St Aidan. Sudden. Rochdale

The Father Willis Organ of St Aidan's

 

 

The organ was built for the Park Hall, Cardiff in 1884 by "Father Willis" and

 modernised by his grandson in 1928.

 It has been declared by authorities to be the finest organ in Wales.

 "Father Willis" was renowned for his organ pipe work and voicing of heavy pressure

 reed stops for which this instrument is a fine example. There are 2,565 pipes ranging in size from as small as an ounce in weight to over 4.5cwt in weight.

St. Aidan's original organ loft was doubled in size to take all the pipe work for this instrument when installed in 1952, the detached console was sited on the opposite side of the chancel. The organ was bought and installed during the incumbency of the Rev B.L.Barnby, a well-known church musician, who used music to develop and extend the worship of God. The organ cost £5000 to purchase and install.

In the late 1980's the instrument was becoming unreliable and often needed "tweaking" before and during services. The Parish Church Council decided to get quotes for an overhaul and in 1990 Halifax organ builder Michael Fletcher spent 6 months doing the work. The work included rewiring, removal, repair and refitting of all the pipe work, and mechanisms. A year later, due to a water tank leak above the console 3 new keyboards were installed.

Since installation in 1952 the organ has been used for many recitals and choral works as well as all normal church services. Well known recitalists have included...
Norman Cocker Manchester Cathedral in the 1950's
Ronald Frost Organist & choirmaster St Aidan's (mid 1950's), Later at St Ann's Manchester and Head of organ studies R.N.C.M
Cyril Walker Organist and choirmaster St Aidan's in late 1950's
Prof. Ian Tracey Liverpool Anglican Cathedral


From 1980 onwards...Every year on Good Friday the organ is used to accompany a "Come and Sing" Messiah or Crucifixion.

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