The Wanamaker Grand Court Organ in Philadelphia holds the title for the largest working instrument in the world, reports Elaine Quijano for CBS News Philadelphia.
“What we have here is the largest organ chamber in the world,” said Curt Mangel, the curator of the Wanamaker Organ. “Everything was made by hand. No instrument in the world sounds like this.”
The instrument’s roughly 28,700 pipes each correspond to one note, which helps in creating its remarkable range of sound.
“The Liberty Bell is the heart of Philadelphia,” said Mangel. “The grand court organ is its voice.”
Originally constructed for the 1904 World’s Fair, the organ lay dormant for years until notable merchant John Wanamaker brought it to Philadelphia to delight his customers. By 1911, he had created an opulent shopping environment where Philadelphians could find a variety of products all in one location for the first time.
The massive building absorbed much of the organ’s sound, leading Wanamaker to expand it by adding around 18,000 more pipes to the original 10,000.
“No organ in the world has as many strings as the Wanamaker,” Mangel said.
Peter Richard Conte, who has served as its organist for 37 years, aims to give people a sense of wonder and joy each time he plays it.
Watch the entire segment about the Wanamaker Grand Court Organ at CBS News Philadelphia.
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