Organ History
The earliest record of an organ in the parish church is 1620, when there was an organ on the screen between the Chancel and the Nave. A new instrument, built in 1623, was destroyed by the Parliamentarian soldiers in 1643. In 1714 another organ was built on the same site, with a passage of only twelve feet beneath it, thus obstructing the view of the Chancel. The organ remained here until 1844, after which a new organ was installed at the west end of the Leigh Chapel. This instrument was started by Richard Jackson of Liverpool, and was finished by William Hill and Son of London. It was completely re-built by Hill in 1867, and sited under the Tower. In 1877 the organ was moved to the eastern end of the Leigh Chapel. The main case, designed by Paley, dates from this time. In 1886 it was moved once again, to the western bay of the Leigh Chapel.
In 1901, when Sir Edward Bairstow was Organist, the organ was completely rebuilt by Norman & Beard of Norwich. Parts of the former organ were retained, but most of it was new. Further work to the instrument was done in 1906, and 1948. This instrument remained in use until the latest re-building.
The work of reconstruction in 1963 was entrusted to the firm of William Hill and Son and Norman and Beard Ltd., also known as Hill, Norman & Beard, who at the time had a connection of over 100 years with the parish church. Most of the 1901 instrument was retained, after careful restoration and re-voicing. The old pneumatic action was replaced with electro-pneumatic action, and a new detached console was placed in the Crawford Chapel with access to the Chancel by means of a door through the Screen.
Apart from complete re-voicing and one new rank on each division, the Great and Swell organs remained much as they were. Only the Pedal Organ was significantly enlarged. Here, there were added ranks of 4ft and 2ft pitch, also a three rank mixture and 4ft solo reed, and the Trombone was extended to 8ft and 4ft pitch. It is interesting to note that prior to 1901 there was a 4ft stop and a three rank mixture on the Pedal Organ, both of which were discarded in 1901.
The old Choir Organ was replaced by an unenclosed Positif Organ of authentic antique scale. This, together with the part of the instrument that was new in 1963 was placed in the eastern bay of the Leigh Chapel, with the Pedal Gemshorn on display.
The specification was drawn up by Mr A. G. D. Cutter, the Organist at the time, in consultation with Mr R Mark Fairhead, of Hill, Norman & Beard Ltd., who was responsible for the tonal finishing of the organ.
The specification of the current instrument is below
In 1901, when Sir Edward Bairstow was Organist, the organ was completely rebuilt by Norman & Beard of Norwich. Parts of the former organ were retained, but most of it was new. Further work to the instrument was done in 1906, and 1948. This instrument remained in use until the latest re-building.
The work of reconstruction in 1963 was entrusted to the firm of William Hill and Son and Norman and Beard Ltd., also known as Hill, Norman & Beard, who at the time had a connection of over 100 years with the parish church. Most of the 1901 instrument was retained, after careful restoration and re-voicing. The old pneumatic action was replaced with electro-pneumatic action, and a new detached console was placed in the Crawford Chapel with access to the Chancel by means of a door through the Screen.
Apart from complete re-voicing and one new rank on each division, the Great and Swell organs remained much as they were. Only the Pedal Organ was significantly enlarged. Here, there were added ranks of 4ft and 2ft pitch, also a three rank mixture and 4ft solo reed, and the Trombone was extended to 8ft and 4ft pitch. It is interesting to note that prior to 1901 there was a 4ft stop and a three rank mixture on the Pedal Organ, both of which were discarded in 1901.
The old Choir Organ was replaced by an unenclosed Positif Organ of authentic antique scale. This, together with the part of the instrument that was new in 1963 was placed in the eastern bay of the Leigh Chapel, with the Pedal Gemshorn on display.
The specification was drawn up by Mr A. G. D. Cutter, the Organist at the time, in consultation with Mr R Mark Fairhead, of Hill, Norman & Beard Ltd., who was responsible for the tonal finishing of the organ.
The specification of the current instrument is below
wpc_current_spec.pdf | |
File Size: | 62 kb |
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