Raw Cocoa and the Esoteric Organist

     No matter what you believe, there is no question that the Pipe Organ is a political instrument. There is a lot to unpack as one reads deep into the history of this instrument and I intend to talk of that tomorrow. Today however, I address the concerns of the few of my dear readers who reached out to talk to me regarding chocolate. Some felt, that if my analogy had used coffee, then it would be more inclusive. I agree. Espresso is to coffee what raw cocoa is to chocolate. You must also excuse my use of the word 'raw'. In the same way that an inferior shot of espresso has chicory, any other term would simply not be as clear in conveying the absence of additives in raw cocoa. Espresso is very much an acquired taste. Even more so than dark chocolate.

     Now then! What is this raw cocoa? This unsavory side of the organ? I disagree. There are many kinds of music that constitute the raw cocoa of organ playing and there is definitely an audience for this esoteric branch of pipe organ literature. An example of recent relevance is the organ music played during the Reopening of Notre-Dame de Paris on the seventh of December 2024. Of the many people who had an opinion about the organ playing during this historic occasion, Titus Grenyer's was the most succinct. The music was esoteric. The occasion was of the highest significance. The part where the newly restored organ was consecrated was a rare moment where the Pipe Organ was the center of attention on the world stage. 

    What was played was an improvisation in the French style, made up completely on the spot. I urge you to listen and form an opinion on this if you have not yet done so. This is an accepted style of organ playing that is part of the culture of French organ repertoire. It takes extensive study to understand the music and a lifetime to master it. The technical requirements to play like this live are herculean. Yet, I am sure not all will like how it sounds. Some might think he is bashing the keys as a child would. Not so! There is a method to this apparent madness. The problem is that it is obscure and well, esoteric.

    I can add my own experience to this since I myself have been involved in a similar restoration project. During summer break of 2023, The Bishop Heber Chapel underwent restoration. Part of the process was a general cleaning of the organ, which I was more than happy to do. The organ is a complex instrument, and older ones can be quite temperamental, and the organ of the Bishop Heber Chapel is no exception. To ensure that the organ is unaffected by the renovation happening around it, a large tarpaulin was bought, and I had the unique task of gift-wrapping the pipe organ. This is not as easy as it looks. The decorated pipes that are part of the façade of the organ had to be carefully removed and put into safe and secure storage, and the resonators for the reed rank had to be covered up to prevent the entry of foreign substances. The final part needed more hands though. Over the course of a few hours and with the help of Mr. David Rhenius (Sacristan of BHC 2022-2023), the tarpaulin was gently pulled up from the front, up past the console, over the Great Division, then over the Swell-box and then down and past the pedal division.  You can see below what the organ looked like when the gift-wrapping was almost finished (Left) and a picture from when the tarpaulin was removed, and the maintenance lights inside the organ were turned on to begin cleaning (Right) 

 

    In truth, the most difficult part of this project was calming my nerves as the dedication service was conducted in the newly restored Chapel and my work would have to speak (or perhaps sing?) for itself. I need not have worried. The organ worked perfectly. God made sure that it did. The music in that service was not esoteric though, and when I think of the joy I felt as the organ played the postlude and the service drew to a close, I really cannot imagine French improvisation there. Maybe my imagination is in need of a renovation too!