Aeolian-Skinner, 1957 [Hauptwerk]

Aeolian-Skinner, opus 1301

The Aeolian-Skinner pipe organ, opus 1301 was manufactured in 1956-1957, when the company tonal director was Joseph S. Whiteford who was the successor of the deceased G. Donald Harrison. The organ is still rooted in the Harrison's "American Classic" style, although Opus 1301 bears witness to the tonal philosophy of Harrison's later interests, when he experimented with modern versions of old German solo reeds (Krummhorn, Fagott, Rohr-Schalmei) and moved somewhat towards the (neo-)baroque design (principal choruses crowned with mixtures on all manuals, unenclosed pipework). Joseph S. Whiteford's tonal principles were similar to the late Harrison visions, perhaps putting even more emphasis on the baroque organbuilding principles (unnicked flues with expressive articulation, lower wind pressures, intense reeds).

The Opus 1301 is a rather universal instrument, upon which many schools of organ compositions will sound clear and plausible. Aeolian-Skinner organs are famous for the delicate and even voicing, decisive speech, and good blending of choruses, allowing clarity in polyphonic textures as well as graceful (even sublime) solo melodic lines.