Local Organist And Piano Company Participate In WMOF Events
By Steve Tawa
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) -- A local organist will have a front row seat, by performing during the big outdoor Papal Mass on Sunday, as well as with Andrea Bocelli and the Philadelphia Orchestra for Saturday's Festival of Families on the Ben Franklin Parkway. And a local company's organ will make sure the outdoor events will sound like one inside a big cathedral.
The digital instrument, a Rodgers Infinity Model 361 is on loan from Cunningham Piano Company in Germantown.
"I'm a musician, and of course, I'm also a business owner, so this works with all of my passions together."
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Cunningham co-owner Rich Galassini says the 1,200 pound organ samples authentic pipe organ sounds, and will emulate them at the outdoor events.
"Of course, you can't take the pipes out of the basilica or out of Wanamaker's and put them on the parkway."
Sandor Kadar, who serves as principal organist at St. Andrew Church in Newtown, Bucks County, plays during weekend masses at the largest parish in the Archdiocese of Philadelphia, and accompanies several choirs.
"I play for all funerals and weddings."
And with a twinkle in his eyes:
"And in my spare time, I play for the pope."
He'll perform at two Papal masses, and six more masses during the week of the World Meeting of Families. His favorite piece is the thundering finale of the Saint-Saens Organ Symphony.
"It's going to be the postlude for the big papal mass."
