Sep. 26, 2021
"If I can't knock the plaster popcorns loose from the ceiling ...
if I can't hear the walls and windows creaking ...
if I can't rattle what's in the china breakfront ...
if I can't shatter the filament in the nearest light bulb ...
if I can't loosen the screws holding down the plywood subfloor in a neighboring room to where new squeaks are noticed when someone walks across its floor ...
if I can't jar loose the small mosaic tiles lining the walls of the center dome of the church so they fall to the floor,
IT ISN"T LOUD ENOUGH."
So speaks the voice inside the organist's head ... but, based on past experience, similar messages (photo) have been placed on other consoles for the organist to find, and, more commonly, verbal instructions have been issued to keep the organ from disturbing others or even damage portions of the interior of the building.
It's the 32-foot stops -- they'll do it every time.
And, it's one more proof that everything in organ playing -- including how we draw the stops -- is balance.