(new
images at bottom of page, July 2002)
Worcester
Chapter of the American Guild of Organists
Central Massachusetts Pipe Organ Specification Collection
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Mechanics
Hall "THE
WORCESTER ORGAN" |
Photography this page by Will Sherwood
E
& G G Hook 52 stops, 64 ranks, 3504 pipes
Wind supply
History Bibliography The Historical Organ in America, Lynn Edwards, ed., The Westfield Center, 1992 Preserving the Acoustics of Mechanics Hall: a Restoration Without Compromising Acoustical Integrity," W J Cavanaugh, Technology & Conservation (Fall, 1980).
Registration Chart Template for Organists
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Specification
I Choir (C-a3, 58)
II Great (C-a3, 58)
III Swell (C-a3, 58)
IV Solo (C-a3, 58)
Pedale (C-f1, 30, straight, flat pedalboard
Couplers
* Barker assist; (no way to disable Barkers) Combination pedals
Piano Swell
Forte Swell
Great to Pedale (reversible)
Pedale (brings on Diapason 16' and Pedale II stops' controls)
Piano Great
Forte Great
Piano Choir
Forte Choir
Accessories
Swell tremulant
Bellows signal (not used)
Pedale Check
Ventil 1 (Open Diapason 16')
Ventil 2 (Pedale II chest)
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Falling into disuse after the depression years, the Worcester County Mechanics Association restored it during the 1970s to its original beauty and excellent acoustics. Soon thereafter, the 1864 Hook organ was restored by Fritz Noack under the leadership of an AGO restoration committee headed by the late Stephen Long. Many fundraisers, such as selling organ chamber dust(!), were held to fund the project.
The organ, with chamber openings cloistered by large oil paintings of early American leaders, is the largest nineteenth century American concert hall organ that can still be heard in its original location. Additional building renovations were completed in 1990, and major maintenance is scheduled for the fall of 2002. Seating almost 1400 with a 1000-square-foot stage, Mechanics Hall retains its original purpose as a multi-use auditorium for concerts, business functions, receptions, and dinners-- a perfect location for a wedding, or a brown-bag organ recital. The 100-ft-long hall provides visual and acoustical intimacy with no sound-absorbing materials used in the surfaces (except seat cushions). The reverberation time at a concert with full audience, but no orchestra on stage, is 1.6 seconds. Its principal deficiency is the flat main floor which necessitates neck stretching to view performances. Architect: original hall, Elbridge Boyden; 1970s building renovation, Anderson Notter Finegold, Inc.; 1990s renovation, Lamoureaux Pagano & Associates, Inc.; Acoustical consultants (both renovations) Cavanaugh Tocci Associates, Inc.; Sound Consultants: David H Kaye. |
Picture Gallery
LEFT JAMB
RIGHT JAMB
Center
of facade, looking upward
Square rails and
stop lever mechanisms directly behind console
Fieldstone weights
for main bellows
Tracker transports
directly behind console
Pedal division
pipes
Ready to pump
manually if needed
Picture attached
to a structural support, inside chamber
Rumor has it that this is a Hook grandson, but we think he had something to
do with chickens
Photos from Sept. 2003 Brown
Bag for Kids held at Mechanics
Hall
Maria Ferrante, soprano; Betsy Northrupe, narrator; Will Sherwood, organ
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The
1970s restoration was a landmark in American organbuilding, culminating
with its rededication in September, 1982- this year we're celebrating
the restoration's twentieth anniversary.