Southwark Cathedral
Read MoreSouthwark Cathedral Organ, T.C. Lewis 1897, Willis III 1952, Harrison & Harrison 1991
Lewis & Co. of south London built the main organ for the cathedral in 1897. “Thomas Christopher Lewis, the company's founder, was renowned for building instruments that had a bright, vibrant tone which, in part, was due to his use of low wind pressures. Consequently, he was somewhat out-of-step with the trend at the time, which was tending towards high wind pressures and rather thicker tone," according to the church website. Noted Victorian architect Arthur Blomfield designed the case.
“Apart from routine maintenance, the instrument remained untouched until 1952, when Henry Willis & Son undertook a major rebuild, during which the wind pressures were increased.”
“Some years after the rebuild it was thought that the Willis changes, though undoubtedly well-intentioned, detracted too much from the original concept, so the decision was taken to restore the instrument to the Lewis specifications. The Durham-based firm of Harrison and Harrison was engaged and the work was carried out in two stages.” The first stage was in 1986 and the second was in 1991. The church website provides technical details which are beyond my comprehension.
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