After two decades, Macy's Center City is closing its doors on Sunday, March 23, and that means the future of the iconic Wanamaker Organ, and the grand court recitals enjoyed by Philadelphians for decades, is uncertain.
What is certain is that the Wanamaker Organ's swan song, for now, will be an all-day concert this Saturday, featuring Macy's Grand Court Organist Peter Richard Conte and a long list of other organists who will fill the space with music throughout the day.
Conte, who has served in his position since 1989, kicks off the festivities at 9 a.m. with "The Star-Spangled Banner," followed by organ soloists performing 30-minute concerts every hour until 5 p.m., including Aaron Patterson, Mark Bani, Jeremy Flood, Luke Staisiunas, Monte Maxwell, Rudy Lucente, and Dylan David Shaw. Then from 5 to 6:30 p.m., it's the Grand Gala Concert with Peter Richard Conte, accompanied by flugelhornist Andrew Ennis. All of these performances are free and open to the public.
WRTI's history with the Wanamaker Organ goes back to 2003, when Conte and former classical host Jill Pasternak began co-hosting The Wanamaker Organ Hour. (Jill retired in 2017, and Peter hosted solo until 2018.) Our own Operations Manager, Joe Patti (who is about to have his swan song at WRTI), was the longtime producer of the monthly show. He hand-picked the episode above for your listening pleasure.
Find out more about the Wanamaker Organ and Saturday's festivities here.