It’s a busy Wednesday morning on Copley Square, where preparations for Boston’s 40th First Night celebration are in full gear. Sidewalks are being cleared of ice, trucks are being unloaded, a stage is going up. In stark contrast to the bustle outside, just steps away, is the tranquility of a near-empty Old South Church—but then the organ starts playing.
"It's one of the great organs in the world," said Harry Huff, minister of music at the Old South Church. "It was in a civic auditorium in St. Paul, Minn., that was about to meet the wrecking ball in the early 1980s."
The organ had been built in 1921 by Boston’s own Earnest Skinner, who Huff calls the Rolls Royce of organ builders.
"Some people here had the foresight to save the organ, bought it for one dollar," he said. "It cost $2 million to move and install."
Ever since, the instrument has not just been the envy of organists around the world, but also the centerpiece of an annual First Night concert. And since tonight is the last night of 2015, it's once again time for the city of Boston's annual First Night celebration. And while much of the action this year will take place outside—on Copley Square—there still promises to be a little magic indoors, if you know where to look. For example, you have two chances to see the brass and organ ensemble’s “Pipes and Pops” concert at the Old South Church tonight—at 6 p.m. and again at 8:30 p.m.
"The vibe is great,everybody’s so excited, yeah, it’s wonderful," said percussionist Neil Grover. "It’s my favorite gig of the year."
Grover is a veteran among veteran players. While all of the musicians in the ensemble have played multiple First Night concerts here, Grover has them all beat. This year will be his 30th.
"It’s an incredible environment to play in, the acoustics are just unbelievable and the organ’s great," he said.
And what’s the crowd like in here on a typical First Night?
"Packed houses," Grover said.
Huff says the program this year, as usual, will be a mix of classical and popular, old favorites and new additions.
"Well, it's kind of hard to top our very opening which is the 'Also Sprach Zarathustra,'” he said. "We always try to have one new arrangement a year, and this year it is 'Saber Dance' to feature Neil on the Xylophone."
The program at the Old South Church is just one of more than a dozen First Night concerts. And then there’s the parade; puppet, dance and comedy shows; fireworks over the harbor, and – of course - ice sculptures galore on Copley square. All of it free of charge this year. And so I asked conductor Larry Isaacson, with all those options, why choose this one?
"Well I can only tell you that every year when people are leaving here they’re so happy, they’re smiling and going out onto the street ready to celebrate more for New Year’s Eve," said Isaacson. "The 45 minute experience that they have in here is one that they’re not gonna beat."
You have two chances to see the brass and organ ensemble’s “Pipes and Pops” concert at the Old South Church on December 31. 6pm and again at 8:30pm. For a full schedule of First Night events, click here.
