A primary aim in the programming was to feature some of Philadelphia ’ s most singular organs in conversation with other instruments , with film , with unexpected repertoire , and with historic buildings around the city . Philadelphia is rightly famous for its many symphonic organs from the first half of the 20th century , and four of these were heard in very different programs . For the opening-night concert on the famed E . M . Skinner organ of Girard College Chapel , Chelsea Chen teamed up with a brass ensemble in a program with approachable music , featuring transcriptions from Bach chorales and an arrangement of the finale from Camille Saint-Saëns ’ s Organ Symphony . A special treat on the program was an arrangement of Ravel ’ s Boléro for organ , percussion , and ten brass players that delivered singular color and bombast in the impressive trapezoidal chapel building — whose organ is placed above the ceiling !
Later in the opening weekend , the festival held a concert at Tindley Temple , one of Philadelphia ’ s most storied African American congregations . This church , founded by Dr . Charles Albert Tindley , a father of gospel music , houses a four-manual symphonic organ from M . P . Möller that is both monumental and exceptionally well preserved . Together with singers from the Marian Anderson Society , Curtis Institute of Music professor Alan Morrison paid tribute to the famous contralto and civil rights pioneer Marian Anderson , drawing inspiration from several recitals she performed in this church at the height of her career .
On the vintage Whitelegg-Möller organ of the Episcopal Cathedral , recently moved from another church and installed at the cathedral by Emery Brothers , Daryl Robinson brought a program of exciting contemporary music alongside his own fresh transcription of Holst ’ s The Planets for organ and percussion ensemble . In this church , the ensemble was positioned at the front of the nave , allowing the audience to see the full team of musicians at work . For the final concert , Organ Festival attendees traveled outside city limits to hear the unusual organ at Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square . This instrument , the largest ever built by the Aeolian Organ Company , is full of unusual colors , including numerous percussion stops . Alcée Chriss III
10 SACRED PLACES • WINTER 2025