The restored and expanded
Whitelegg-Möller organ, Op. 6425

Enjoy a YouTube playlist filled with selections played on our new organ.

The design and execution of this organ project for the Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral was undertaken by Emery Brothers, Adam Dieffenbach, President, for the restoration and augmentation of M. P. Mo¨ller opus 6425. Built in 1936, with 3 manuals, 33 ranks, this fine organ is at the heart of this project. It was built for and previously installed in Schwab Auditorium, Penn State University, State College, PA.

The organ restoration project began in the spring of 2018 with the award of a major grant from the Wyncote Foundation to the Cathedral as recommended by Frederick Haas and Rafael Gomez. Inspired by this gift, further support came from members of the Cathedral community, and now this organ has been restored and enlarged. The Cathedral now has an organ that will support a vibrant and growing music program, including choral work, organ recitals, liturgical and congregational accompaniment.

The tonal design of the original Mo¨ller Op. 6425 was by Richard Whitelegg, Tonal Director for the Mo¨ller company in the mid 1930’s. Whitelegg’s approach showcases English influences and brighter choruses of reeds and Diapasons than those more typical of the early 20th century. Augmentations made to this fine instrument as part of the current project are from select pipework from the Mo¨ller factory while Whitelegg was tonal director, thus maintaining the pedigree. Seven ranks of pipes are retained from our own Cathedral’s previous 1903 Austin organ complement Whitelegg’s tonal palette, preserving sounds linking us to our musical past.

The newly augmented organ now comprises 3,277 pipes in 7 divisions with 4 manuals and 55 ranks of pipes, including 3 Nave divisions at the west end of the Cathedral, providing luxurious support from the 4 corners of the Cathedral Nave. With the exception of the bottom octaves of the 32’ Bourdon (south Chancel chamber) and both the 16’ Open Diapason and 16’ Gedeckt pipes in the balcony surrounding the Rose Window, the entire organ is enclosed in four chambers, giving impressive control of the organ’s wide dynamic range.

The Philadelphia Episcopal Cathedral and Emery Brothers wish to acknowledge assistance from: The Reuter Organ Company, Lawrence Kansas; Opus-Two Instrument Control Systems; Paul Reese of PR3 Contracting, Lancaster, PA for extensive carpentry; and Nelson Brown, electrician, Philadelphia. We also acknowledge with gratitude Cathedral staff members: Wesley Parrott, Organist; Thomas Lloyd, Canon for Music and the Arts; Lamont Murray, Manager of Cathedral Properties; Lynn Buggage, Canon for Administration; The Very Rev. Judith A. Sullivan, Dean; and The Right Rev. Daniel G. P. Gutie´rrez, the 16th Bishop of Pennsylvania for their unfailing help and cooperation through this project.

 ~Wesley Parrott, Cathedral Organist, October 2021

Cathedral Pipe Organ Specifications

Whitelegg-Möller Opus 6425 (1936)
with additions by Emery Brothers, Allentown, PA (October, 2021)