Classical Organs or pipe organs as they are sometimes referred have been around as long as the church has been around if not longer.
The origins of the modern pipe organ can be traced way back to the hydraulis in Ancient Greece around 200BC in which the wind supply was created by the weight of displaced water in an airtight container.
By the 6th century AD, bellows were used to supply Byzantine organs with wind. Beginning in the 12th century, the organ began to evolve into a complex instrument capable of producing different timbres. Nowadays almost all church organs are electronic and organ sales, installation and maintenance is big business especially in the US and the UK As well as churches, pipe organs are also installed in concert halls, schools, other public buildings and even in private homes.
The pipe organ produces sound by driving compressed air through a series of organ pipes selected via a keyboard similar to a piano keyboard but much more complex. Because each pipe produces a single pitch, the pipes are provided in sets called ranks, each of which has a common timbre and volume throughout the keyboard compass. Most pipe organs have multiple ranks of pipes of differing timbre, pitch, and volume that the player can employ singly or in combination through the use of controls called stops.
What Is the Most Popular Organ?
Like most products there are wide range of different brands, styles and quality of organ on the market and to get the correct organ for your church, school or home you really need to consult and expert in the industry. If you have a budget then the expert will guide you to best organ for your money.
We spoke to Tony Packer, Managing Director of Viscount Organs Wales who told us that the most expensive organ is not always the best option especially for the home or the smaller concert hall. Viscount Organs Wales have many used and new organs for sale ranging from a little over £1,000 right up to a staggering £50,000 but say that their mid range organs such as the Regent 247 priced at a little over £22,000 and the Envoy 35F coming in at an affordable 14,000 are in fact their best selling organs and that they sell more of these models that all other organs put together.
When it comes to buying a new or second hand organ for your church, school, concert hall or home it's not a case of the more expensive the organ the better sounding it will be as the most expensive top of the range organs are simply too powerful for the home or small hall and the less expensive mid range models will sound much better in this smaller space.
Things to Consider when buying an organ
The finish can be an important factor if you want your organ to match the surrounding decor of you home or church, most organs come in Dark, Medium or Light oak wood veneer.
Illumination is another factor especially if you or your organist will be playing in low light or at night time, in this case Illuminated rocker tabs and an Illuminated music desk are a must. Stops and Playing aids are something else people look at and well as its storage capacity.
In Summary
When choosing a new or used organ for your church, school, concert hall or even for your own home it's always best to consult an expert so you can be sure that you are getting the best deal all round, not only for price but for sound quality.
