The Harrison & Harrison Organ in St Albans Cathedral
The Cathedral organ was built in 1962 to a design by Peter Hurford (then Master of the Music, and founder of the St Albans International Organ Festival) and Ralph Downes.
The design of the instrument was revolutionary, being the first cathedral instrument in Britain to be voiced and built on neo-classical lines. Therefore it is possible to achieve a good balance between stops in all schools of organ repertoire (particularly, for example, the Trio Sonatas of JS Bach), whilst being a flexible instrument for accompanying the traditional English cathedral repertoire.
In 2007–9 the organ was comprehensively refurbished by Harrison & Harrison of Durham (the original builders), with the addition of a fourth manual, new Great reeds and a 32’ pedal reed.
Technical specifications (PDF)
Read more about St Albans Cathedral
The Mander organ in St Peter’s Church
The organ at St Peter’s was designed and built by renowned London firm Mander Organs. From inception to installation, the project took nearly four years and was installed in 2006 – the third instrument in this historic church. The west and south doorways of St Peter’s date from the 13th century, and it is probable that people have worshipped on this site for over one thousand years.
The organ is a three-manual mechanical (tracker) action instrument with 39 stops.
Technical specifications (PDF)
Read more about St Peter’s Church
The Richard Bridge organ in Christ Church, Spitalfields
The Richard Bridge organ of Christ Church Spitalfields in east London is unique. Bridge (died 1758) was one of the leading craftsmen of his day, and his instrument was a musical and visual tour de force, recalling the striking tone colours of the baroque orchestra and complementing the architectural grandeur of Hawksmoor’s church which is now recognised as one of the high points of the English baroque.
It was fully restored in 2015, after being silent for over 50 years.
Temperament: fifth comma meantone
Technical specifications (PDF)
Read more about Christ Church, Spitalfields
Photographs of the console are found here:
The 2013 Orgelbau Kuhn organ at the Royal Academy of Music, London
See orgelbau.ch/en/organ-details/114480.html
Competition Organs – Disposition of Manuals (Top to Bottom)
Cathedral: Solo, Swell, Great, Choir
St Peter’s Church: Swell, Great, Choir
Christ Church, Spitalfields: Swell (short compass), Great, Choir
Royal Academy of Music: Swell, Positive–Solo, Great
There is a Sequencer at the Cathedral, and at the Royal Academy of Music.
There are General Pistons (No Sequencer) at St Peter’s.