7. Central Synagogue Has an Impressive Organ
Another unusual element of the synagogue is the inclusion of an organ, the third to sit in this location. “The organ is very much a part of the reform movement,” says Goldberger. This particular organ was installed in the restoration following the fire. It was a gift from congregants in honor of their father, Gabe M. Wiener and was made by the firm Casavant Frères of St. Hyacinthe, Canada. It’s actually two separate instruments put together. In total, there are 4,345 pipes, 55 stops, and 74 ranks. As the synagogue describes, one is the “Bimah Organ (Casavant Opus 3812) located alongside the bimah and used primarily during services to accompany the cantor, choir, and congregation; and a larger Gallery Organ (Casavant Opus 3813) located in the elevated rear choir loft and used both for services and concerts.”
The organ also has two special stops that were custom made for Central Synagogue, a “Trompette Shofar,” that mimics the sound of a traditional shofar and is used for services on Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur. Another is the “Klezmer Clarinette,” that that sounds like that instrument, believed to be the first of its kind in an organ. The sound of the organ is delivered through a custom-designed sound system.
