The Ash Grove - Bangor Cathedral, Gwynedd (Compton organ)

Описание: #comptonorgan #churchorgan #pipeorgan

Me playing the organ at Bangor Cathedral in Gwynedd, Wales.

The first reference of an organ in the Cathedral comes in the poem by Gruffudd Gryg, who witnessed the arrival of a new instrument sometime between 1350 and 1370, and records how all the parishioners contributed towards it.

During the commonwealth (1649 - 60) the organ was either removed or destroyed in accordance with the Parliamentary Order 'for the speedy demolition of all organs, images and all matters of superstitious monuments in all cathedrals...throughout the kingdom of England and the dominion of Wales.'

When Charles II was restored to the throne in 1660 a new organ was installed being paid for from a legacy of £100 left by Bishop William Roberts and erected by his successor, Robert Morgan. On the organ case was a Latin verse in which the two bishops, who had provided the money and erected the organ, were compared to David and Solomon respectively.

In 1779 the organ was replaced by a new instrument. It cost 360 guineas and was made by Samuel Green, the leading organ builder of his day. This was in constant use until it was replaced by the present organ which was built by William Hill & Son in 1873.

In 1929 electric action was installed by Hill, Norman & Beard but very little alterations made to the specification.

The organ had a major re-build in 1954 by the John Compton Organ Company Ltd which included the installation of new electric action and the present detached drawstop console.

Between 2006 and 2008, David Wells Organ Builders Ltd of Liverpool rebuilt the organ. The solo soundboard is now located in the Crossing Arch into the North Transept, and is the un-enclosed Choir Organ. The choir soundboard in the organ chamber has become the solo soundboard, and has been turned round to face through the Transept Arch. It has been raised high to facilitate toilet and kitchen facilities on the ground floor. A new vestry has been built on the first floor for servers. The console is placed in the North Transept.

Here is the Welsh folk tune "The Ash Grove" which makes use of the Orchestral Oboe on the solo division in the first verse followed by the Harmonic Flute and Harmonic Piccolo in the second verse.

Many thanks to the cathedral organist for allowing me access to play this magnificent instrument.

For more information on the John Compton Organ Company Ltd and to see me play other Compton organs, please click on the following link for my site dedicated to the John Compton Organ Company Ltd:

http://comptonorgans.yolasite.com/

REQUEST: I am always on the lookout for Compton organs to play - particularly electrones - so if you know of any churches which still have these then please do let me know. I will happily give a donation or pay any applicable room hire charge.