St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City (Photo: Mike Baker - www.bakerlite.co.uk)

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Cathedral of Saint Patrick
(Roman Catholic)

Fifth Avenue at 51st Street
New York, NY 10022
http://www.saintpatrickscathedral.org



Organ Specifications:
Fifth Avenue at 51st Street (since 1879):
V/150 Geo. Kilgen & Son (1928-30); rev. Paragallo (1993)
IV/114 Geo. Kilgen & Son, Op. 5918 (1930) – Gallery and Echo
III/23 Geo. Kilgen & Son, Op. 3920 (1928) – Chancel
II/23 J.H. & C.S. Odell, Op. 175 (1880) – Chancel
IV/56 George Jardine & Son (1879) – Gallery
290 Mulberry Street (1809-1879):
Present Building (since 1868) – See Old St. Patrick's Cathedral
III/46 Henry Erben & Co. (1866-68)
First Building (1809-burned 1866):
 Henry Erben & Co. (1852)
• Hall & Erben (1824)
           
Engraving of Old St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City  
Original Cathedral  
The original St. Patrick's Cathedral, located at 260 Mulberry Street, was built between 1809-1815 on land used as the cemetery of St. Peter's Church. The cathedral's Irish Catholic parishioners were often at odds with local agitators. In 1836, a mob attempted to ransack the cathedral, but defenders cut holes in the wall for their muskets and posted sentries outside, successfully thwarting damage to the cathedral. Although the cathedral was then the largest religious structure in the city, Archbishop John J. Hughes envisioned a new and grander cathedral uptown, to serve as a "public architectural monument of the present and prospective greatness of this metropolis." In 1852, land was purchased far uptown on the relatively-uninhabited Fifth Avenue, and the cornerstone for a new cathedral was laid in 1858 by Archbishop Hughes. Meanwhile, a fire in 1866 caused great damage to the original cathedral, but it was rebuilt and rededicated in 1868. Construction on the new cathedral ground to a halt during the years of the Civil War (c.1860-65), but Archbishop John McCloskey (who in 1875 became the first American Cardinal) resumed work in 1865. Upon the consecration of the new cathedral in 1879, the old cathedral became a parish church and is known today as "Old St. Patrick's Cathedral".

  Interior - St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City
The new cathedral's twin-towered Gothic design, by James Renwick Jr., and William Rodrigue, Hughes' brother-in-law, was influenced by Cologne Cathedral, which was being completed after a hiatus of several centuries. Archbishop Michael Corrigan added the towers on the West Front in 1888 and began work on the east addition, including the Lady Chapel, as designed by Charles Mathews, in 1901. Cardinal Hayes completed an extensive renovation of the interior between 1927 and 1931 when the great organ was installed and the sanctuary was enlarged.

1883 Advertisement for Jardine & Son Organbuilders, featuring their 1879 organ at St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City

St. Patrick's Organ Case
in Jardine & Son ad (1883)
A History of the Organs

The original organ in Saint Patrick's Cathedral was built in 1879 by Geo. Jardine & Son, one of New York's organ builders during the later half of the 19th century. In 1926, Pietro Yon was appointed Organist/Director of Music, and plans were initiated to replace the Jardine organ. The St. Louis firm of Geo. Kilgen & Son was contracted to build two new instruments according to designs heavily influenced by Mr. Yon.


The Kilgen company first installed the Chancel Organ in 1928. Its 1,480 pipes are encased in the north Ambulatory, diagonally across from the console. The Chancel Organ complements the Gallery Organ in the playing of hymns and also provides the music for services held in the Lady Chapel.

During the installation period and concurrent renovation of the cathedral in 1927-31, a concrete-reinforced extension to the original gallery was constructed to accommodate the new Gallery Organ. In 1930, the Grand Gallery Organ, with one of the nation's most glorious wood façades adorned with angels and Latin inscriptions, was completed.


Grand Gallery Organ Case - Kilgen, Op. 3920 (1929) - St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City (Photo: David Garvey; used by permission)  

Gallery Organ Case

 
Tonal changes were made to the organs in the 1940s and 50s by Charles Courboin, the Belgian-born virtuoso who succeeded Pietro Yon. Courboin was organist at St. Patrick's Cathedral from 1943-1973, and had been organist for the John Wanamaker stores in Philadelphia and New York. In the 1970s, John Grady, cathedral organist from 1970-1990 and also organist of the Metropolitan Opera, instigated the revoicing of many reeds and the addition of the Trompette en Chamade. In 1993, after more than 60 years of daily use, a complete refurbishing of both organs was begun. First, two identical five-manual drawknob consoles were constructed and installed in 1993 by Robert M. Turner Organs, Hacienda Heights, CA. Next, wood craftsmen cleaned, repaired and oiled the hand-carved organ façade. Paragallo Pipe Organ Company of Paterson, NJ, was awarded the contract to clean and restore all of the pipework, as well as the chests and wind systems. The façade pipes were returned to their original finish, with a protective coating added to prevent oxidation. Finally, the Echo organ, situated in the south triforium near the crossing, underwent tonal modifications, including the addition of a new principal chorus and a solo trumpet stop; it is now called the Nave Organ.

The combined Gallery, Nave and Chancel organs have 177 stops with a total of more than 9,000 pipes. Both organs can be played from either five-manual console.
         

Grand Gallery Organ Case - Kilgen, Op. 3920 (1929) - St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)

Geo. Kilgen & Son
St. Louis, MO
Grand Gallery Organ – Opus 5918 (1930); rev. Peragallo (1993)
Chancel Organ – Opus 3920 (1928); rev. Peragallo (1993)
Electro-pneumatic action
Twin 5-manual drawknob consoles, 150 ranks
               

GRAND GALLERY ORGAN

               
Gallery Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes, 6" pressure
16
  Diapason
4
  Erzähler
16
  Violone
2 2/3
  Quinte
8
  First Diapason
2
  Fifteenth
8
  Second Diapason
2
  Claribel Flute [ext.]
8
  Violoncello
1 3/5
  Tierce
8
  Viola Sorda
1 1/3
  Larigot
8
  Gemshorn
 
  Fourniture IV ranks
8
  Flute harmonique +
 
  Cymbale IV ranks
8
  Bourdon
16
  Posaune [8" pressure]
5 1/3
  Gross Quinte
8
  Trompette
4
  Principal
8
  Trumpet
4
  Octave [ext. 2nd Diapason]
4
  Clarion [ext. Trumpet]
4
  Flute Octaviante + [ext. Fl.H.]

 

  Great MIDI
4
  Clarabella
     

 

     

 

     
Gallery Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed, 6" pressure
16
  Salicional
4
  Salicet [ext. 16]
16
  Bourdon
2
  Super Octave
8
  Diapason
1 1/3
  Larigot
8
  Violin Diapason
  Fourniture V ranks
8
  Viola da Gamba
 
  Cymbale III ranks
8
  Viole d'Orchestre
16
  Contra Fagotto
8
  Viole Celeste
8
  Trompette
8
  Flute Harmonique
8
  Corno di Bassetto
8
  Clarinet Flute
8
  Oboe
8
  Salicional [ext. 16]
8
  Vox Humana
8
  Voix Celeste
4
  Clarion
4
  Prestant
 
  Tremolo
4
  Octave [ext. Diapason]
8
  Trompette en Chamade

SO

4
  Forest Flute

 

  Swell MIDI
4
  Dolce Flute [ext. Clarinet Flute]

 

     

 

     

 

     
Gallery Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed, 6" pressure
16
  Contra Viola
4
  Flauto Traverso
16
  Quintaton
4
  Rohrflöte
8
  Diapason
4
  Violetta [ext. 16]
8
  Geigen Diapason
2
  Super Viola [ext. 16]
8
  Doppelflöte
2
  Piccolo
8
  Gamba
  Mixture III ranks
8
  Viola [ext. 16 Contra Viola]
8
  Schalmei
8
  Concert Flute
8
  Orchestral Oboe
8
  Flute Celeste
8
  Clarinet
8
  Quintadena [ext. 16]
 
  Tremolo
8
  Cor de Nuit
 
  Harp + °
8
  Cor de Nuit Celeste
  Celesta + °
4
  Fugara
8
  Trompette en Chamade

SO

 

     

 

     
Gallery Solo Organ (Manual IV) – 61 notes, enclosed, 10" pressure (reeds 20")
16
  Contra Gamba
8
  Tuba  [ext. 16]
8
  Stentorphone
8
  French Horn
8
  Solo Flute
8
  English Horn
8
  Gross Gamba [ext. 16]
8
  Tuba Clarion [ext. 16]
8
  Gamba Celeste
  Tremolo
4
  Octave
8
  Trompette en Chamade
4
  Flute Ouverte [ext. Solo Flute]

 

          [unenclosed, 33" pressure]
1 3/5
  Tierce

 

  Chimes
CH
 
  Mixture III ranks

 

  Harp °
CH
16
  Tuba Profunda

 

  Celesta °
8
  Trompette

 

  Solo MIDI  

 

     

 

     
Gallery String Organ (floating) – 61 notes, enclosed, 6" pressure
16
  Contra Salicional
4
  Violina
8
  Viola
4
  Salicet [ext. 16]
8
  Viola Celeste
2
  Salicet [ext. 16]
8
  Viole d'Orchestre
  Tremolo
8
  Salicional [ext. 16]
 
Zimbelstern +

10 bells

8
  Voix Celeste
     

 

     

 

     
Gallery Pedal Organ – 32 notes, 6" pressure
64
  Gravissima  
8
  Gamba
SO
 
     [derived from 32 Diapason]
8
  Cello
GT
32
  Diapason [open wood, 4"]  
8
  Gedeckt
SW
  [E.M. Skinner; 1-12 in north triforium]
4
  Super Octave
32
  Contra Violone ° +  
4
  Flute [ext. 16 Bourdon]
32
  Bourdon ° +  
  Mixture V ranks
16
  Principal  
16
  Tuba Profunda
SO
16
  First Diapason  
16
  Posaune
GT
16
  Second Diapason
GT
16
  Contra Fagotto
SW
16
  Violone
GT
 8
  Posaune 
GT
16
  Bourdon
    Pedal MIDI
16
  Contra Gamba
SO
       
16
  Viola
CH

 Jeux des Bombardes # (in south triforium)

16
  Salicional
SW
32
  Contra Bombarde
98
16
  Dolce Bass
16
  Bombarde [ext.]
16
  Bourdon
SW
8
  Trompette [ext.]
8
  Octave  
4
  Clairon [ext.]
8
  Flute (ext. 16 Bourdon)       # unenclosed, 18" pressure

 

     

 

     
Nave Organ (Manual V) – 61 notes, 5" pressure (in the south triforium, at the crossing)
16
  Bourdon
8
  Trompette Harmonique +  [ext.]
8
  Diapason ^
8
  Trumpet ^  
8
  Bourdon  [ext.]
8
  Oboe Horn ^  
8
  Melodia ^
8
  Vox Humana ^  
8
  Gamba ^
4
  Clairon Harmonique +  [ext.]  
8
  Gamba Celeste ^
8
  Triforium Trumpet +  
4
  Octave ^
 
     [unenclosed, 18" pressure]
4
  Stopped Flute  [ext.]
8
  Trompette en Chamade

SO

4
  Violetta ^

 

  Chimes ^  
2
  Super Octave ^

 

  Tremolo  
 
  Fourniture IV ranks

 

     
16
  Bombarde ^

 

  ^ enclosed  

 

     

 

     
Nave Pedal Organ – 32 notes
16
  Sub Bass  

8

  Trompette Harmonique

NAV

16
  Bourdon  

8

  Triforium Trumpet

NAV

8
  Flute [ext. 16 Bourdon]  

 

  Chimes
NAV
16
  Bombarde

NAV

 

     

 

     

 

  + new stops added 1994-97
            ° Walker digital stops

 

     

 

     

CHANCEL ORGAN

 

     

 

     
Chancel Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Diapason
4
  Octave
8
  First Diapason
4
  Flute [ext. Melodia]
8
  Second Diapason [ext. 16]
2
  Flautino
8
  Bourdon
 
  Mixture III ranks
8
  Melodia
8
  Trumpet
8
  Viola da Gamba

CH

4
  Clarion [ext.]
8
  Dulciana

CH

 

     

 

     

 

     
Chancel Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt
2
  Principal
8
  Gedeckt [ext.]
2
  Gedecktflöte [ext.]
8
  Salicional
8
  Cornopean
8
  Voix Celeste
8
  Oboe
4
  Harmonic Flute
8
  Vox Humana
4
  Gedeckt [ext.]

 

  Tremolo
4
  Salicet [ext.]

 

     

 

     

 

     
Chancel Choir Organ (Manual I) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Bass Flute
4
  Gambette
16
  Dulciana
4
  Flute

GT

8
  Diapason

GT

4
  Dulcet [ext.]
8
  Viola da Gamba
2
  Flautino

GT

8
  Melodia

GT

8
  Orchestral Oboe [synthetic]
8
  Dulciana [ext.]
8
  Clarinet
4
  Principal

 

  Tremolo

 

     

 

     
Chancel Pedal Organ – 32 notes
32
  Resultant
8
  Gamba
CH
16
  Diapason

GT

8
  Gedeckt
SW
16
  Bourdon
16
  Double Trumpet
GT
16
  Lieblich Gedeckt

SW

8
  Trumpet
GT
8
  Bass Flute [ext. 16 Bourdon]
4
  Clarion
GT

 

     

 

     

Gallery Organ Console - Kilgen, Op. 3920 (1929) - St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)

 

Chancel Organ Console - Kilgen, Op. 3920 (1929) - St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City (photo: Steven E. Lawson)

Gallery Console (Turner, 1993)

 

Chancel Console (Turner, 1993)

           

Original Gallery Organ Console - Kilgen, Op. 3920 (1929) - St. Patrick's Cathedral - New York City (The Diapason, July 1930)

Geo. Kilgen & Son
St. Louis, MO – Opus 5918 (1930) – West Gallery and Echo
Electro-pneumatic action
4 manual stopkey console, 157 stops, 114 ranks
               
Great Organ (Manual II) – 61 notes
16
  Diapason
85
4
  Diapason
16
  Bourdon
85
4
  Principal
61
8
  First Diapason
61
4
  Clarabel Flute
61
8
  Second Diapason
4
  Flute Harmonic
61
8
  Horn Diapason
61
4
  Violina Sorda
8
  Philomela
61
2 2/3
  Nazard
8
  Clarabella
73
2
  Flute Octaviante
8
  Gamba
61
 
  Ripieno IV ranks
244
8
  Doppel Flute
61
16
  Posaune
61
8
  Violoncello
61
8
  Tromba
73
8
  Gedeckt
4
  Tromba Clarion
8
  Viol d'Amour
61
  Chimes
SO

 

     

 

   
Swell Organ (Manual III) – 61 notes, enclosed
16
  Salicional
97
4
  Salicional
16
  Bourdon
97
4
  Forest Flute
73
8
  Diapason Phonon
73
4
  Dolce Flute
8
  Open Diapason
73
2
  Flautino
61
8
  Small Diapason
85
 
  Ripieno V ranks
305
8
  Stopped Flute
73
  Dolce Cornet III ranks
183
8
  Flute Harmonic
73
16
  Fagotto
73
8
  Viol d'Gamba
73
8
  Cornopean
73
8
  Viol d'Orchestre
73
8
  Corno di Bassetto
73
8
  Viol Celeste
73
8
  Oboe
85
8