Hear the oldest surviving masterpiece from Boston's legendary organ builder Thomas Appleton
In short: Experience a rare performance on the 1830 Appleton organ, a centerpiece of The Met's musical instrument collection. This video showcases the craftsmanship of Thomas Appleton through a curated selection of classical works, highlighting the historical significance and sonic beauty of this meticulously preserved instrument.
Built in 1830, the Appleton organ stands as the finest and oldest remaining example of work by Thomas Appleton (1785-1872), a celebrated Boston craftsman. The instrument is a complex construction of mahogany and rosewood veneers, pine, gilt, ivory, ebony, maple, walnut, and chestnut, measuring over 16 feet in height. It was acquired by The Met in 1982 through the Margaret M. Hess Gift.
In this performance, musician Paolo Bordignon demonstrates the organ's capabilities with pieces by Fanny Mendelssohn, Felix Mendelssohn, Herbert Howells, and Joseph Jongen. The collaboration between The Met's Department of Musical Instruments and the Organ Historical Society highlights the ongoing effort to preserve and share the sounds of historical instruments.
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Sources
- Summary by Intellect · source: Paolo Bordignon Plays The Met's Appleton Organ | Met Music
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