessary to maintain a pipe organ in excellent condition. James Konzelman (then with the Church Organ Company of Edison, N.J. and now proprietor of Konzelman Organs, Inc., Hoboken, N.J.) supervised the project, which included the rebuilding of the Great, Swell and Pedal divisions and the revoicing, addition, and subtraction of many ranks throughout the instrument. The church has begun a rebuilding campaign which will include solid-state wiring and combination action, new keyboards and rebuilding of the pedal board.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Bourdon
61
4
  Octave
61
8
  Principal
61
2
  Fifteenth
61
8
  Bourdon
61
 
  Mixture IV ranks
244

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Gedeckt **
73
    Cymbale III ranks
183
8
  Viola
73
16
  Contre Trompette
73
8
  Viola Celeste *
73
8
  Trompette
73
4
  Principal *
73
8
  Hautbois
73
4
  Spitzflöte
73
 4
  Clairon
73
2
  Octave
61
    Tremulant  
 
  Sesquialtera II ranks **
122
       

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Erzähler *
73
2
  Blockflöte
61
8
  Stoverflöte **
73
8
  Trompette **
73
8
  Erzähler *
73
8
  Clarinet *
73
8
  Erzähler Celeste *
73
8
  English Horn *
73
4
  Flauto Traverso **
73
8
  Voix Humaine *
73
2 2/3
  Nazard *
61
    Tremulant  

     

     
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Harmonic Trumpet **
73
       

     

     
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
  Contra Bourdon [ext.] *
12
4
  Flute *
32
16
  Principal (wood) *
32
32
  Contra Bombarde [unit] *
44
16
  Subbass *
32
16
  Bombarde *
—
16
  Erzähler
CH
16
  Contre Trompette
SW
8
  Octave *
32
8
  Trompette
SW
8
  Bourdon *
32
4
  Clairon
SW
4
  Choralbass *
32
2
  Zink
32
               
       
* from Austin Organ, Op. 1640

     
** revoiced and/or rescaled from Austin Op. 1640
           
  Austin Organ, Op. 1640 (1929) at Second Presbyterian Church - New York City (courtesy Jonathan Bowen)
Austin Organ Company
Hartford, Conn. – Opus 1640 (1929)
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manuals, 115 stops, 63 ranks, 4,531 pipes










The contract for the original organ in the present building was awarded in 1928 to the Austin Organ Company of Hartford, Conn., after intense competition from the Skinner Organ Company of Boston. Herbert Brown, the Austin representative, sent a letter dated August 9, 1928, along with the signed contract, to the Austin Company in which he wrote, "The Skinner Company have been perfectly willing to cut prices underneath Austin and in addition willing to pay one of the parties ten thousand to get it." Among various threats, Skinner's representative met with the Committee and told them that they "owe it to God and Mankind to buy a Skinner organ." Much of the competition had to do with the fact that the church's organist, T. Scott Buhrman, was also the colorful and outspoken editor of The American Organist magazine. The Service of Dedication took place on February 23, 1930, with Mr. Buhrman at the organ. A public discussion of the organ was published in several issues of The American Organist, including a description by Mr. Buhrman of the organ's orchestral design, commentary by "organ architect" William H. Barnes, and a carefully worded critique by Hugh Porter, a concert organist who was then organist at the Church of the Heavenly Rest, itself the owner of a recent but even larger Austin organ.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Diapason Two [unit]
109
2
   Diapason Two
—
8
  Diapason One
73
1 3/5
   Tierce
61
8
  Diapason Two
—
16
   Trumpet [unit]
97
8
  Dulciana
73
8
   Trumpet
—
8
  Doppelfloete
73
4
   Trumpet
—
8
  Clarabella
73
   
Harp
61 bars
8
  Gamba
73
   
Chimes
SO
8
  Gemshorn
73
    Great 16'  
4
  Diapason Two
—
     Great Unison Off  
4
   Waldfloete
73
     Great 4'  
2 2/3
   Diapason Two
—
        
               
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Salicional [unit]
97
1 3/5
   Tierce
61
8
  Diapason
73
1
   Twenty-second
61
8
  Rohrfloete
73
    Mixture IV ranks [selective]
—
8
  Flauto Dolce
73
16
  Oboe Horn [unit]
97
8
  Flute Celeste [TC]
61
8
   Cornopean
73
8
  Viole d'Orchestre
73
8
   Oboe Horn
—
8
  Viole Celeste
73
8
  Orchestral Oboe
—
8
  Salicional
73
8
  Vox Humana
61
8
  Voix Celeste
73
4
   Oboe Horn
—
8
  Muted Viole
73
    Tremulant – Vox  
8
  Aeoline
73
    Tremulant  
4
  Flute Harmonique
73
    Harp
GT
4
  Chimney Flute
73
    Swell 16'  
4
  Salicional
—
     Swell Unison Off  
2 2/3
   Salicional
—
     Swell 4'  
2
   Piccolo
61
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Gemshorn [unit]
97
2
   Gemshorn
—
8
  Diapason
73
1 3/5
   Tierce
61
8
  Concert Flute
73
1 1/7
   Septieme
61
8
  Quintadena
73
1
   Gemshorn
—
8
  Viole
73
8
   Corno d'Armore
73
8
  Gemshorn
—
8
  Clarinet
73
8
  Dolce
73
8
  English Horn
73
8
  Unda Maris [TC]
61
    Tremulant  
5 1/3
  Gemshorn
—
    Harp
GT
4
  Flauto Traverso
73
    Chimes
SO
4
  Flute d'Amour
73
    Choir 16'  
4
  Gemshorn
—
     Choir Unison Off  
2 2/3
   Gemshorn
—
     Choir 4'  
               
Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed
8
  Stentorphone
73
8
  French Horn
73
8
  Grossfloete
73
8
  Bassoon
73
8
  Gross Gamba
73
    Tremulant  
8
  Gamba Celeste
73
   
Chimes
25 bars
4
  Doppelfloete
73
    Solo 16'  
8
  Tuba Mirabilis
73
    Solo Unison Off  
8
   French Trumpet
73
     Solo 4'  

     

     
Echo Organ (Duplexed to Great and Solo) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Fernfloete [unit]
97
8
  Vox Angelica
73
8
  Cor d'Nuit
73
4
  Fernfloete
—
8
  Quintadena
73
8
  Vox Humana
61
8
  Fernfloete
—
     Tremulant – Vox  
8
  Unda Maris [TC]
61
    Tremulant  
8
  Viole Aetheria
73
       
               
Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
  Bourdon [ext.]
12
8
  Violone
—
32
  Resultant [Diap.-Bdn.]
—
8
  Gemshorn
CH
16
  Diapason [unit]
44
4
   Bourdon
—
16
  Diapason
GT
32
  Bombarde [unit]
44
16
  Bourdon [unit]
56
16
  Bombarde
—
16
  Violone [unit]
44
16
  Trumpet
GT
16
  Salicional
SW
16
  Oboe Horn
SW
16
  Gemshorn
CH
8
  Trumpet
GT
8
  Diapason
—
8
  Oboe Horn
SW
8
  Bourdon
—
     Echo Pedal:  
8
  Gamba Celeste II ranks
SO
16
  Fernfloete
EC
               
Couplers
    Great to Pedal 8', 4'   Choir to Swell 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Pedal 8', 4'   Solo to Swell 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Pedal 8', 4'   Great to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Solo to Pedal 8', 4'   Swell to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Swell to Great 16', 8', 4'   Solo to Choir 16', 8', 4'
    Choir to Great 16', 8', 4'   Great to Solo 16', 8', 4'
    Solo to Great 16', 8', 4'   Swell to Solo 16', 8', 4'
    Great to Swell 8'   Choir to Solo 16', 8', 4'
               
Adjustable Combinations
   
*Great Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 (thumb)
*Swell Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 (thumb)
*Choir Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 (thumb)
*Solo Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8 (thumb)
Echo-Great Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Echo-Solo Pistons 1-2-3-4 (thumb)
Pedal Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 (thumb; 1-6 duplicated by toe)
General Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 (thumb)
Master Pistons 1-2-3-4-5-6 (controlling 1 to 6 of Manuals & 2 to 7 of Pedal)
  General Cancel (thumb)
  Cancellor Bars for each division
* Double touch; the second touch adding control of manual couplers, pedal couplers, and pedal stops
               
Reversibles
    Great to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Solo to Pedal (thumb & toe)
    Swell to Pedal (thumb & toe)   Full Organ (thumb & toe)
    Choir to Pedal (thumb & toe)    
               
Accessories
   
Balanced Expression Pedal – Great
 
Echo-Solo preparation
   
Balanced Expression Pedal – Swell
 
Echo-Great preparation
   
Balanced Expression Pedal – Choir
 
Color Scheme:
   
Balanced Expression Pedal – Solo
 
      Diapasons, Flutes: White
   
Balanced Expression Pedal – Echo
 
      Strings: Amber
   
Balanced Register Crescendo Pedal
 
      Reeds: Red
   
Couplers Off Crescendo Pedal
 
      Percussion, Tremulants: White
   
Independent Crescendo Coupler (coupling any set of shutters to the Echo shoe)
 
      Couplers: Black
     
Tremulant Toe-Touches (on each Crescendo Shoe)
   
Crescendo Indicators
 
           
Organ in previous church on Central Park West at 96th Street:

George Jardine & Son
New York City (1894)
Electro-pneumatic action
3 manuals, 35 stops, 40 ranks


The following specification was recorded by F.R. Webber, whose "Organ Scrapbooks" are in the possession of The Organ Historical Society Archives in Princeton, N.J.
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
   Double Open Diapason
61
4
   Principal
61
8
   Open Diapason
61
2 2/3
  Nazard
61
8
   Gamba
61
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Doppel Flöte
61
     Mixture IV ranks
244
8
   Melodia
61
8
   Trumpet
61
4
   Flute Harmonique
61
        

     

     
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
   Bourdon
61
4
   Flauto Traverso
61
8
   Open Diapason
61
2
   Flautina
61
8
   Salicional
61
     Cornet III ranks
183
8
   Aeoline
61
8
   Oboe & Bassoon
61
8
   Voix Celeste II ranks
122?
8
   Vox Humana
61
8
   Lieblich Gedackt
61
     Tremulant  
4
   Violina
61
        

     

     
Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes
8
   Viola
61
4
   Flute d'Amour
61
8
   Dulciana
61
2
   Piccolo
61
8
   Clarabella
61
8
   Clarione
61
4
   Gemshorn
61
        
               
Pedal Organ – 30 notes
32
   Harmonic Resultant
—
8
   Violoncello
30
16
   Open Diapason
30
4
   Bass Flute
30
16
   Bourdon
30
        
               
Couplers (by tablets)
    Swell to Great       Great to Pedal  
    Swell to Great super       Swell to Pedal  
    Choir to Great       Choir to Pedal  
    Choir to Great sub       Pedal at octaves  
    Swell to Choir          
    Great Separation       Bellows signal  
               
Pistons
    6 to Great Organ          
    4 to Swell Organ          
    3 to Choir Organ          
               
Pedal Movements
    Forte (full organ)       Balanced Swell Pedal  
    Piano       Great to Pedal reversible  
           
Sources:
     The American Organist: December 1929, July 1930, February 1931, March 1931, August 1931.
     Dunlap, David. From Abyssinian to Zion: A Guide to Manhattan's Houses of Worship. New York: Columbia University Press, 2004.
     Nelson, George. Organs in the United States and Canada Database. Seattle, Wash.
     Ochse, Orpha. Austin Organs. Richmond: The Organ Historical Society, 2001.
     Ogasapian, John. Organ Building in New York City: 1700-1900. Braintree: The Organ Literature Foundation, 1977.
     Webber, F.R. "Organ scrapbook" at Organ Historical Society Archives, Princeton, N.J. Specifications of George Jardine & Son organ (1894). Courtesy Jonathan Bowen.

Photos:
     Bowen, Jonathan. Console of Austin Organ, Op. 1640 (1929).