Viewing the console of the Great organ in the Cathedral for the first time was somewhat breathtaking—rather like a pilot sitting for the first time at the controls of a large aircraft. This grand instrument, built by the famous American organ building firm of Ernest M Skinner in 1937 is some five times the size of the organ in St Mary’s, and larger than the organ of Liverpool Cathedral, (the largest pipe organ in the United Kingdom), although by no means the largest pipe organ in the United States.
For the technically minded, the instrument consists of some 10,650 pipes, 188 speaking stops, seven divisions spread over four manuals and pedals, with far too many accessories to mention. All pipe work is situated in various parts of the choir triforium, (the upper level around the choir) and not in the decorative organ cases that sit above the choir, with a stunning en-chamade trumpet that sits proudly above the reredos behind the high altar, which I managed to demonstrate during the opening of Parry’s great Coronation anthem, I was glad—certainly a fitting anthem to include during our visit.
As you can appreciate, all this coupled with an acoustic of some nine seconds makes playing quite an experience, and a very quick lesson in playing certain pieces almost semi-staccato was called for in order not to lose all phrasing in such a long reverberation.
Although the instrument is coming to the end of its life span, plans are afoot in the Cathedral for a new, large West End instrument to sit underneath the huge, dominating rose window, and the current Great organ in the choir to be re-built and enhanced, as this was originally finished and voiced prior to the building of the Cathedral itself being completed some 60 years later.
The console is situated at ground floor level, behind the choir stalls, so at least the organist is in relatively close proximity to the choir, although the choir cannot be seen from the console, except through the TV monitor. This, I discovered, also picks up many cable TV channels—I wondered if this was a bonus for the organist during extremely long sermons.
The various colours of the instrument certainly enhanced the choir’s singing during services, and was able to represent all the various schools of music being performed. In such surroundings “Full” organ certainly took your breath away, although I am led to believe this is far louder in certain parts of the building than the sound experienced at the console.
For me, to have the opportunity to play such an instrument, in such glorious, vast surroundings on a daily basis for a week was a wonderful pleasure. I am extremely grateful to the Cathedral organists for this privilege, as it is not common-place for visiting choirs. A truly unforgettable experience.