The Influence of the Organ in History / Inaugural Lecture of the Department of the Organ in the College of Music of Boston University

The lecture traces the organ's development from simple Pan pipes through the addition of bellows, wind-chests, valves, and keyboards, noting the later appearance of pedalboards and expanding tonal resources. It argues that the instrument long held a dominant cultural role, shaping musical practice and institutions, before music and technological innovation began to reshape organ design and performance. Alongside historical narrative the text surveys schools of playing, constructional advances, and illustrative examples and engravings that document ancient hydraulics, regals, and evolving methods of organ-blowing.