Quote from: liberclavis on April 23, 2013, 12:08:09 AM
Someone, somewhere knows the answer - so please tell me: how many five-manual organs were there in England in 1913. Why then? because I am writing an article about the moribund Cavaille-Coll organ in Manchester Town Hall. It started life as a three-deck, C-C added a fourth in 1893 and Lewis a fifth in 1913. The only verifiable ones I can find are Doncaster, Calne, St Pauls and Westminster Abbey. Not sure when the Christ's Hospital one was put in. Any additions to this list, anyone? Thanks
That at Christ's Hospital, Horsham was rebuilt as a five-clavier instrument in 1931, by Rushworth and Dreaper. However, the fifth clavier only controlled the West End division - which consisted of three stops: an Open Diapason 8ft., an Octave Diapason 4ft. (given erroneously as 8ft., in the NPOR survey) and a Tuba Magna (C.S. Lang was the Director of Music there, between 1929 - 45).
To your verified list, you can add the following:
Hexham Abbey (HN&B, 1904: V/47)
Norwich Cathedral (N&B, 1899: V/65 - including Gongs on the Echo Organ.)
Incidentally, in Calne (at the stated date), there were technically two five-clavier organs. Both were commissioned by Henry Harris, the bacon magnate; one for the parish church (Saint Mary the Virgin) and another for his private residence (Castle House). However, in the case of the instrument at his house, the Solo Organ was prepared-for, only.*
Incidentally, 'diapason' is correct - Paul Derrett now owns the five-clavier console, which was formerly connected to the instrument in Tewkesbury Abbey (in its previous incarnation). I did once play this instrument, although it was pretty much on its last 'pipes' by that time (1993).
* For the record, the instrument at Castle House is no longer present. That at the parish church is - although rebuilt and reduced to four claviers, in 1963, by the original firm (Conacher). Having played it on a number of occasions (including for a carol service with a capacity congregation), I can only describe it as a heap of junk. Tonally, it is a disaster; mechanically, it was somewhat unreliable. Apparently, in 2002, the church appealed for £250,000, in order to restore the instrument. The work was to be undertaken in three stages, with completion projected for 2008. I have no idea if this was achieved. However, if the targets were met and the restoration carried-out, I would hate to have to have played this instrument prior to its restoration - it must have been appalling.