How does a Pipe Organ actually work? - An explanation by Anna Lapwood

[Sam Wacker]

There was some discussion on this forum about the definition of a professional musician. I don't want to re-open that debate just to draw your attention to a classical musician who has become a Tik-Tok 'sensation'.

Anna Lapwood 29,  was appointed in May this year as the first ever official organist of the Royal Albert Hall (RAH) in London.  There can be no doubt about her music 'credentials'.

She is one of the youngest people to have been Director of Music at Pembroke College, Cambridge. She studied piano, violin, viola and composition and was also Principal Harpist of the National Youth Orchestra. She can play 15 instruments. [Key biographical points paraphrased from Wikipedia].

Anna is remarkably popular on social media, which fills me with hope for the future as social media gets such a bad rap. In this YouTube video,  approaching 1¼ million views, she charismatically  "presents a beginner's guide to the organ, from stops, pedals and manuals to pipes and wind chests."

The pipe organ or church organ as it was called was probably the world's first 'synth'.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but on a pipe organ "Generals" are the same as "Registrations" on a Yamaha.

Classic FM is a radio station in the UK that was started as a commercial competitor to the BBC's Radio 3. I always felt that the stuffy presenters on Radio 3 expected us all to be solemn when listening and be wearing dinner jackets. Classic FM is my favourite for long car journeys. If I play rock on the car radio I usually break the speed limit!

Anna Lapwood explores the inside of the Royal Albert Hall organ

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zq0s17bzdLI


Anna Lapwood at the RAH, 15th May 2025

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rc_-PKeyuoc

Here she plays excerpts from Hans Zimmer's Da Vinci Code and Interstellar Suite with orchestra and chorus