From 7-17 October we were in the USA for my nephew’s Philadelphia wedding. I was allowed a ‘day off’ which I spent at the glorious mansion close to Philadelphia which now is the home of the Organ Historical Society. I was welcomed royally and spent a wonderful time there, mainly looking at their unique collection of organ literature and archival material, all stored in climate controlled rooms – former bedrooms in this grand country house. What a treat! As was the chance to play the Aeolian-Skinner.
This was the very first organ made after the Skinner takeover of Aeolian so in effect it is a typical lavish Aeolian, with pipes and mechanism below floor level in several chambers, emerging through grand bronze grilles in the floor. Gentle and lush, it boasts four undulating ranks and three Vox Humanas!