Since I reviewed the Sunday Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra concert rather than the Friday one last weekend, I wanted to make sure those of you expecting a critique on Saturday saw it on Monday. Especially since I am curious about your opinions on the pipe -- or lack of -- organ that the PSO used. I think it is a given the the PSO was in the wrong to not have named the organist, Larry Allen, in the program. But the other issue is more thorny. The PSO really can't place a permanent pipe organ on the Heinz Hall stage because it is multi-purpose -- used for musicals as well as concerts. The organ's ranks would just cramp the stage and prevent the booking of traveling shows. At least that is the way I have heard both the PSO and some local organists access the situation.

So, to get the range of sound needed to play the standard orchestra pieces, the PSO will likely have to buy a composite organ, one that has some real pipes for the core use, but utilizes digital sound for the rest (and to supplement the pipes). This may be repugnant to some, and I would definitely prefer a real pipe organ as would most purists, but if the PSO buys a high-end instrument (meaning superb quality speakers), it should be hard to tell the difference. The key, unlike last night when speakers were just stacked behind the singers, is the careful "tuning" of the speakers -- pointing them in different directions to re-create the reverberation of pipes.

The other option might be to buy an entirely digital organ for the big pieces and a portative/positive pipe organ -- a smaller, moveable instrument -- for chamber music and continuo. It all depends on the quality of the instruments.

Of course, with enough money, anything is possible, including getting a resplendent, full pipe organ into the hall (donations anyone?). But considering the general financial stress on arts organizations, I am not sure it is in the best interest of the PSO. But eventually -- actually soon -- it will need to make a decision, so we won't have to suffer through more visitors like the digital one we had over the weekend.