ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL

ROYAL FESTIVAL HALL

The organ was built during 1950–1953 to the specification of the London County Council's consultant, Ralph Downes, who also supervised the tonal finishing both in 1952–1954 and after cleaning and overhaul in 1964 and 1979 when small tonal modifications were made.

It was designed as a well-balanced classical instrument embracing a number of rich and varied ensembles which alone or in combination could equal the dynamic scale of any orchestra or choral grouping in addition to coping with the entire solo repertoire.

During the planning period, in addition to conducting discussions and trials with the builders' technical staff, Mr Downes visited a number of concert halls, and also obtained advice and help from the following leading musicians and organ experts: Felix Aprahamian, Lady Susi Jeans, Sir Anthony Lewis, George Miles, Herbert Murrill, Dr. George Thalben-Ball, Prof. C. H. Trevor, Sir Jack Westrup (England); G. Donald Harrison, Walter Holtkamp, Robert Noehren (USA); Dirk Flentrop, Dr M. A. Vente (Holland); Fritz Abend (Germany); André Marchal, L. Eugène Rochesson (France).

The reeds (except Nos. 18 and 101) were designed and voiced at Mr Downes's request by M. Rochesson. The great majority of the metal pipes are made in "spotted" metal (50% tin) down to 16ft C: only the 24 pipes of the 32ft octave extensions are made of zinc. The "frontispiece" of simulated organ pipes and associated woodwork was designed by Sir Leslie Martin (for the Council).

In 2000 the console was renovated and new coupler and piston systems were installed.

SPECIFICATION

      PEDAL ORGAN       GREAT ORGAN  
      1 Principal (from 54) 32       54 Principal   16  
      2 Major Bass   16       55 Gedacktpommer   16  
      3 Principal   16       56 Diapason   8  
      4 Sub Bass   16       57 Principal   8  
      5 Quintadena (from 74) 16       58 Harmonic Flute   8  
      6 Salicional (from 40) 16       59 Rohr Gedackt   8  
      7 Quintflute (stopped) 10 2/3       60 Quintflute (stopped) 5 1/3  
      8 Octave   8       61 Octave   4  
      9 Gedackt   8       62 Gemshorn (conical) 4  
      10 Quintadena (from 74) 8       63 Quintadena   4  
      11 Nazard (conical) 5 2/3       64 Quint   2 2/3  
      12 Superoctave   4       65 Super Octave   2  
      13 Spitzflute (conical) 4       66 Blockflute   2  
      14 Open Flute   2       67 Tierce   1 3/5  
      15 Septerz 17.21 3 1/5       68 Mixture 15.19.22.26.29 2  
      16 Rauschquint 12.15 5 1/3       69 Sharp Mixture 26.29.33.36  2/3  
      17 Mixture 19.22.26.29.33 2 2/3       70 Cornet 1.8.12.15.17 (middle c) 8  
      18 Bombarde (from 19) 32       71 Bombarde   16  
      19 Bombarde   16       72 Trumpet   8  
      20 Dulzian (from 38) 16       73 Clarion   4  
      21 Trumpet   8         XI Sub Octave      
      22 Cromorne (from 52) 8         XII Reeds and Cornet on Solo    
      23 Clarion   4         XIII Positive and Choir to Great    
      24 Schalmei (from 53) 4         XIV Swell to Great      
      25 Cornett   2         XV Solo to Great      
        I Positive to Pedal                  
        II Great to Pedal                    
        III Swell to Pedal              
        IV Solo to Pedal                    
                             
      POSITIVE ORGAN       SWELL ORGAN  
      26 Principal   8       74 Quintadena   16  
      27 Gedackt   8       75 Diapason   8  
      28 Quintadena   8       76 Gemshorn (conical) 8  
      29 Octave   4       77 Quintadena   8  
      30 Rohrflute   4       78 Viola   8  
      31 Rohrnazard   2 2/3       79 Celeste   8  
      32 Spitzflute (conical) 2       80 Principal   4  
      33 Tierce   1 3/5       81 Koppelflute   4  
      34 Larigot   1 1/3       82 Nazard (conical) 2 2/3  
      35 Mixture 15.19.22.26.29 2       83 Octave   2  
      36 Sharp Mixture 22.26.29.33.36 1       84 Open Flute   2  
      37 Carillon 29.38  1/2       85 Tierce (tenor F) 1 3/5  
      38 Dulzian (in Choir box) 8       86 Flageolet   1  
      39 Trumpet (in Choir box) 8       87 Mixture 22.26.29.33 1  
        V Tremulant           88 Cymbel 38.40.43  1/5  
        VI Positive on Great         89 Hautboy   8  
        VII Swell to Positive         90 Vox Humana   8  
        VIII Solo to Positive           XVI Tremulant      
                    91 Bombarde   16  
                    92 Trumpet   8  
              93 Clarion   4  
                XVII Octave (16ft, 8ft and 4ft stops only)
                      XVIII Solo to Swell      
                             
      CHOIR ORGAN       SOLO ORGAN  
      (On Positive keys) (Enclosed)       (Enclosed)  
      40 Salicional   16       94 Diapason   8  
      41 Open Wood   8       95 Rohrflute   8  
      42 Stopped Wood   8       96 Octave   4  
      43 Salicional (conical) 8       97 Waldflute (conical) 2  
      44 Unda Maris (conical) 8       98 Rauschquint 12.15 2 2/3  
      45 Spitzoctave (conical) 4       99 Tertian 17.19 1 3/5  
      46 Open Flute   4       100 Mixture 19.22.22.26.29.33 1 1/3  
      47 Principal   2       101 Basset Horn   16  
      48 Quint   1 1/3         XIX Tremulant      
      49 Octave   1       102 Harmonic Trumpet   8  
      50 Sesquialtera 26.31  2/3       103 Harmonic Clarion   4  
      51 Mixture 29.33.36.40  1/2                
      52 Cromorne   8       COMBINATION COUPLERS
      53 Schalmei   4       (rocking tablets)
        IX Tremulant             XX Great and Pedal Combinations coupled
        X Choir on Solo             XXI Swell on General Foot Pistons
                             
  ACCESSORIES
Eight foot pistons to the Pedal Organ   Sequencer, operating general pistons
Eight pistons to the Choir and Positive Organs (combined)   General crescendo, with indicator
Eight pistons to the Great Organ (duplicated by foot pistons)   Balanced expression pedals to Choir, Swell and Solo Organs
Eight pistons to the Swell Organ  
Eight pistons to the Solo Organ   The pistons are instantly adjustable, with 8 divisional memories and 128 general memories
Eight general pistons and general cancel   The general crescendo pedal has one fixed and three adjustable settings
Reversible pistons:I-IV, VII, VIII, XIII, XIV, XV, XVIII  
Reversible foot pistons:I-IV   The actions are electro-pneumatic
Full organ piston and foot piston, with indicator   The manual compass is 61 notes; the pedal compass is 32 notes

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For further information, email Mark Venning:h.h@btinternet.com