The Organ Explained: An Introduction to a Living Instrument
- Kayla Collingwood
- 17 minutes ago
- 5 min read
The organ is an instrument like no other. Architecture, craftsmanship, and musical skill converge to create a sonic world capable of expressing everything from intricate, intimate moments to grand, unforgettable ones. Its unique timbre (the distinctive quality of its sound) is often linked with spirituality and the supernatural; in the right acoustic, it can feel almost otherworldly. There is a particular kind of magic in standing inside a space filled with organ sound; at times it seems as though the building itself is coming to life.
This article comes from several organ-related moments that converged in 2025. I had the pleasure of speaking with organist and author Rich Spotts, whose work with Charles Tournemire's L'orgue mystique offers a thoughtful doorway into this extraordinary instrument. At the same time, two Bach organ works were newly authenticated, composed when he was a teenager. And at the time of writing, it happens to be the holiday season, a time when the organ often plays a central role in traditional musical offerings.
About Me
Who am I? Hi! I'm Kayla Collingwood, founder of Sound Garden and a passionate classical singer, educator, and creator. I've performed internationally in all sorts of contexts, and I've seen firsthand how magical the classical music experience can be – for newcomers and returners alike.
Why trust me? Because I've spent over a decade helping people of all ages discover the joy of music, whether through singing lessons, workshops, or creative projects. I've taught five-year-olds and seventy-five-year-olds, and I've witnessed countless "aha" moments when someone realises classical music isn't as exclusive as they thought. My mission is simple: to show you that music is for everyone, at any age or level of experience. Including you.
Take a look around the rest of the site when you're done here – I'm so glad you found your way to Sound Garden!
A Brief History of the Organ
The organ's history stretches back more than two millennia. Its earliest ancestor, the Greek hydraulis, was powered by water and amazed ancient audiences with a sound unlike anything they had heard before.
Over the centuries the instrument became central to church and court music, particularly during the mediaeval and Renaissance periods. As musical needs expanded, so did the organ itself; builders experimented with new pipe designs and mechanical innovations, resulting in greater expressive range and tonal variety.
By the Baroque era (roughly 1600 to 1750), the organ stood at the heart of European musical life. Composers such as Johann Sebastian Bach explored its full potential, creating music defined by architectural clarity and contrapuntal mastery. Counterpoint is the art of weaving multiple independent musical lines together simultaneously, creating a rich tapestry of sound where each voice maintains its own identity whilst contributing to the whole. The organ was no longer simply a liturgical tool (an instrument used in church worship); it had become an artistic force in its own right.
The 19th and 20th centuries brought further evolution as composers pushed harmonic boundaries and organs grew even more complex. Romantic and modernist traditions shaped instruments capable of subtle colour (the various tonal qualities and textures the organ can produce) as well as monumental sound. No two organs are identical; each instrument reflects the space it inhabits, the hands that built it, and the musical culture that shaped it.
About the Organ: How It Works
At first glance, an organ can feel overwhelming. Multiple keyboards (called manuals), rows of stops, a wide pedalboard, and hundreds or even thousands of pipes stretch out across the space. Yet the principle behind the instrument is simple: air is channelled through pipes of varying lengths and shapes, producing specific tones. The organist controls this flow through the manuals and pedals; the stops (knobs or tablets that the organist pulls or pushes) determine which sets of pipes are active and how they combine. With this system, the organ becomes like an entire orchestra, with the organist able to summon anything from a single flute-like voice to a massive wall of sound.
Listen here to Rich Spotts explaining this unique instrument:
Organ Fun Fact: The largest cathedral organs can have over 7,000 pipes.
Spotlight on Organ Works
Here are five works that offer a glimpse into the world of the organ:
Charles Tournemire - L’orgue mystique
Tournemire's monumental cycle (works designed to be performed as a set), L'orgue mystique (The Mystical Organ), is a universe of its own. Rooted in the liturgical year, these works reveal a musical language that is contemplative, colourful, and deeply spiritual. Rich Spotts has spent years performing, studying, and interpreting the cycle; his insights reveal the structure, the symbolism, and the unique qualities which make this work so compelling. His book and 2026 recorded recital series are an invaluable resource for anyone interested in French organ tradition.
Maurice Duruflé – Requiem
Rich points to Duruflé's Requiem as an essential companion to Tournemire's work. A requiem is a musical setting of the Mass for the dead, a Catholic funeral service. Duruflé's output is small, only fourteen opus numbers (an opus number is simply how composers number their published works), yet every piece is meticulously shaped. His language grows out of Gregorian chant (ancient, unaccompanied sacred songs of the Catholic Church), filtered through Tournemire's influence but softened into something original. The organ is integral to the Requiem; it colours the harmony, supports the vocal lines, and creates that unmistakable sense of serenity. Duruflé described the work as expressing calm, faith, and hope.
Olivier Messiaen – Ascension
This was another recommendation from Rich Spotts. The harmonic language (the way chords and musical colours are used) may not be the easiest to approach for new listeners, but it showcases the possibilities of the organ. Messiaen's early works offer another dimension of French sacred music. Before the Second World War he was already exploring complex harmonic colours and rhythmic ideas influenced by nature, mysticism, and his Catholic faith. Ascension reveals this developing voice; the organ is treated not just as a liturgical instrument but as a medium for artistic expression.
J. S. Bach – Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Bach remains the foundation for understanding the organ's possibilities. His music is architectural in its logic yet expressive in its detail; it teaches us how lines interact, how harmony unfolds, and how structure can become art. The Toccata and Fugue in D minor is one of the most well-known works for organ, largely due to its use in popular media. A toccata is a virtuosic piece designed to showcase the performer's touch and technique, whilst a fugue is a compositional form where a main theme is introduced and then imitated and developed by multiple voices entering one after another. Its dramatic opening has appeared in everything from Disney's Fantasia to countless horror films, where it has become shorthand for the ominous and the supernatural. Yet whilst it may be familiar, it loses none of its power in repeated listening.
Louis Vierne – Symphonie No. 3
For those ready to explore further, Vierne's third symphony offers a perfect next step. When we talk about organ symphonies, we don't mean works for a full orchestra; rather, these are large-scale, multi-movement works that treat the organ itself as a complete symphonic instrument. His music bridges the late Romantic tradition with 20th-century sensibility, full of drama, lyricism (song-like, flowing melody), and sophisticated orchestral colour drawn from the organ's vast resources.
Start Listening
The organ is a living instrument of immense power and subtlety, bridging centuries of musical tradition.
In our conversation, Rich emphasised that approaching organ music requires deep listening:
Listen for architecture and space, not just notes.
Notice the interplay; it's like a conversation between voices.
Appreciate the live performance element; a human being is playing this work!
Check out Rich Spotts' work to discover why the organ continues to captivate audiences worldwide.