the surrounding cathedral was part of the instrument
This is absolutely the case. I studied organ during my high school years. The instrument where I took my lessons was a large church and the instrument had an antiphonal section. The time that it takes for the pipe to begin speaking and for the sound to reach the console is enough to upset the ear-brain-hand connection.
To a certain extent this interaction is true with any acoustic instrument. I’m mostly a pianist now and I’d say that so many aspects of technique that are altered by the acoustic qualities of the venue - pedalling, legato, spacing.
Comments
This is absolutely the case. I studied organ during my high school years. The instrument where I took my lessons was a large church and the instrument had an antiphonal section. The time that it takes for the pipe to begin speaking and for the sound to reach the console is enough to upset the ear-brain-hand connection.
To a certain extent this interaction is true with any acoustic instrument. I’m mostly a pianist now and I’d say that so many aspects of technique that are altered by the acoustic qualities of the venue - pedalling, legato, spacing.