Our new workshop is host to a great variety of organs, both old and new.
The City Hall, a superb building of the early twentieth century,
occupies a
spectacular position on the waterfront facing the Old Town of
Stockholm. The immense Blue Hall is the scene of the Nobel Prize
banquet each year.
The organ was built by E.F. Walcker in 1925, with four manuals and 115
stops. The main organ is in a gallery near the ceiling, concealed
behind a screen. The Echo Organ of 25 stops is placed above the
ceiling, and is connected to the opposite side of the Hall by a long
acoustic tunnel.
The organ was extensively altered in 1972 by the Swedish organ builder
Magnus Fries, who commissioned slider soundboards, electro-pneumatic
actions and a few stops of pipes (including a Tuba and French Horn)
from Harrison & Harrison. A
considerable enlargement of the instrument, to five manuals and 138
stops, was accompanied by major changes to the layout and wind system.
The console, originally within the instrument, was replaced with a new
one on the floor of the Hall. However, almost all of the Walcker
pipework,
including that of the Echo Organ, survives.
The work of 2007-8 involves re-designing the instrument with a
completely new layout and wind system; the Harrison soundboards and
actions will be retained, and a new five-manual mobile, terraced
console will be
installed. The Walcker scheme of 1925 forms the basis of the renewed
musical structure, which will include some of the 1972 additions and
several new stops.
The work is due for completion in late 2008.
In 1878 a three-manual organ was built by T. C.
Lewis & Co., with a case by Sir George Gilbert Scott. It was
rebuilt by Harrison & Harrison between 1912 and 1926. Some changes
were made to the Pedal and Choir Organs in 1963, and to the Great Organ
in 1973; the Solo Orchestral Trumpet was added in 1988.
The main part of the organ stands on the
pulpitum; the console is on the south side. Smaller cases in the quire
contain the Choir Organ on the north side and pedal stops on the south.
A second, mobile console was added in 2000, for use in the nave.
The organ is to be overhauled in 2009.
Click here for Ripon specification
The organ was built by Henry Willis in 1876 for
Dowanhill
Parish Church. In 1954 Willis changed
the actions to electro-pneumatic and provided a new console; however,
the
structure and pipework were not changed.
After a period of neglect and vandalism, the organ was
removed to Harrisons’ workshop in 2006 with the intention of restoring
it to
its original state. This has entailed
the creation of new tracker actions and Barker machine, new mechanical
drawstop
and composition actions, and a new console, all strictly in the style
of Father
Willis and based on contemporary examples. All of the work has been
completed,
including extensive restoration of damaged pipework.
The church is being converted as The Cottier Theatre, and
the restored organ will be reinstated in the rear gallery when the
building is
ready, probably in 2010.
Click here for Cottier specification
ST MICHAEL AND ALL
ANGELS, NEWBURN, NEWCASTLE UPON TYNE
Organ by F C Nicholson of Newcastle. 2 manuals, 18 stops.
The organ has been restored following a fire in the church. The church
will be rededicated at Easter.
Click here for Newburn specification
The organ was built by Harrison & Harrison in 1962, with three
manuals and 57 speaking stops. This was the first cathedral organ to be
designed on the "neo-classical" principles established at the Royal
Festival Hall; the consultants were Ralph Downes and Peter Hurford.
Much of the pipework from
the Hill organ of 1861, and some Abbott & Smith material of 1908,
was retained and revoiced, together with the north and south organ
cases of the latter date,
designed by John Oldrid Scott.
The organ is being restored, with completion due in
the spring of 2009.
The tonal scheme and voicing style will remain unaltered, but there
will be some additions (marked * in the specification). A Nave Organ is
prepared for.
H&H 1954. 4 manuals 103 stops. In August 2005 the organ was
dismantled and stored in a separate warehouse in Durham. The
Hall has been completely reconstructed with improved acoustics; it
reopened in June 2007. The
organ is being reconfigured to suit the new architectural
and acoustic requirements: its depth has been reduced by 1.1m, but the
basic principles of the layout have been respected. The Swell Organ,
Great flue stops and Pedal Principal 32ft, forming the left-hand
portion of
the organ, have been reinstated, together with the console, and will be
followed by the central and right-hand sections at a later date.
CLIFTON COLLEGE CHAPEL, BRISTOL
MERCHANT TAYLORS' SCHOOL, NORTHWOOD
In 1872 Aristide Cavaillé-Coll built a two-manual organ in
the nave. In 1928, when the quire of the Abbey was restored, the organ
was rebuilt and enlarged by Hill, Norman & Beard and was installed
in a large chamber on the south side. There were four manuals and 65
stops; all of the Cavaillé-Coll pipework was retained, though
with some changes in its character. The new organ case was designed by
Sir Robert Lorimer.
In 1968 the organ was rebuilt by J. W. Walker with a completely new
tonal structure, planned by Ralph Downes in association with the Abbey
organist Dr George McPhee. Once again the Cavaillé-Coll pipework
was retained, the reeds regaining much of their original original
quality. Three of the manual departments are arranged vertically behind
the quire case, with the Swell at the top, then the Positive, and the
Great at the lower level; the Bombarde speaks westwards into the south
transept. The console is in the south choir stalls.
The organ is to be restored; a new wind system will be
provided, with traditional reservoirs replacing the present wind
regulators. The organ's musical character will be fully preserved, and
a 32ft reed will be added.
Click here for Paisley Abbey
specification
John Harris and John Byfield built a
three-manual organ in the church in 1726. It stood in a west gallery,
and was one of the largest English organs of its day. It was rebuilt in
1829 by
John Smith of Bristol, and completely altered by W.G. Vowles in 1867,
when
it was installed on each side of the chancel.
The organ was built by Harrison & Harrison in 1938,
incorporating some material from the old instrument. It occupies a
chamber on the south side of the chancel.
In 1969 a Positive division was added at the head of the nave, and
alterations were made to the Swell and Pedal Organs.
The organ is to be overhauled in 2008, and the Positive will be
re-designed as a Nave division.
Click here for St John
specification
H&H organ, 1966. 3 manuals 53 stops. Overhaul of organ, with new
electrical system. 2008.
Click here for Holy Trinity
specification