Celebrating the pipe organ, the King of Instruments

[Gordon Turk seated at the console of the Robert Hope-Jones pipe organ.]
Gordon Turk seated at the console of the Robert Hope-Jones pipe organ.

image © by James G. Howes, July 8, 2007

From the Ocean Grove

…from the centenary celebrations of the Robert Hope-Jones pipe organ in the world-famous auditorium of this picturesque New Jersey summer shore-side retreat.

Listen to the program

1 hr 58 min

59:00 min

Program Broadcast dates:

•November 3, 2008 as Show #0844

•July 5, 2010 as Show #1027

Links and Resources:

Printable program listings

Special Interview Feature:

…Auditorium Organist Gordon Turk tells of the beginnings of the Ocean Grove Camp Meeting Association.
…Gordon relates the history and some unique aspects of this historic space and its pipe organ.
…Gordon comments on the Ocean Grove organ’s earlier need for renovation.
…The Ocean Grove Organ grew and grew, but with a plan managed by Organ Curator John Shaw.
…An at-the-console demonstration by Gordon of some original Robert Hope-Jones ranks from 1908.
…Hear individual sounds from the new Antiphonal-Echo division, constructed by the firm of A.R. Schopp’s Sons of Alliance, OH, installed in the balcony 300 feet away from the main organ!

Music played in the program

Hour 1

LÉON BOËLLMANN: Suite Gothique*

LÉON BOËLLMANN: Fantasie-Dialogue for Organ and Orchestra, Opus 35 –Rittenhouse Orchestra, Jason Tramm, conductor; Gordon Turk, organ; recorded July 30, 2008

LOUIS VIERNE: Berceuse, from 24 Pieces en style libre*

JOHANNES MATTHIAS MICHEL: 2 Jazz Preludes: Swing Five/Erhalt uns, Herr; Afro-Cuban/In Dir ist Freude –Carol Williams; recorded July 23, 2008

Filler –J.S. BACH: Nun freut euch, lieben Christen from Ocean Grove CD**

Hour 2

LÉON BOËLLMANN: Ronde Francaise, Opus 37. GEORG BÖHM: Praeludium in C. MAX REGER: Introduction and Passacaglia in d. JOSEPH JONGEN: Toccata, Opus 104 –Gordon Turk**

ALEXANDRE GUILMANT: Symphony Number 1 in d for Organ and Orchestra, Opus 42. –Rittenhouse Orchestra, Jason Tramm, conductor; Gordon Turk, organ; recorded July 30, 2008

Filler –LÉON BOËLLMANN: Fantasie-Dialogue (see above)

Gordon Turk, Ocean Grove Auditorium Organist, talks with Michael Barone about the history of this historic 6700-seat hall and its lavish 176-rank instrument, and demonstrates the organ’s original Hope-Jones voices and the new Antiphonal Division. The concert recordings were made especially for this broadcast; CDs by Gordon Turk have been issued on the Dorian label, 90267* [nla] and by the Ocean Grove Associaton (**). The Ocean Grove Auditorium Organ is featured in regular midday and evening concerts throughout the summer months www.oceangrovenj.com.