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Mershon Auditorium - 3/67 Schantz Main Page  Great Division Swell Division Choir Division Pedal Division Console Other Photos Stop List

Mershon Auditorium
Columbus, OH
3/67 Schantz
1957

Photos of the Swell Division

 Click on the photo to see a larger image

Swell
 Swell
The Swell Division is directly below the Choir Division and is the first thing you encounter when you enter the organ chambers. There are 21 ranks of pipes in the Swell, more ranks than are in some entire pipe organs! Several of the ranks are more commonly found in Romantic sounding instruments, though this instrument seems to walk the line between Romantic and Baroque in its sound.
Swell On the side furthest from the stage we have the ranks of pipes. On the far left is the Clarion, somewhat out of view is the Plein Jeu mixture, then the Flautino, Octave, Geigen Diapason (left of the wood pipes), Melodia (wood pipes), Oboe (right of the wood pipes) and Trompette. Note the subtle difference in pipe construction between the Oboe and Trumpet. Both are reed pipes with a flared top, the difference is that the oboe is narrow in the middle while the Trompette has a more gradual taper.
Swell Here's a better view of the ranks up front. From left to right are the Clarion, Plein Jeu (four rows of short pipes), Flautino, Octave and Geigen Diapason. The expression shutters are just out of view to the left.
Swell Right next to the entrance to the chamber is this offset chest of the Voix Celeste rank. These pipes produce a softer distinctive tone meant to somewhat mimic the sound of a set of orchestral strings.
Swell Against the back wall are the "basses" or bottom notes of several ranks of pipes. The wood pipes are of the Melodia rank, the pipes with the green felt are from the Rohrbourdon rank. Immediately behind the wood pipes are of the Geigen Diapason rank, then the skinny pipes behind the  pipes with green felt tops are of the Clarinet rank. On the far right are the Flute Celeste and Gambe Celeste ranks. 
Swell Resonators for the bottom two pipes of the Clarinet rank stick out of the pipes. The metal wire is used to tune the pipe. 
Swell Closer to the stage are these ranks. On the right is the Clarinet, Rohrbourdon (green felt tops), Gambe, Voix Celeste, Spitzflotete, Gambe Celeste and Salicional.
Swell Here's a better view of things up front. On the far left is the Vox Humana, Flute d'Amour (wood pipes), Flute Celeste, Salicional (darker tuning slides), Gambe Celeste and Spitzfloete. 
Choir Swell
In front are the funny looking pipes of the Vox Humana rank. Literally meaning "human voice" it is intended to mimic the human voice singing, though many would say it rarely accomplishes this feat. The Vox Humana on a theater organ often sounds more airy, while the classical version sounds thinner like a string rank. Pipe construction also varies. Compare the above photos to the Vox Humana rank on the Ohio Theatre's Robert Morton organ which can be found here.
Swell Bass pipes against the back wall are framed in this photo by some of the other pipes in the chamber. Differences in size and construction are clearly evident in this photo. Also note the vertical ladder on the right side which leads to the Choir Division above.
Swell Swell
Under the pipes are the two wind reservoirs for this division. In the photo on the right, the big pipe on the right is the air input from the blower. The pipe on the left leads to the other chest shown in the left photo. The pipes out lead to the offset chests for the basses. Note the difference in whiteness in the leather color between the two chests. The chest on the right is definitely in need of releathering.


Mershon Auditorium - 3/67 Schantz Main Page  Great Division Swell Division Choir Division Pedal Division Console Other Photos Stop List
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