The main organ as it stands
today is virtually as built in 1930 by Harrison and Harrison and is a fine example of
their work. There are four manuals and pedals, 50 stops and all the usual playing aids.
The instrument also possesses a digital recording and playback system which enables the
player to audition the tonal balance of a piece of music from the nave.
It is known that an organ existed in St Martins Church during the reign of Edward VI
(1547 - 1553) but part of the instrument was sold around 1562. It was not until 1766
that a new organ was commissioned and its construction was entrusted to John Snetzler.
This new organ was completed in 1774 at a cost of £612 7s 6d.
The Snetzler organ was of three manuals but no pedals although the compass of the Great
and Choir divisions allowed bass notes to be played. Further work was carried out to the
organ over the next 100 years and this included cleaning, adding of extra pipes, construction
of a pedal division, and finally resiting the whole instrument at the South West corner which
is now St Georges Chapel.
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The Solo Organ Case |
In 1873 J W Walker and Sons were commissioned to build a new organ at a cost of £1600 and
this instrument was sited in the North Transept. Much of Snetzler's pipework was retained
but the action was new. There were four manuals and pedals and 50 stops although one of
these was spare for the addition of a 32ft pedal stop. It was clear by 1906 that work was
needed to the action and other areas but for various reasons much of this work was not carried out.
It was not until 1930 that Harrison and Harrison completed the instrument that we see today. Many Snetzler pipes
were retained and tubular pneumatic action added. Additionally the instrument was re sited to the
West End, most of the organ being positioned in the North Aisle with parts of the Solo Organ being
positioned above the gallery. The usual maintenance work was carried out periodically and some minor
changes were made to the specification.
The renovated Harrison console |
In 1978 Harrison and Harrison carried out work which included
replacing the Great Harmonics with a Mixture and the Choir Flauto Traverso with a Larigot.
In 1983 Hill, Norman and Beard undertook a general renovation. They
also converted the action to electro pneumatic, added two pedal stops and
increased the number of pistons. New keyboards and pedalboards were
installed and a digital recording and playback system added.
In January 2003, Harrison and Harrison commenced a general renovation of the organ. The action and console were
restored to the authentic style of 1930 with new keyboards in bone and ivory and new pedals. Six stops were
replaced and playing aids comprehensively improved.
The compass of the manuals is from CC to a3: 58
notes, and the pedal compass is from CCC to F: 30 notes.
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Click to view the specification.
Click to hear a RealAudio clip.
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Leicester Cathedral
Cathedral Centre
21 St Martin's, Leicester. LE1 5DE
Telephone: 0116 248 7400 Fax: 0116 248 7470
Email: leicestercathedral@leccofe.org
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