Friday, I had the privilege of visiting New York City\u2019s first cathedral, the original St. Patrick\u2019s\u2014now known as the Basilica of St. Patrick\u2019s Old Cathedral<\/a><\/strong>. The cathedral is raising funds to restore its historic Henry Erben organ\u2014a true piece of American Catholic history which CBS News dubbed \u201cone of the most important historic instruments in the nation.\u201d<\/p>\n [img attachment=\u201d278510\u2033 align=\u201daligncenter\u201d size=\u201dfull\u201d \/]<\/p>\n I was delighted to receive a tour of the church by Anne Riccitelli and a mini-concert by the church\u2019s music director Jared Lamenzo.<\/p>\n [img attachment=\u201d278502\u2033 align=\u201daligncenter\u201d size=\u201dfull\u201d \/]<\/p>\n Martin Scorsese is leading the effort<\/a><\/strong> to restore the instrument\u2014he grew up in the neighborhood, was an altar boy at St. Patrick\u2019s, and credits the church and its priests with literally saving his life and keeping him out of trouble and off the streets. (Film buffs should know: the baptistry of the church is where Francis Ford Coppola filmed the famously violent baptism scene<\/a><\/strong> in \u201cThe Godfather.\u201d One of the parish\u2019s most prominent members\u2014and an EMHC these days\u2014is Jim Gaffigan<\/a>.<\/strong>)<\/p>\n As the literature for the Friends of the Erben Organ puts it:<\/p>\n The 1868 Erben organ is a living artisitic and technological masterpiece. It represents the finest extant work of New York City organ builder Henry Erben (1800-1884). Erben was the leading Aemrican pipe organ builder in the mid-19th century, and was never surpassed in quality and craftsmanship.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n In the words of Scorsese: \u201cWhy preserve this glorious instrument? Because it is unique and irreplaceable. Listening to the transcendent sound of this 19th century American masterpiece will take us where we need to be.\u201d<\/p>\n [img attachment=\u201d278503\u2033 align=\u201daligncenter\u201d size=\u201dfull\u201d \/]<\/p>\n Jared eagerly showed me the inner workings of this amazing instrument\u2014the ancient bellows and pipes that somehow create its rich sound.<\/p>\n [img attachment=\u201d278504\u2033 align=\u201daligncenter\u201d size=\u201dfull\u201d \/]<\/p>\n What is that sound? Listen for yourself. (Listen closely and you can hear his feet working the pedals, too.)<\/p>\n