10 great places to be enthralled by heavenly music
— -- Holiday-themed organ music seems ubiquitous as Christmas draws near — a good time to ask TonyThurman, director of development and communications for the American Guild of Organists, about where to go for notable sight-and-sound experiences. He shares his picks with Tim Smight for USA TODAY.
Mormon Tabernacle Salt Lake City
The Mormon Tabernacle, world famous for its choir, also has an excellent organ music program, Thurman says. "The Tabernacle organ is one of the world's largest and most intricate, with more than 11,000 functioning pipes. The organ has been enlarged and renovated several times, but some of its pipe work dates from the original 1867 instrument." 801-240-4150; mormontabernaclechoir.org
Grace Cathedral San Francisco
Grace Cathedral sits on Nob Hill, affording striking views of the city and San Francisco Bay. "The building itself, of Gothic design, is breathtaking, and the organ, which dates from the 1930s, is gorgeous," Thurman says. "Grace has a tremendous music series, with over 400 services and concerts scheduled each year. Some of it is rather unique because they embrace what's called organ improvisation — a highly specialized art form in organ playing." 415-749-6300; gracecathedral.org
Riverside Church New York
Modeled after the 13th-century Gothic cathedral in Chartres, France, the Riverside Church is located on Manhattan's Upper West Side near Columbia University. Its pipe organ, built in 1930 and expanded over the years, is one of the largest in the country. "The organ was played for years by the late Virgil Fox, a very famous and flamboyant organ virtuoso," Thurman says. "He really put Riverside on the map, and it remains a premier venue for organ music. The building's acoustics are fantastic." 212-870-6700; theriversidechurchny.org
Fourth Presbyterian Church Chicago
Fourth Presbyterian, in downtown Chicago on Michigan Avenue's Magnificent Mile, boasts the largest organ in the city and one of the largest in the Midwest. "It's a very elaborate instrument with a wonderfully rich and complex sound," Thurman says. "The church has an outstanding program of organ recitals and choral singing, particularly during the holiday season." 312-787-4570; fourthchurch.org
