Organ glow

[vaneramos]

Here is a video clip from a concert given last night on the pipe organ at Geneva Presbyterian Church in Chesley. Les and I drove up together for the evening. The refurbishment of this 1929 instrument is the first major organ-building project in which I have participated from beginning to end, so it was with awe and a little pride that I finally heard it played. Many of the bits and pieces I've photographed over the past five months are now housed at the front of this church.

The organ has a clear, warm, mellow tone, very pleasing, and the old church with its gently arched roof and wood floors possesses excellent acoustics. If your computer has a sub-woofer, make sure it's turned on so you can feel some of the pedal notes.

Chesley is a small farm community miles from anywhere, but the congregation obviously appreciated the organ's transformation. Golden evening sunlight slanted through the stained glass windows, contributing to a mood of peace and pleasure.

I think the guest organist's name was Rob McLean, from a United Church in downtown Brampton. He performed Mozart, Bach, Pachelbel and a few hymns arranged for organ solo. Here, I managed to record Handel's Largo in its entirety.