Organ homepage Fairchild Chapel Finney Chapel Warner Concert Hall Kulas Organ Center Finney Chapel - Organ Construction Photos August 2, 1999		The Kay Africa Memorial Organ A new 76-rank, three-manual French romantic organ, designed and constructed by C.B. Fisk, Inc., acclaimed organ builders of Gloucester, Massachusetts, is in its new home in Oberlin College's Finney Chapel. Opus 116 is based upon the symphonic style of the great French organ builder Aristide Cavaillé-Coll. The dedication of the new 4,014 pipe organ was the centerpiece of concerts and events which took place on the weekend of September 28, 2001. For 85 years, an organ designed and built by E.M. Skinner in 1914 and extensively rebuilt by the firm Aeolian-Skinner in the early 1950s, served Oberlin College in Finney Memorial Chapel. That organ has been dismantled (in late-June 1999) and shipped to Indianapolis for renovation before being installed in its new home in Truro Episcopal Church of Fairfax, Virginia. The organ is an ideal instrument for the performance of 19th and 20th century repertoire, particularly French romantic literature, and complements existing Conservatory organs and the repertoire they serve. The Fisk organ retains much of the existing façade and case-work (part of Cass Gilbert's original architecture for Finney Chapel), however, it was augmented and adjusted to be in a style more typical of a French romantic instrument. The organ draws on the tradition of master-builder of the 19th century, Cavaillé-Coll, remarkable for his vast tonal palette .   Specification For C.B Fisk Opus 116 Grand Orgue, 61 notes, Manual I Positif, 61 notes, Manual II, enclosed Montre 16 Quintaton 16 Bourdon 16 Principal 8 Montre 8 Salicional 8 Gamba 8 Unda maris 8 Flûte harmonique 8 Cor de Nuit 8 Bourdon 8 Prestant 4 Prestant 4 Flûte douce 4 Octave 4 Nasard 2 2/3 Doublette 2 Doublette 2 Grande Fourniture II Tierce 1 3/5 Petite Fourniture V-VIII Larigot 1 1/3 Dessus de Cornet V Piccolo 1 Bombarde 16 Plein jeu IV Trompette 8 Cor anglais 16 Clairon 4 Trompette 8 Clarinette 8 Recit, 61 notes, Manual III, enclosed Bourdon 16 Pedale, 32 notes Diapason 8 Montre 32 Viole de gambe 8 Bourdon 32 Voix céleste 8 Contrebasse 16 Flute traversiere 8 Montre 16 Bourdon 8 Violonbasse 16 Dulciane 4 Sousbasse 16 Flute octaviante 4 Flûte 8 Octavin 2 Violoncelle 8 Plein jeu III-IV Bourdon 8 Basson 16 Flûte 4 Trompette 8 Contrebombarde 32 Basson-Hautbois 8 Bombarde 16 Voix humaine 8 Trompette 8 Clairon 4 Clairon 4 There are two operating modes selectable by thumb pistons with LED indicators. The first mode is Mode Français; the second is American Mode. The two modes are interlocked so that only one can be used at a time. Mode Français uses the following hookdown pedals in the French Symphonic tradition: Pédales de Combinaison: Effet d'orage Grand Orgue sur la machine Tirasse Grand Orgue Copula Grand Orgue/Grand Orgue Tirasse Positif Copula Positif/Grand Orgue Tirasse Récit Copula Récit/Grand Orgue Anches Pédale Copula Récit/Positif Anches Grand Orgue Octaves graves Grand Orgue Anches Positif Tremolo Récit Anches Récit Tremolo Positif The combination action will not be able to control the functions on hookdown pedals, i.e., any of the Pédales de Combinaison when in Mode Français. American Mode relies on a solid state combination action for changes in registration. When in American Mode the positions of the Pédales de Combinaison will be ignored. American Mode has the following drawknobs arranged above the top keyboard and are affected by the General Pistons: Grand Orgue/Pedale Positif/Grand Orgue Positif/Pedale Récit/Grand Orgue Récit/Pedale Récit/Positif Récit Trémolo Octave graves Grand Orgue Positif Trémolo   American Mode includes a modern multi-level combination action accessed with thumb pistons and a forward and reversing sequencer with both thumb pistons and pedals. Balanced Swell Pedals: Expression Récit, Expression Positif Key Action: Direct mechanical (tracker), except for certain large bass pipes. Servopneumatic Lever: This provides a pneumatic assist (similar to a Barker Machine, but more refined) to the Grand Orgue key action. It also allows the addition of the "Octaves graves" coupler to the organ. This coupler connects the servopneumatic lever to itself one octave lower. Therefore it couples the Grand Orgue itself at sub-octaves, as well as any other division that is coupled to it. Stop Action: Electric solenoid. Keydesk: Built into the front of the lower case, three manuals and pedals; manuals 61 keys, CC-c3, naturals of bone, sharps of ebony; flat pedalboard, 32 keys, CC-g1, naturals of maple, sharps of ebony.