The Wanamaker Legacy

Editorial Reviews
Album Description
The Wanamaker organ in Philadelphia is the world’s largest functioning musical instrument, and this is the first recording of it restored to full playing condition in the last 30 years. Recorded in 24-bit technology–audiophile quality sound. Booklet contains pictures of the organ, an extensive and colorful history of the organ and its place in American musical society, and notes by the organist, as well as 13 pages of detailed organ specifications!

Tracks:

Toccata
Dedicase
Marche Religieuse
Come, Sweet Death
Cortege Et Litanie, Op.19
I. Le Monde Dans L'Attente Du Sauveur
II. Nativite
III. Crucifixion
IV. Resurrection

Album Description

The Wanamaker organ in Philadelphia is the world's largest functioning musical instrument, and this is the first recording of it restored to full playing condition in the last 30 years. Recorded in 24-bit technology-audiophile quality sound. Booklet contains pictures of the organ, an extensive and colorful history of the organ and its place in American musical society, and notes by the organist, as well as 13 pages of detailed organ specifications!

Customer Reviews:

Incredible..........2007-04-10

This is my first exposure to Peter Conte or the Wanamaker organ. WOW - I can't believe what I've been missing all this time. Mr. Conte's playing is technically flawless & exhibits musicianship of the highest calibre. And the glorious sound of this organ, so well recorded here - nothing short of stupendous! I keep listening to track 9 - the Dupre "Resurrection" movement - over and over - it is more than stunning!! I can't wait to hear more of Peter Conte or this incredible organ! Thank you!

I guess I missed it............2006-04-07

At the time of this writing there were 35 used 'The Wanamaker Legacy' cd's for sale. That speaks volumes for this cd......make it 36. Such a beautiful instrument wasted on such noise as recorded here.

A Great Organ, played expertly........2006-03-22

The Wanamaker organ is one of the truly great organs of the
world. This CD does a masterful job of capturing its grandure.

Wanamaker Organ NOT the biggest..........2005-12-25

OK, if you want to get technical, it's the largest PLAYABLE organ but the Atlantic City Convention Hall Organ (for which a restoration program has FINALLY begun) was and is the biggest at 7 manuals 33114 pipes; not to mention that its a unified organ meaning it has many more voices and range then the pipe count might let on. I say all this not to take away from the Wanamaker organ of which I'm also an aficionado, but just to set the record straight; for some reason the Atlantic City Organ is simultaneously the greatest and most neglected musical instrument in the world. If your unfamiliar with it, go to http://www.acchos.org/ and check it out.

Having gotten THAT out of my system, I must recommend this recording. Peter Conte is phenomonal, and the Wanamaker organ has not sounded better since Rodman Wanamaker was alive. Just buy it. Buy "Magic!" (the other Conte/Wanamaker Organ disc) while your at it; you won't be disappointed.

The world's best and biggest organ is back!.......2005-03-19

Countless years ago in a college course on American music taught by the Music School's organ teacher I learned that the Wanamaker organ was the world's biggest. Subsequently I bought an LP of Virgil Fox playing the instrument (in the 60's, as I recall). I enjoyed the LP very much and in spite of flaws and clicks I played it many times.

Through the many intervening years, however, the organ (and, indeed, Wanamaker's department store) suffered some setbacks and we heard little or nothing from the unique, but increasingly delapidated instrument. But in recent years organized efforts to restore this pride and joy of John and Rodman Wanamaker have paid off big time, and the organ is pretty much back in shape today. (Indeed it is even improved in some respects.)

To celebrate its return we have Peter Conte playing an excellent recital of pieces mostly connected in some way or other with the organ. This, then, is an historic recording: a monument of sorts to the devotion of organ-lovers past and present who just would not let a great instrument die. And it IS a great instrument, not only in size, but in the sheer beauty and enormous richness of its sound. (There are several large organs around today, some perhaps larger than this, but none is so beautiful.)

So if you are a fan of organs and/or organ music, you really ought to have this recording. No collection of organ music would be truly sufficient without it. The organ is unique and this is a very fine sample of what it can do.

My old teacher told only part of the story: the Wanamaker is not only the biggest (?), but also the best! (And if you want to compare its sound today with that of the 60's, I'm pleased to say the Virgil Fox recital has finally been re-released on CD!)

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