April 11  |  Christ Church Cathedral Choir sings Thomas Tallis'

April 18  | Della Enns (piano), Jacquie Fennell (violin)

April 25 | Rookwood Chamber Players: Dona Wiedmann (violin), Jessica Madsen (piano)

Bring your own lunch or purchase one at the cathedral.

The Lord said, "Go out and stand on the mountain in the presence of the Lord, for the Lord is about to pass by." Then a great and powerful wind tore the mountains apart and shattered the rocks before the Lord, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. After the earthquake came a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire came a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he pulled his cloak over his face and went out and stood at the mouth of the cave. Then a voice said to him, "What are you doing here, Elijah?" (1 Kings 19:11-13, NIV)

  

In the passage about Elijah, the Lord was not in the wind which tore the mountains apart; He was not in the earthquake nor was He in the fire. "After the fire came a gentle whisper" and it was that whisper to which Elijah responded. The Chapel organ, C.B. Fisk Op. 148, is like this gentle whisper; it is the exquisite gentleness and intimacy of children's voices, the subtle and mysterious qualities which can be heard in perfect quietness, in prayerfulness. Intruding noises can cover and destroy the intimate presence of the voice. That voice is vulnerable. Op. 148 can become the instrument through which we hear that "gentle whisper."

 

This is not to say the sound is always small. It can be full and robust. But the most special character, that gives this organ the possibility of being a landmark instrument, is in its subtle detailed beauty. Today loud noises abound and much of the music heard has become louder and louder through the passing years, sometimes causing ear damage. When sounds become very loud, subtlety and beauty are lost to the point that the only quality remaining is loudness. The greatest instruments are not particularly loud, but have a wide range of color, depth and dynamic shadings. And the sound has a marvelous carrying quality to the furthest reaches of the room. These great instruments have distinctive voices, never generic or common.

The use of low wind pressure in the Italian tradition is part of the reason for the special sound qualities of Op. 148. Attention to many other details is also critical. These include the careful control of metal content, selection of the best woods and consummate artistic craftsmanship, all created through the talent and passion of the very best people working today. In addition, all elements in the room must work together to enable that "gentle whisper" to be heard, for the room is part of the instrument too. When it is heard, that "gentle whisper" can change the world.