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Planned completion 2023

The cathedral congregation and its musicians have long wished for a Choir Organ for use in this historic building. Its rich and lively choral life together with acoustical considerations make this a necessity. The Schuke organ of 1961-2 at the west end was rebuilt by us in 2003. Heard from the other end of the building, however, its sounds are naturally indirect and delayed, and musically ill-suited for services and choir concerts held there. The characteristic ‘English Romantic’ tonal ideal is recognised as eminently suitable for the accompaniment of choral music in great cathedrals and will be reflected in the English-influenced specification and voicing style.

Over the years, the organ commission has considered a wide variety of sites for a suitable choir organ. On the one hand its position has to be sensible from a technical and acoustic standpoint. On the other, it must not impair the architectural aspects of the interior, in particular the valuable secco wall paintings in the quire and crossing area. Collaboration between the architect, officials of the historic monuments commission and an organ designer eventually arrived at a concept, by which the organ will be divided in two irregular but matching, free-standing, wing-shaped towers standing at the junction of the crossing and the two transepts.

The Choir Organ will have 31 true stops, enlarged by various extensions and transmissions. To this end some of the windchests will be of unit construction. Both the Schwellwerk (south side) and Hauptwerk (north side) will have swell shutters on three sides, separately controllable. The third manual (Solo) will be completed by a Tuba on high pressure, together with tubular bells. Manual ranks will extend to g4 for use with superoctave couplers. Larger pedal ranks will be sited in the south transept. A mobile console will serve as a central console, from which both the Choir Organ and the main organ at the west end will be playable.

Console, pedal and south division will be installed by 2023: the Hauptwerk will follow as finances become available.