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. In this position is speaks directly down the nave, and has a commanding visual and musical presence, despite its relatively modest resouces of only two manuals, pedals, and 34 stops. With its mechanical action and a Werkprinzip layout, it is unashamedly classical in concept and construction. Take a look at its external and internal layout and pipework in the photo gallery .

The organ was built in 1974, and 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 below.

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.

Specification

Great Organ - Manual 1, 2.6" wind pressure.

		1	Bourdon	16
		2	Principal	8
		3	Flute a cheminee	8
		4	Octave	4
		5	Flute conique	4
		6	Superoctave	2
		7	Cornet	V
		8	Fourniture	IV
		9	Trompette	8
		10	Clairon	4

Swell Organ - Manual 2, 2.4" wind pressure.

		1	Bourdon	8
		2	Salicional	8
		3	Voix celestes	8
		4	Principal	4
		5	Flute	4
		6	Nazard	2 2/3
		7	Doublette	2
		8	Flute a bec	2
		9	Tierce	1 3/5
		10	Larigot	1 1/3

Pedal Organ - 2.8" wind pressure

		1	Principal	16
		2	Soubasse	16
		3	Octave Basse	8
		4	Bourdon	8
		5	Octave	4
		6	Superoctave	2
		7	Fourniture	IV
		8	Bombarde	16
		9	Basson	16
		10	Trompette	8
		11	Chalumeau	4

Sound Clips

Widor - Toccata from the Organ Symphony no 5

Mulet - Carillon sortie

More sound clips are available on this page

Photo Gallery

click on an image to see a larger picture (typically 50-100kb)

© Music in the Abbey 2008.