The Rebuilding of the Organ in Saint Fin Barre's Cathedral, Cork

[pcnd5584]

I have discovered that this instrument is currently undergoing major work. This includes a new* Choir Organ (complete with cabinet work - no case as such), a new console and a new West Gallery section, high up on the west wall.

 

However, despite some careful searching, I have been unable to locate a projected specification for this instrument. Apart from those items listed above, the only other thing mentioned specifically is the installation of a thirty-two-foot stop (although there is already a Sub Bass on the Pedal Organ).

 

Is anyone able to provide further information on the phased work on this instrument, please?

 

The link to the website follows:

 

http://stfinbarres.w.../organ-rebuild/

 

* Or possibly just re-sited above ground.

[pcnd5584]

Recently, I discovered one or two photographs of the installation of a Nave Organ in this building - and a tantalising glimpse of some new panelling behind the choir stalls, which encloses a (new) Choir Organ. However, I have been unable to find any further details - such as the new disposition of the departments and the new stop-list. Does anyone have any details or information to add to this, please? The link above is no longer active.

 

Any information will be received gratefully.

 

Thank you.

 

Here follows a link to the information which I have been able to locate: http://www.cathedral...an_restoration/

 

However, there is no stop-list, as far as I can see. In addition, it appears not to have been updated since May, last year.

[AJJ]

Sometime ago I was in contact with the DOM who said that the stoplist would be on the website eventually.

 

A

[pcnd5584]

Sometime ago I was in contact with the DOM who said that the stoplist would be on the website eventually.

 

A

 

Thank you for this, Alastair,

[AJJ]

Here it is:

 

http://corkcathedral.webs.com/specification

 

A

[David Drinkell]

This makes it the biggest organ in Ireland by a long way (about 15 speaking stops).

[Philip J Wells]

I hope they upload the promised organ photo's. I am interested to see what the new west end looks like and what the new choir organ case looks like. Also, the design proposed by Burges.

[Edit I now see the link is broken from the organ specification page. It is better to look at the main Cathedral website and on the Music/ organ tabs. I would still like to see some more pictures, though I appreciate given the position of the organ they are rather difficult to take. An ordinary view of the west end and choir organ would be good.]

[AJJ]

As far as I can work out the new west organ is fronted by a piperack - the choir organ in the chancel seems to be contained behind panels near the pit where the rest is situated. I played the instrument some years ago and seem to remember some nice sounds in a good acoustic. It would be interesting to know more about the recent work.

 

A

[David Drinkell]

I cant think of any proper organ case by Burges. I would imagine he would have gone for pipe racks, possibly with embellished ironwork, as the most medieval-looking solution, and possibly the new nave organ follows a similar idea. The main organ at Cork has for most of its life been in a pit on the north side - it was notorious for it! - so as to avoid spoiling the view. It sounded very well, though. As someone who isn't keen on old Hills, it was always one of the exceptions to my general lack of enthusiasm. There was no case, just panelling over which one could look down upon the pipes.

[GrossGeigen]

Studley Royal, and Skelton cum Newby, are worth a look on the NPOR.

[David Drinkell]

Strewth - I see what you mean! Thank you. Very much the Victorian medievalist's guess about what a gothic organ should look like. Both organs are by Lewis, I notice.

[Philip J Wells]

Burges designed a splendid case for his proposed Lille Cathedral to go on a gallery under a rose window, so it could be in the Transept rather than the West end. There are pyramids on top of what looks like battlements on the towers with several in between bits which look like tiled sloping roofs on a case with nine compartments. It has a 'chair ' case on the front of the gallery as well. Unfortunately, it is only a black and white print so I do not know if the original was coloured in what might have been a riot of colours. Fantastical!

 

It appears on page 137 of the 2013 revised J Mordaunt Crook book on William Burgess which was bought new for significantly less than the £45 listed on the cover. The pages alone measure in at 3.5 cm thickness. I call that a good buy!

[pcnd5584]

Here it is:

 

http://corkcathedral.webs.com/specification

 

A

 

 

Finally. Thank you, Alastair. I have been looking (and waiting) for this for ages.

 

It looks on paper to be well-balanced - although the unenclosed section of the Solo Organ appears a little odd. It seems to have acquired the old G.O. reed chorus (from the nomenclature). However, aside from this reservation, I should happily live with this.