thoughts on the news of the day: pipe organs

hmmm…..

            The Wanamaker pipe organ in Philadelphia turned 100 this week.  The organ was first created in 1911 to mark the coronation of King George V.  It traveled from London to the United States when the retail magnate, Rodman Wanamaker wanted it for his store.  Now this is no small organ; it was originally built with over 10,000 pipes.  Still not big enough for the seven story atrium of the building, pipes were added over the years and now they number at about 28,400.

            Pipe organs are not the most popular instruments these days.  The sound is generally thought of as “old school”; that is, not in tune with today’s sound.  Plus they are impossible to move, so you can’t take a pipe organ on the road.  You have to go to it.

            My brother is a monk in France.  He is what you might call “old school” also.  He has made a vow to stay within the confines of the monastery and not travel, except on rare occasions, such as going to the doctor.  If we want to visit him, we have to go to him, kind of like a pipe organ.

            In our highly mobile world, it’s kind of refreshing to know that there are things and people that are immoveable.  They are always there, ready to share the beauty and gifts that they have been given with those of us who are wandering.  Makes me want to stay put … well, kind of …

            hmmm…..