The King of Instruments, Heavenly Sounds Created by 5,000 Pipes

Lotte Concert Hall Pipe Organ Briefing
5,000 Pipes, 68 Stops... 2 Years from Development to Installation
Will Reach Audience Through Programs Like 'Organ Odyssey' and 'Organ Series'

Lotte Concert Hall pipe organ and portable console. Photo by Lotte Concert Hall

[Asia Economy Reporter Kim Heeyoon] “Organs are not said to be made, but built. Because they are designed to fit the location, no two organs in the world are the same. For this reason, organ makers are called builders, not makers.”

This is the explanation of An Jaheon, an organ builder and tuning specialist. It is said that the first organ was a form where water, not air, flowed. In 265 BC, Ctesibius of Alexandria, Egypt, invented the hydraulis, a wind instrument played with fingers using a triangular plate, by creating a blower that sent a constant pressure using the power of water, which is the origin of the organ. Replacing water with air, the pipe organ established itself as a church instrument in the 9th century, developed into a large instrument in the 15th century, and reached its heyday in the Baroque era of the 17th century. French composer Hector Berlioz called the organ “the pope of instruments.”

Riggers technician Jurgen Hantsstanger is adjusting the pipe organ. Photo by Lotte Concert Hall

On the 27th of last month, Lotte Concert Hall revealed the interior of the pipe organ inside the venue. While the magnificent silver pipes captivated the audience’s attention, behind them, over 5,000 pipes made of aluminum and wood densely fill the space. This organ, made by the renowned Austrian company Rieger, took a full three years to complete, including design and pipe engineering. A total of 3.3 billion KRW was invested, including the console that allows the organ to be played on stage.

J?rgen Hantsstanger, a technician with 32 years of experience from Rieger who visited Korea for the organ inspection, explained, “The pipe organ is excellent as a solo instrument but also blends well with an orchestra,” adding, “It is also the only instrument that can rival an orchestra.”

An organist playing the pedalboard of a pipe organ. Photo by Lotte Concert Hall

Organist Park Junho, who demonstrated playing the organ, said, “An organ can be truly called an organ when the three elements?keyboard, blower that produces air, and pipes that produce sound?are all in place,” adding, “The pipe organ is an instrument structured so that each part works organically to create sound.”

The pipe organ installed at Lotte Concert Hall consists of four manuals (keyboards), a pedalboard, and 68 stop controls installed on the left and right. The keyboards are composed of Hauptwerk at the bottom, followed by Positiv, R?cit, and Solo above. As the names suggest, each has German and French characteristics, and the stops connected to each keyboard must be opened to produce sound.

When multiple stops are opened simultaneously and played, a grand and diverse tonal color emerges. The 68 stops feature various sounds such as flute, trumpet, and oboe, allowing the performer to select the desired tone color.

Pipe organ front console. Photo by Lotte Concert Hall

Lotte Concert Hall operates the ‘Organ Odyssey’ program, which allows audiences to get closer to the pipe organ through explanations and performances. On July 20, organist Choi Gyumi will lead ‘Organ Palette,’ and on December 21, pianist and organist Jo Jaehyuk will appear in ‘Voice of Christmas.’

Additionally, the ‘Organ Series’ recital will be presented again after three years. On the 10th, British organist David Titterington will perform, followed by Michel Bouvard, a representative of French organ music, holding a solo recital on November 30.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.