THE ORGAN IN PETERBOROUGH CATHEDRAL

Built by Harrison & Harrison

The present Cathedral organ can be traced back to 1894 when William Hill built a new organ incorporating some pipework from previous instruments. Hill was one of the two most celebrated organ builders of the 19th century, and his instruments were designed in a more classical style than the symphonic organs of his rival Henry Willis. Like other Hill organs of the period, the Peterborough instrument is set considerably sharper than modern ‘standard’ pitch. The main organ is situated in the north triforium, behind a case designed by Dr Arthur Hill; the Choir organ is in the north choir aisle, along with two Pedal stops. The console was originally placed in a new gallery north of the choir stalls. In 1930 the organ was rebuilt, with electro-pneumatic action and some tonal changes, by Hill, Norman & Beard, who retained most of the 1894 pipework. The console was moved to a gallery on the south side of the choir stalls.

On 1981 the organ was restored by Harrison & Harrison. Following a fire in the Cathedral in November 2001, the organ was dismantled, restored and reinstated in 2004/2005, the opportunity being taken to provide new electrical systems. The Choir section was moved one bay to the west, bringing it directly beneath the main organ case.

PEDAL

I Choir to Pedal; II Great to Pedal; III Swell to Pedal; IV Solo to Pedal

CHOIR (enclosed)

V Tremulant; VI Swell to Choir; VII Solo to Choir

GREAT

VIII Choir to Great; IX Swell to Great; X Solo to Great

SWELL

XI Tremulant

XII Octave; XIII Sub Octave; XIV Unison Off; XV Solo to Swell

SOLO (71 – 83 enclosed)

XVI Tremulant

XVII Octave; XVIII Sub Octave; XIX Unison Off

COMBINATION COUPLERS

XX Great and Pedal Pistons Coupled
XXI Generals on Swell Foot Pistons

ACCESSORIES

Eight foot pistons to the Pedal Organ
Eight pistons to the Choir Organ
Eight pistons to the Great Organ
Eight pistons to the Swell Organ (duplicated by foot pistons)
Eight pistons to the Solo Organ
Eight general pistons and general cancel
Reversible pistons: I-IV, VI, IX: foot pistons: II, IX, 1, 13
Eight divisional and 128 general piston memories
Stepper, operating general pistons in sequence
Balanced expression pedals to the Choir, Swell and Solo Organs

The actions are electro-pneumatic

The manual compass is 61 notes; the pedal is 30 notes

* = 1981