Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

Brantley A. Duddy (1977)

Originally Austin Organ Co. (Opus 939, 1920)

Location:

SS. Peter and Paul R.C. Cathedral Basilica
18th St. & Benjamin Franklin Pkwy.
Philadelphia, PA 19103 US
Organ ID: 26270

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Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Roman Catholic Churches
  • The organ has been renovated with changes from its original state.
  • The organ's condition is playable, but not in usable condition.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on May 26, 2019.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: EP ventil
  • 82 ranks. 4,770 pipes. 8 divisions. 4 manuals. 68 stops. 90 registers.
All:
  • Chest Type(s): EP ventil chests
  • Position: In a gallery-level case at the rear of the room.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 26, 2019.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 8
  • Stops: 68
  • Registers: 90
  • Position: Console in fixed position, center.
  • Manual Compass: 61
  • Pedal Compass: 32
  • Key Action: Electrical connection from key to chest.
  • Stop Action: Electric connection between stop control and chest.
  • Console Style: Traditional style with roll top.
  • Stop Controls: Stop keys on angled jambs.
  • Combination Action: 'Hold and Set' pneumatic/mechanical system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals, AGO standard placement.
  • Pedalboard Type: Concave radiating pedalboard meeting AGO Standards.
  • Has Crescendo Pedal
  • Has Tutti Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Tutti Reversible Toe Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Thumb Pistons
  • Has Combination Action Toe Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Thumb Pistons
  • Has Coupler Reversible Toe Pistons
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 26, 2019.
Database Manager on May 27, 2019:

The console is from Austin Op. 1010 (1922), Eastman Theatre, Rochester, New York.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on May 27, 2019.
Database Manager on April 14, 2016:

Updated through online information from Philip J. Fillion.
The organ is in a deplorable condition due to minimal maintenance, and some unfortunate work. Presently the entire Gallery Swell division is unplayable, since at an unknown time the wind trunk to its windchest was cut to stop ciphers.

This wind trunk also fed the C# side of the Pedal Principal 16 and all Pedal stops from 8' up (added by Brantley Duddy on new chests next to the old case); thus they no longer play. A variety of action problems have caused a number of dead notes, and the combination action is no longer reliable, failing to both add and cancel stops in every division at various times.

The shutters to the Chancel Swell no longer function, nor do any stops in the Antiphonal. The electronic 32s continue to operate with some regularity. The Serpent 16' has been returned to its original home in St. Paul's Church, Chestnut Hill.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab List only of functioning stops, as of April 2016
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Organ Specification: Open In New Tab Specification prepared from console for 2002 AGO National Convention.
Document created on 2002-07-01
We received the most recent update for this document from Paul R. Marchesano on March 17, 2021.

Instrument Images:

Console: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 1984-06-06

Console: Photograph by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 1984-06-06

View of nave and organ in loft.: Photograph by Paul R Marchesano. Taken on 2006-09-04

Closer view of organ case and loft.: Photograph by Paul R Marchesano. Taken on 2006-09-04

View of Antiphonal facade, right front of the cathedral where the Austin Echo Division is installed.: Photograph by Paul R Marchesano. Taken on 2006-09-04

Close view of Antiphonal facade, front left of the cathedral where the Moller ranks were installed in the 1980s.: Photograph by Paul R Marchesano. Taken on 2006-09-04

Detail view of the case showing one of the carved angels.: Photograph by Paul R Marchesano. Taken on 2006-09-04

Detail view of one of the carved angels in the organ case.: Photograph by Paul R Marchesano. Taken on 2006-09-04

View of the dome, painted by Carlo Brumidi, 1860.: Photograph by Paul R Marchesano. Taken on 2006-09-04

Cathedral interior to rear and organ case: Photograph by Joseph Routon, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2017-01-19

Cathedral interior to front: Photograph by Joseph Routon, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2017-01-19

Cathedral exterior: Photograph by Beyond My Ken via Wikimedia, submitted by Jeff Scofield. Taken on 2013-05-03

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