An Echo Organ (or division) is a small set of organ pipes, typically
three to five ranks, which is located at some distance from the main
organ. Its function is to imitate a distant echo, as from a far away
location. It is used alone. On my 33-rank Aeolian the three ranks on
the Echo chest are: Vox Humana, soft strings, and soft flute.
The sort of effect that can be produced is, for example, on the roll
"The Death of Mimi" from "La Boheme." After a sort of reverie, where
we hear resumes of tunes that have portrayed characters and events of
her life, the chimes sound -- we assume she has died -- and the last
few chords are played on the Echo Organ, as if from heaven. It is very
moving.
Paul Morris
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