The Abbey Organ
The Organ in Hexham Abbey is unique in this country, being the only instrument in the British Isles by the late Lawrence Phelps of Erie, Pennsylvania. The organ is also unusual for a parish church instrument in that it retains the historical placement on top of the choir screen. With 34 stops, mechanical action and a Werkprinzip layout, it is unashamedly classical in concept and construction.
The organ was built in 1974 and shows much French influence as can be seen in the stop list (Phelps worked for some years in French Canada), yet at the same manages to combine a typical north German sound with an element of Englishness in the swell, making it a hugely versatile instrument for both recitals and liturgical use. The specification can be seen here.
The organ is in much demand for recordings and broadcasts and attracts many internationally-renowned performers. Dame Gillian Wier has a long-standing association with this instrument.
Much fascinating information about the Hexham Abbey organ, and other instruments by the maker, can be found via this link at the Phelps & Associates web site.
Hear the Hexham Abbey organ
Click on the icons below to hear short extracts from a recording by Michael Haynes ("Contrasts", VIF Records VRCD052). Sound files are in mp3 format and approximately 0.3Mb.
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JS Bach, Chorale prelude "Komm Hieliger Geist" |
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Flor Peeters, O God Thou Faithful God |
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Max Reger, Toccata and Fugue in D minor |
Specification
| Great | Swell | Pedal | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bourdon | 16 | Bourdon | 8 | Principal | 16 |
| Principal | 8 | Salicional | 8 | Soubasse | 16 |
| Fl. a Cheminee | 8 | Voix celestes | 8 | Octave basse | 8 |
| Octave | 4 | Principal | 4 | Bourdon | 8 |
| Flute conique | 4 | Flute | 4 | Octave | 4 |
| Superoctave | 2 | Nazard | 2 2/3 | Fourniture | IV |
| Cornet | V | Doublette | 2 | Bombarde | 16 |
| Fourniture | V | Flute a bec | 2 | Bassoon | 16 |
| Trompette | 8 | Tierce | 1 3/5 | Trompette | 8 |
| Clairon | 4 | Larigot | 1 1/3 | Chalmeau | 4 |
| Cymbale | IV | ||||
| Basson | 16 | ||||
| Oboe | 8 | ||||
| Cromorne | 4 |