Instruments to be used for the 2008 festival

The “Father” Willis organ at St Dominic's Priory, London NW5

Henry Willis began work on the organ for St. Dominic’s Priory in 1869 and completed it in time for the opening of the church in 1883. Today, it is among the finest examples of his work to have remained unaltered to the present day, making it one of the most historically important instruments in the country. The tonal variety and impressive impact in the building is a hallmark of the finest craftsmanship – Willis himself thought this organ to be one of his best. The pitch is almost a semitone sharp, and the 35 speaking stops are spread over 3 manuals and pedals; incorporating mechanical (Swell and Choir), Barker-lever (Great) and pneumatic (Pedal) actions. A thorough cleaning and restoration was carried-out in 1960 and again in 1993 by Mander’s. A monthly recital series is now a regular part of musical activities at the church, attracting performers and enthusiasts from around the world to enjoy this unique experience.

Specification

  Sw to Gt; Ch to Gt; Sw Super 8va to Gt; Sw Sub 8va to Gt; Sw to Ped; Gt to Ped; Ch to Ped

  Manuals CC to G, 56 notes. “Willis” Pedal Board CCC to F, 30 notes. Balanced Swell Pedal

The newly-restored 1963 JW Walker & Sons organ at St John the Evangelist, Duncan Terrace, Islington, London N1

The Walker organ in St John the Evangelist was built in 1963 incorporating some older pipework from a previous instrument by Bishop, Starr and Richardson, which once stood to the right of the alter. Walker's conceived their instrument in what they saw as the North European style, having a gallery position with a Ruckpositive that hangs from the front of the gallery. This Ruckpositive was a unique division for the country at the time. The Pedal department also has Walker's first ever voiced Schalmei stop. Tonally, the organ can play music from many periods, partly due to its combination of classical or open-foot-voiced flue work, and French voiced reeds. This style was the most up-to-date and fashionable for the 1960's. The voicing of the organ was undertaken by Dennis Thurlow and Michael Broom, with the reeds voiced by Michael Butler and tonal finishing by Arthur Jones.

The Walker sound today is tonally preserved, while thanks to generous donations in 1992 a Celeste and Vox Humana were placed in the Swell where two spare slides had been left in 1963. An independent full compass 32' pedal reed was also added and given the unique name of a medieval instrument in keeping with others Walker's made at the time such as Serpent, and Sackbut. Keith Bance worked for Walkers in the 1960's, and voiced the new stops in exact sympathy. The renovations in 1991 and 1998 also included the re-leathering of the bellows, and installation of an 8x8 general piston system.

The major 2005/6 restoration including the refurbishment of the Great soundboard and fitting with new longer pallets, re-leathering all seven of Walker's wind stabilizer pans, moving the pedal chests backwards for easier access and re-winding the pedal. Other work included lowering the swell action for maintenance and renewing the manual pull downs. Additional pipes in the exact style were made for the Pedal 4' Nachthorn to give a manual compass of 61 notes. It can now be used as a much-needed Great 8' Flute, while the lovely Great 8' Spitzflute, more of a string stop, has been retained. The Swell fan tremulant has been refurbished while the Positive fan tremulant has been replaced with one that has speed and depth control of the 'dumper' type, because the old one kept shading the pipework and made life very difficult for the tuner. In the spirit of the North European organ a Zimbelstern has been added of high random bells. The Great Octave 4' which was from Walker's 'stock' in 1963, was not a satisfactory pivotal stop for the chorus, and has been replaced with a new spotted metal stop similar to that of the Positive 4' Principal, although much larger in scale. Keith Bance has voiced it in contemporary style with minimal nicking at the mouth.

Specification

Balanced mechanical Swell pedal. Electro-pneumatic action. Wind 3" to 3 1/2" wg.

Reversible pistons for Sw/Gt, Pos/Gt & Gt/Ped. Reversible foot pistons for Gt/Ped. Gt Sub Octave & Tutti (with indicators)

Four thumb pistons to Sw, Gt & Pos. Eight toe pistons to Generals & four to the Pedal. Eight manual general pistons & General cancel. All the departmental pistons are adjustable on a setter board while the Generals are adjustable by means of an eight-channel capture system.

Manuals CC to C, 61 notes. Pedals CCC to G, 32 notes.

The historic 1859 Bryceson organ at St Dominic's Priory, London NW5

During the spring of 2005 the parish council of Old Cleeve, in Somerset (United Kingdom) decided to replace the historic organ in their church with an electronic instrument. The Brethren of St Dominic’s Priory met in Chapter and agreed that the addition of a small organ in the Lady Chapel would benefit the local community in many ways, and that it was prepared to house the instrument. A faculty was obtained to allow the organ to be removed from its home in Somerset, and it was finally taken out of the church shortly before Christmas 2005 and stored at the Deane Organ Builder’s workshop in Taunton.

During the dismantling process, an old delivery-note was discovered perfectly preserved inside the swell-box. It stated that the organ had been sent by Great Western Railway to Watchet in Somerset, from 34 Brook Street, Euston Road (London) where Bryceson had their factory from 1859 to 1867. The organ would be “coming home”, since St Dominic’s Priory is situated just a few miles north of where it was built. More significantly, it dates precisely with the time construction was begun on the Priory building and matches exactly the design and colour-scheme of the interior. In June 2007, the Deane Organ Builders spent three days reconstructing the organ in the Lady Chapel of St Dominic’s Priory. It now sounds better than it has ever done before in a spacious acoustic and beautiful setting.

Specification

Bourdon 16 (bottom octave only)
Open Diapason 8’
Stopped Diapason 8’
Dulciana 8’
Principal 4’

Compass: CC-f
Mechanical action throughout
Pedal-board attachment (added in 1974)
Folding cover
Draw-stops above keyboard
All speaking pipes enclosed in a balanced swell box