ORGAN BUILT IN 1881

Press, Volume CII, Issue 30192, 25 July 1963, Page 16

ORGAN BUILT IN 1881

Renewal In 1926

Details of the Christchurch Cathedral organ were sought by a correspondent, and the Cathedral organist, Mr C. Foster Browne, has given the following information. “The organ in the Cathedral is a rebuild by Hill, Norman and Beard in 1926 of the organ built by William Hill in 1881. Much of the original flue pipe-work has been retained, but all the reeds were new and there were other additions. “The action is electropneumatic and, although the specification is clearly that of a four-manual organ, the choir and solo organs are combined on the first manual. It is hoped that an additional console will be put into the nave some time, and this will be designed as a four-manual console.

“The ‘families' of stops are complete, except that some mutations need to be added, and the pedal organ should have some 4ft and 2ft additions to bring the instrument into line with more modem trends in tonal design. “Apart from some ‘cleanings,’ and re-leathering of the pneumatic motors, the organ has not had, nor has it needed, any major repairs. This is due to the great care taken of it by Mr J Strachan, whose devotion for the last 25 vears to this wonderful instrument. has been quite beyond praise,” Mr Browne said.