Pipe Organ Database

a project of the organ historical society

E.F. Walcker & Cie. (Opus 200, 1863)

Location:

Boston Music Hall
Boston, MA US
Organ ID: 41279

Update This Entry

Status and Condition:

  • This instrument's location type is: Auditoriums and Concert Halls
  • The organ has been relocated.
  • The organ's condition is unknown.
We received the most recent update for this instrument's status from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.

Technical Details:

  • Chests: Information unknown or not applicable
  • 5 divisions. 4 manuals. 90 stops. 89 registers.
All:
  • Position: In a case at the front of the room.
We received the most recent update for this division from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Main:
  • Manuals: 4
  • Divisions: 5
  • Stops: 90
  • Registers: 89
  • Position: Keydesk attached.
  • Manual Compass: 56
  • Pedal Compass: 30
  • Key Action: Mechanical connection from key to chest (tracker, sticker or mix).
  • Console Style: Traditional style without cover.
  • Stop Controls: Drawknobs in horizontal rows on terraced/stepped jambs.
  • Combination Action: Fixed mechanical system.
  • Swell Control Type: Balanced swell shoes/pedals.
  • Pedalboard Type: Flat straight pedalboard.
We received the most recent update for this console from Database Manager on May 13, 2018.
Database Manager on June 08, 2009:

Identified through on-line information from James R. Stettner. -- Contract was not to have exceeded $25,000.00. Final cost was $60,000.00. Organ fell into disfavor with the formation and popularity of the symphony. Insufficient room on stage for both organ and symphony. Sold in 1884 for $5,000.00 to William O. Grover whose intent was to give it to the New England Conservatory. Organ removed by Geo. S. Hutchings. Grover died and organ lay in storage. Sold at auction in 1897 to settle Grover's estate. Purchased for Edward F. Searles by Dr. Jabez Baxter Upham for $1,500.00. Organ placed in storage in Methuen while Serlo Hall built. Upham died in 1902. Serlo Hall completed in 1909. Organ re-installed by Methuen Organ Co.

We received the most recent update for this note from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Source not recorded: Open In New Tab Typed stoplist (Source: Hopkins, 1870)
We received the most recent update for this stoplist from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.
Description from 1863 of the new organ: Open In New Tab Document created on 2000-01-01
We received the most recent update for this document from Database Manager on April 09, 2020.

Instrument Images:

Organ at front of Music Hall: Public Domain image from Wikipedia. Taken on 1900-01-01

Etching of organ: From the Dec. 12, 1863 issue of Harpers Weekly, pg. 788. Taken on 1863-12-12

Original keydesk: Photo by James R. Stettner. Taken on 1989-09-27

Pipe Organs in Massachusetts sponsored by:
This instrument has been viewed 1,654 times.