Organ Photo In Today's (friday 20 Nov) Guardian

[Peter Clark]

Can anyone identofy the theatre organ feautured on the front pageof the Film and Music section of today's Guardian? 5 manual with pedalboard to G; the music desk has "Odean"! on it but no other clue.

 

Peter

[Henry Willis]

Can anyone identofy the theatre organ feautured on the front pageof the Film and Music section of today's Guardian? 5 manual with pedalboard to G; the music desk has "Odean"! on it but no other clue.

 

Peter

 

While not having seen this, it sounds very much like "The Duchess" - Odean Liecester Square.

 

DW

[Barry Oakley]

Can anyone identofy the theatre organ feautured on the front pageof the Film and Music section of today's Guardian? 5 manual with pedalboard to G; the music desk has "Odean"! on it but no other clue.

 

Peter

 

 

I'm sure it's the Odeon, Leicester Square instrument and if you look carefully on the r/h panel about level with the fifth manual you will see a nameplate stating it is by John Compton.

[Stephen Dutfield]

I'm sure it's the Odeon, Leicester Square instrument and if you look carefully on the r/h panel about level with the fifth manual you will see a nameplate stating it is by John Compton.

 

I can confirm that it IS the Compton of the Odeon, Leicester Square. The organ has 17 ranks (arranged in 16 units - there is one combined unison and celeste string unit) plus an example of the patent 'Melotone' unit playable from the Orchestral (fourth) manual. The fifth manual is a coupler only. The chambers are beneath the theatre's stage speaking up and out of the orchestra pit. The Compton was installed for the opening of the Odeon in November 1937 and remains in good playing condition.

 

S