THE WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL PIPE ORGAN: INSPIRED FORM, FLAWLESS FUNCTION
This unique and powerful instrument has a story almost as complex as that of its home.
The Quest for Something New
Architect Frank Gehry devoted a great deal of time to the design of Walt Disney Concert Hall's main auditorium and its signature pipe organ. He worked with Los Angeles organ designer and builder Manuel J. Rosales to create something different from a typical church organ.
Gehry’s initial designs included pipes hanging from the ceiling and the organist in a cage halfway up the wall. Rosales found the concepts fanciful and marvelous, but he knew there was no way they would lead to the construction of a practical musical instrument.
Eventually, Gehry presented a concept that looked like a cluster of flowers shooting out of the ground. Rosales loved it and agreed they could pursue the new design. What we see today is the dramatically splayed composition of beams that Gehry refers to as “French fries.” (And they are certainly supersized!)
A Closer Look at the Walt Disney Concert Hall Pipe Organ
These videos and photos provide a behind-the-scenes look at the design, construction, and inner workings of one of the world's most famous musical instruments.
Detail of the WDCH Organ Stops (2011) by Adam LanthamLA Phil
VIDEO: BUILDING THE WALT DISNEY CONCERT HALL ORGAN (2014)LA Phil
From Inside the Music with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen celebrating the 10th anniversary of the WDCH organ
Underneath the WDCH Organ (2011) by Adam LanthamLA Phil
Behind the WDCH Organ (2011) by Adam LanthamLA Phil
VIDEO: IN THE EYE OF HURRICANE MAMA (2014)LA Phil
From Inside the Music with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen celebrating the 10th anniversary of the WDCH organ
Detail Below the WDCH Organ Pipes (2011) by Adam LanthamLA Phil
Mash Note on WDCH Organ by Composer Terry Riley (2011) by Adam LanthamLA Phil
Mash Notes on WDCH Organ by Previous Organists (2011) by Adam LanthamLA Phil
Dedication Text and Mash Notes on WDCH Organ (2011) by Adam LanthamLA Phil
VIDEO: THE ARTIST AND THE MUSE (2014)LA Phil
From Inside the Music with Classical KUSC’s Brian Lauritzen celebrating the 10th anniversary of the WDCH organ
