LONDONDERRY AIR (Danny Boy) - Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate - Joe Carere (organ)

🎵 “Londonderry Air (Danny Boy)” — Organ at the Basilica | Casavant Op. 796 (1919) Hear the beloved Irish melody Londonderry Air, widely known through the song Danny Boy, performed in a new organ transcription by Joe Carere, Basilica Organist & Choirmaster. Recorded in the gallery of the Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate, this performance features the Basilica’s magnificent 1919 Casavant Frères pipe organ, Opus 796. The instrument’s lyrical solo stops, warm foundations, and expressive swell division provide a deeply singing voice for one of Ireland’s most cherished melodies. 📖 About the Melody The Londonderry Air is one of the most famous traditional Irish melodies, first collected in County Londonderry in the 19th century. Its haunting beauty has inspired countless arrangements for voice and instruments. In 1913, English songwriter Frederic Weatherly wrote the now-famous lyrics Danny Boy, which transformed the tune into one of the most widely recognized songs in the English-speaking world. The melody’s long arching phrases and emotional depth make it particularly well suited to the organ, where its singing lines can unfold with orchestral colour and expressive nuance. 🎹 About the Organ Built by Casavant Frères, the Basilica’s Opus 796 was installed in 1919 and remains one of Canada’s treasured historic instruments. Its symphonic tonal design allows it to imitate the colours of an orchestra — from gentle flute solos to full, cathedral-filling climaxes. *SPECIFICATION BELOW* 🕍 About the Basilica The Basilica of Our Lady Immaculate is one of Canada’s most striking Gothic Revival churches, known for its soaring towers, luminous stained glass, and vibrant musical tradition. Its generous acoustics make it an inspiring home for organ music and sacred repertoire alike. 🎥 Subscribe for more performances in this organ and hymn series from Music at the Basilica. 👍 If this Irish melody moved you, share your thoughts in the comments below. 🔔 Turn on notifications so you don’t miss future uploads. SPECIFICATION SWELL ​ 8 Vox Humana 8 Oboe 8 Cornopean 16 Contra Oboe III Dolce Cornet 2 Flautino 4 Gemshorn 4 Flauto Traverso 8 Aeoline 8 Voix Celeste 8 Viola da Gamba 8 Stopped Diapason 8 Open Diapason 16 Bourdon Tremulant ​ GREAT ​ 8 Tromba V Cornet III Mixture 2 Fifteenth 4 Harmonic Flute 4 Octave 8 Gemshorn 8 Hohlflute 8 Open Diapason I 8 Open Diapason II 16 Open Diapason Tremulant Chimes ​ CHOIR ​ 8 Tromba (GT) 8 French Horn 8 Clarinet 2 Piccolo 4 Flauto Dolce 8 Viole Celeste 8 Viole de Orchestra 8 Dulciana 8 Melodia 8 Violin Diapason Tremulant Chimes ​ PEDAL 32 Double Open 16 Open Diapason 16 Bourdon 16 Gedeckt 8 Cello 8 Stopped Diapason 8 Bass Flute 32 Contra Trombone 16 Trombone 8 Tromba (GT) Manual 61 notes Pedal 30 notes 250 levels of memory General Pistons 1-12 (duplicated on toe studs) Divisional Pistons 1-6 (Pedal duplicated on toe studs) Registration Sequencer toe studs LAST/NEXT Programable Crescendo ​ III/51 🙏 Thank you for joining us for this hymn of celebration and praise. If you enjoy these weekly hymn performances, please like, share, and subscribe as we continue preparing for the Basilica’s 200th Anniversary in 2027. #organmusic #LondonderryAir #DannyBoy #IrishMusic #CasavantOrgan #PipeOrgan #SacredMusic #MusicAtTheBasilica #OrganTranscription #churchmusic *BUSINESS INQUIRIES* [email protected]