Naturally resonant spaces are everywhere. And throughout history, they’ve sparked some of classical music’s most haunting and breathtaking creations.
This episode takes you deep into the sonic wonders of caves and other resonant spaces.
Your own body acts as a chamber — mouth, chest, even your skull — shaping the way sound travels. But natural caverns take it even further. Meet the Great Stalacpipe Organ in Virginia’s Luray Caverns, an enormous instrument that turns the cave itself into a concert hall.
We’ll also explore why sound booms in these spaces and how composers have drawn inspiration from such acoustics to create some of classical music’s most haunting works.
Bonus: Organist Anna Lapwood offers a peek inside one of London’s most magnificent pipe organs.
Music in this episode:
Ambrose of Milan: "Christe, qui lux es et dies"
