Chamber Organ
The chamber organ is a moderately-sized piped organ. It typically has a single manual, a limited number of stops, and a limited pedalboard or no pedals at all. It is generally intended for use in small chapels, in homes, or other intimate rooms. As it is capable of long sustained tones, it is sometimes preferable to harpsichord as a continuo instrument in chamber ensembles.
Such instruments might also be used in small churches, like those found in small towns and villages throughout the United States in the nineteenth century. Chamber organs were largely usurped by reed organs after the middle of the century.
Technical description: One manual C-f3, bone naturals with plain wood fronts, stained accidentals, two ranks of wood pipes (8' stopped diapason with C-G-sharp pipes horizontal at rear of case, 4' open diapason with 17 stopped basses) operated by levers in wells to left and right of keyboard, feeder and reservoir at bottom of case, pumped by pedal at front, wind gauge is a small moving dowel in well right of keyboard, upright case with false wood graining, fabric-covered panel over keyboard, keybed supported by scrolls, access panels at rear of case.
Such instruments might also be used in small churches, like those found in small towns and villages throughout the United States in the nineteenth century. Chamber organs were largely usurped by reed organs after the middle of the century.
Technical description: One manual C-f3, bone naturals with plain wood fronts, stained accidentals, two ranks of wood pipes (8' stopped diapason with C-G-sharp pipes horizontal at rear of case, 4' open diapason with 17 stopped basses) operated by levers in wells to left and right of keyboard, feeder and reservoir at bottom of case, pumped by pedal at front, wind gauge is a small moving dowel in well right of keyboard, upright case with false wood graining, fabric-covered panel over keyboard, keybed supported by scrolls, access panels at rear of case.
Artwork Details
- Title: Chamber Organ
- Date: mid-19th century
- Geography: Indiana or Ohio, United States
- Culture: American
- Medium: Wood, various materials
- Dimensions: Height: 148.5 cm (58-1/2 in.)
Width: 123.2 cm (48-1/2 in.)
Depth: 63.7 cm (25-1/8 in.) - Classification: Aerophone-Organ
- Credit Line: Purchase, Gift of Mr. and Mrs. Robert P. Freedman, by exchange, 1989
- Object Number: 1989.124
- Curatorial Department: Musical Instruments
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