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Complete description of the selected organ
Photo: Ad Agterberg. Date: 18 June 2013.

Photo: Ad Agterberg

London, United Kingdom (Greater London) - Saint Paul's Cathedral (City)
Municipal: London
Address: Ludgate Hill, EC4M 8AD, London
Website: https://www.stpauls.co.uk/

Description nr.: 2000059.

Built by: firma Henry Willis & Sons (1872)
The organ contains older material: from 1694 by Bernard "Father" Smith

YearBuilderOpusActivity
1872 firma Henry Willis & Sons  new organ
1899 firma Henry Willis & Sons 
1930 firma Henry Willis & Sons  rebuild
1977 Mander Organs  enlargement

  • The organ in Saint Paul's Cathedral in London was originally built by 'Father' Smith in 1694. The instrument had 21 stops, on two manuals and pedal. The organ case was designed by Wren and Gibbons. The place of the organ was on the separation of the nave and the choir of the church. The organ therefore had two facades. The case had a small chaire organ on the choir side. This instrument was dismantled in 1859.
  • The old case was split into two parts, which were placed on the north and south sides of the choir. In 1872 Henry Willis built a new large organ in those cases, using a lot of the old material. The case on the north side was expanded with a chaire organ, copied from the other one, to create a symmetrical case. In 1899 the organ was expanded with a few pedal stops and a Tuba section. Part of the organ was installed under the dome in the northeastern Quarter Gallery. This was followed by renovations and expansions in 1930, 1949 and 1960. The current situation arose after major work by Noel Mander in the years 1972-1977. In 1992 an electric register tract with a setzer installation was installed.

Technical data
Number of stops per division
- Great Organ16
- Swell Organ13
- Choir Organ - South Choir13
- Choir Organ - North Choir10
- Solo Organ11
- Dome Section (5th Manual)14
- Tuba Organ - West Gallery7
- Pedal Organ - Chancel Section13 (11)
- Pedal Organ - Dome Section12 (9)
Total number of stops109 (104)
Key actionElectropneumatic
Stop actionElectropneumatic
Windchest(s)Slider chests
Pitcha' = 440 Hz
TemperamentEqual temperament

Specification
Great Organ (North Case) (C-c''''): Double Open Diapason 16' - 1697/1977, Open Diapason 1 8', Open Diapason 2 8' - deels 1697, Stopt Diapason 8' - 1977, Claribel Flute 8' - 1994, Quint 5 1/3', Principal 4' - deels 1697, Flute 4' - 1977, Twelfth 2 2/3', Fifteenth 2' - deels 1697, Mixture 3 ranks (17.19.22), Mixture 3 ranks (24.26.29), Fourniture 4 ranks (19.22.26.29) - 1994, Trombone 16', Trumpet 8', Clarion 4'.
Swell Organ (South Case) - enclosed (C-c''''): Contra Gamba 16', Open Diapason 8', Lieblich Gedact 8', Salicional 8', Vox Angelica 8' (T.C.), Principal 4', Fifteenth 2', Cornet 3 ranks (17.19.22), Contra Posaune 16', Cornopean 8', Hautboy 8' - deels 1977, Vox Humana 8' - 1977, Clarion 4', Tremulant.
Choir Organ (C-c''''):
South Choir: Contra Viola 16' - deels 1977, Bourdon 16' - 1994, Open Diapason 8', Violoncello 8', Claribel Flute 8', Dulciana 8', Gemshorn 4', Lieblich Gedact 4' - 1872, Principal 4' - 1872, Flûte Harmonique 4' - 1994, Flageolet 2', Sesquialtera 2 ranks (12.17) - 1949, Corno di Bassetto 8' - 1994, Tremulant.
North Choir: Chimney Flute 8' - 1977, Principal 4' - 1977, Nason Flute 4' - 1977, Nazard 2 2/3' - 1977, Fifteenth 2' - 1977, Blockflute 2' - 1977, Tierce 1 3/5' - 1977, Larigot 1 1/3' - 1977, Sharp Mixture 4 ranks (26.29.33.36) - 1977, Trumpet 8' - 1977, Tremulant.
Solo Organ (North side) - enclosed (C-c''''): Open Diapason 8' - 1900, Viola 8' - 1900, Viola Celeste 8' - 1951, Flûte Harmonique 8' - 1900, Concert Flute 4', Piccolo 2' - 1900, Corno di Bassetto 8', Cor Anglais 8', French Horn 8' - 1930, Tremulant, Tuba 8' - Unenclosed, Tuba Clarion 4' - Unenclosed.
Dome Section (5th Manual) (C-c''''): Double Open Diapason 16' - 1900/1977, Open Diapason 1 8' - 1977, Open Diapason 2 8' - 1977, Octave 4' - 1977, Super Octave 2' - 1977, Quartane 2 ranks (19.22) - 1977, Mixture 3 ranks (22.26.29), Fourniture 4 ranks (19.22.26.29) - 1977, Contra Posaune 16' - 1900, Trumpet 8' - 1900, Double Tuba 16' - 2008, Tuba 8' - 2008, Clarion 4' - 2008, Trompette Militaire 8' - 1930.
Tuba Organ - West Gallery (C-c''''): Open Diapason 8' - 1977, Octave 4' - 1977, Super Octave 2' - 1977, Mixture 4 ranks (19.22.26.29) - 1977, Royal Trumpet 16' - 1977, Royal Trumpet 8' - 1977, Royal Trumpet 4' - 1977, Pedal Subbass 16' - prepared for.
Pedals (C-g'):
Chancel Pedal: Open Metal 16' - deels 1977, Open Diapason 16' - 1977; from Great, Viola 16' - 1977; from Choir, Bourdon 16' - 1900, Principal 8' - 1977, Flute 8' - 1977, Fifteenth 4' - 1977, Flute 4' - 1977/1994, Mixture 4 ranks (19.22.26.29) - 1977, Contra Posaune 32' - deels 1977, Ophicleide 16', Posaune 8' - 1977, Clarion 4' - 1977.
Dome Pedal: Double Open Wood 32' - 1872/1900, Contra Violine 32' - 1930, Open Wood 16' - 1900; extension, Open Diapason 16' - 1977; from Dome Manual, Contra Bass 16' - 1930, Principal 8' - 1977, Super Octave 4' - 1977, Mixture 4 ranks (19.22.26.29) - 1977, Contra Bombarde 32' - 1960, Bombarde 16', Posaune 16' - 2008; from Dome Manual, Clarion 8'.
Couplers: Choir to Great, Swell to Great, Solo to Great, Vth Manual to Great, Swell to Choir, Solo to Choir, Vth Manual to Choir, Vth Manual to Solo, Positive on Solo, Dome Diapasons on Choir, West Organ on Choir, West Organ on Vth Manual, Octave, Suboctave and Unison Off on Swell, Octave and Suboctave on Solo, Choir to Pedal, Great to Pedal, Swell to Pedal, Solo to Pedal, Solo Octave to Pedal, Vth Manual to Pedal, Chancel Pedal Off, Dome Pedal Off.
Accessories: 256x256 setzer-combinaties, Full Chancel Organ, Full Organ, Great & Pedal combinations coupled, Vth & Pedal combinations coupled.

Other specifications
Different specifications
  • De dispositie van Father Smith luidde:
    Great Organ (contra-C contra-D - c'''): Open Diapason 8', Open Diapason 8', Stop Diapason 8', Hol Fleut 8', Principal 4', Great Twelfth 2 2/3', Fifteenth 2', Small Twelfth 1 1/3', Cornet, Mixture, Sesquialtra, Trumpet 8'.
    Chayre Organ (contra-F contra-G contra-A-c'''): Quinta Dena Diapason 8', Stop Diapason 8', Principal 4', Hol Fleut 4', Great Twelfth 2 2/3', Fifteenth 2', Cimball, Voix Humaine 8', Crum Horne 8'.
    Echo Organ (c-c'''): Diapason 8', Principal 4', Nason 4', Fifteenth 2', Cornet, Trumpet 8'.

  • In 1971 was de dispositie:
    Great Organ: Double Open Diapason 16', Lieblich Bourdon 16' (1929), Open Diapason I 8' (1900), Open Diapason II 8', Open Diapason III 8' (1694), Open Diapason IV 8' (1900), Claribel Flute 8' (1946), Quint 5 1/3', Principal I 4', Principal II 4', Twelfth 2 2/3', Fifteenth 2', Fourniture III ranks, Mixture III ranks, Trombone 16', Tromba 8', Clarion 4'.
    Solo Organ: Open Diapason 8', Viola da Gamba 8', Flute Harmonique 8', Concert Flute 4', Piccolo 2', Contra Posaune 16', Contra Fagotto 16', Trumpet 8', French Horn 8' (1930), Corno di Bassetto 8', Cor Anglais 8', Orchestral Oboe 8', Violes Celestes 8', Tremolo .
    Tuba (in de koepel): Double Tuba 16', Tuba 8', Clarion 4'.
    Tuba (Diapason chorus): Double Open Diapason 16', Open Diapason I 8', Open Diapason 2 8', Octave Diapason 4', Principal 4', Quartane II ranks, Cymbale III ranks, Mixture V ranks.
    Swell Organ: Contra Gamba 16', Open Diapason 8', Lieblich Gedackt 8', Salicional 8', Vox Angelica 8' (Bass uit Salicional), Principal 4', Fifteenth 2', Cornet III ranks, Contra Posaune 16', Cornopean 8', Hautboy 8', Clarion 4'.
    Choir Organ: Contra Viola 16', Open Diapason 8', Violoncello 8', Clarabella 8', Lieblich Gedackt 8', Dulciana 8', Gemshorn 4', Flute Harmonique 4', Nazard 2 2/3' (1930), Flageolet 2', Tierce 1 3/5' (1930), Larigot 1 1/3', Cymbale III ranks, Trumpet 8', Tuba 8' (Chancel), Clarion 4' (Chancel), Trompette Militaire 8' (Koepel. 1930).
    Pedaal: Double Open Bass 32' (Dome), Contra Violine 32' (Dome. 1930), Open Bass I 16' (Dome), Open Bass II 16' (Dome), Open Diapason 16' (Dome), Principal 8' (Dome), Violoncello 8' (Dome), Mixture III ranks (Dome), Bombarde 32' (Dome), Contra Posaune 32' (Dome), Bombarde 16' (Dome), Clarion 8' (Dome), Open Bass 16' (Chancel), Contra Bass 16' (Chancel), Violine 16' (Chancel), Bourdon 16' (Chancel), Open Metal 16' (Chancel. Transmissie van Great), Viola 16' (Chancel. Transmissie van Choir), Octave 8' (Chancel), Flute 8' (Chancel), Octave Flute 4' (Chancel), Ophicleide 16' (Chancel), Viola 16' (Chancel. Transmissie van Choir), Cornet Mixture V ranks (Chancel).

Literature
  • The organists & composers of S. Paul's Cathedral / John S. Bumpus. - London : Bowden, Huson & Co., 1891.
  • Orgels in de Town Hall in Birmingham, St. Paul in London, Kathedraal in Wurzburg, Martinikerk in Groningen / Jan Poelman Jnr. - In: De Orgelvriend, jrg. 13 nr. 4, april 1971.
  • St. Paul's Cathedral 1972-1977. - London : N.P. Mander, 1977. - Informatiestencil.
  • British versatility : Three organs: old, recent, and new / Alan Buchan, Christopher Dearnley, Peter le Huray. - In: Organists' Review, vol. 65 no. 2, May 1980.
  • Grote Engelse organisten spelen geen werk van hun landgenoten : Internationaal orgelcongresweek juli/aug. '80 centrum Oxford : deel 1 / Jan W. van Spronsen. - In: De Orgelvriend, jrg. 23 nr. 1, januari 1981.
  • The organs of the City of London : From the Restoration to the Present / Nicholas M. Plumley. - Oxford : Positif Press, 1996.
  • Enige kathedralen & basilieken en hun orgels / Henk Roosenberg, Arjen Looyenga, Ton van Eck. - Haarlem : Stichting Kathedrale Basiliek St. Bavo, 2003.
  • Harrison & Harrison Organbuilders Ltd. : Afl. 1: Panorama van het Engelse orgelbouwlandschap tot 1900 / Hendrik Jan de Bie. - In: De Orgelvriend, jrg. 46 nr. 9, september 2004.
Recordings
  • B-A-C-H : Anatomy of a Motif / Simon Johnson. - Chandos CHAN 5285 (2CD). - 2022.
  • Holst - The Planets : St. Paul's Suite / Simon Johnson. - Priory Records PRCD 1144 (CD). - 2015.
  • The Grand Organ of St.Paul's Cathedral, London / Simon Johnson. - Priory Records PRDVD 5 (DVD with CD). - 2009.
  • Organ Extravaganza! : The Organs of St.Paul's Cathedral, London / John Scott, Huw Williams, Christopher Dearnley. - Priory Records PRCD 5037 (CD). - 2009.
  • Music for an occasion : Christopher Dearnley plays the Grand Organ of Saint Paul's Cathedral, London / Christopher Dearnley. - Priory Records PRCD 6003 (dubbel-CD).
  • Widor - Bovet - Ireland - Dubois - Howells - Thalben-Ball - Gigout - Whitlock / Huw Williams. - Guild Music GMCD 7304 (CD). - 2006.
  • Percy Whitlock Organ Sonata in C minor - Fantasie Choral no. 1 - Five Short Pieces / John Scott. - Hyperion CDA 7470 (CD). - 2004.
  • Christmas Organ Music from St. Paul's Cathedral / Huw Williams. - Priory Records PRCD 778 (CD). - 2004.
  • John Scott plays the organ of St. Paul's Cathedral, London. - Priory PRCD 401 (CD). - (Great European Organs ; 34).
  • Organ music by Marcel Dupré - 2 / John Scott. - Hyperion CDA 67047 (CD). - 1998.
  • Organ of St. Paul's Cathedral : Bach - Mozart - Wesley - Mendelssohn - Franck / John Scott. - Castle (CD). - 1996.
  • The magnificent organ / Barry Rose, Christopher Dearnley, Francis Jackson. - Pickwick Orchid Series ORCD 11009 (CD). - 1993. - Opgenomen in Guildford, London en York.
  • St. Paul's Cathedral : The Grand Organ / Andrew Lucas. - Mirabilis MRCD 905 (CD). - 1991.
  • The complete organ music of Maurice Duruflé / John Scott. - CD. - 1990.
  • Mendelssohn Music for Organ / John Scott. - Hyperion CDD 22029 (dubbel-CD). - Heruitgave van de nummers CDA 66491 en 66492.
  • Herbert Howells : Psalm Preludes & Rhapsodies / Christopher Dearnley. - Hyperion CDA 66394 (CD). - 1990.
  • Popular organ works / John Scott. - Cirrus Digital Classics CD 109 (CD). - 1987.
  • Marcel Dupré Organ Music / John Scott. - Hyperion (CD)A 66205 (LP/CD). - 1986.
  • Christopher Dearnley plays the organ of St.Paul's Cathedral London. - Guild Records GRSP 7011 (LP).
  • Ceremonial Music for Organ with Reubke's Sonata in C minor: The 94th Psalm / Christopher Dearnley. - Oxford University Press OUP 154 (LP). - 1980.
  • Organ Music from St. Paul's Cathedral / Christopher Herrick. - VISTA VPS 1001 (Mirasound) (LP). - 1971.
Links https://www.stpauls.co.uk/organs
YouTube Grand Organ of St Paul's Cathedral, London - demonstration


Photo: Frans Sellies. Date: 9 August 2010.
Photo: Frans Sellies
Photo: Frans Sellies. Date: 9 August 2010.
Photo: Frans Sellies
Photo: Frans Sellies. Date: 9 August 2010.
Photo: Frans Sellies
Photo: Jaap Huttenga. Date: 12 November 2012.
Photo: Jaap Huttenga
Photo: Jaap Huttenga. Date: 12 November 2012.
Photo: Jaap Huttenga
Photo: Frans Sellies. Date: 9 August 2010.
Photo: Frans Sellies
Source: Postcard.
Source: Postcard
Source: Postcard.
Source: Postcard
Console. Source: Postcard.
Source: Postcard
Photo: Frans Sellies. Date: 8 August 2010.
Photo: Frans Sellies