Peterborough Cathedral Organ 

The present Cathedral organ can be traced back to 1894 when William Hill built a new organ incorporating some pipework from previous instruments. Hill was one of the two most celebrated organ builders of the nineteenth century, and his instruments were designed in a more classical style than the symphonic organs of his rival Henry Willis. Like other Hill organs of the period the Peterborough instrument is set considerably sharper than modern ‘standard’ pitch.  The main organ is situated in the north triforium, behind a case designed by Dr Arthur Hill: the Choir Organ is in the north choir aisle, along with two Pedal stops. The console was originally placed in a new gallery north of the choir stalls.  In 1930 the organ was rebuilt, with electro-pneumatic action and some tonal changes, by Hill, Norman & Beard, who retained most of the 1894 pipework. The console was moved to a gallery on the south side of the choir stalls.

In 1981 the organ was restored by Harrison & Harrison.  A small number of changes were made to the specification: the characterful choruses of the Hill instrument and some solo colours from the Hill, Norman & Beard organ were retained and were complemented by some strategic additions. Following the fire in the Cathedral in November 2001, the organ was dismantled, restored and reinstated in 2004-2005, the opportunity being taken to provide new electrical systems. The Choir section was moved one bay to the west, bringing it directly beneath the main organ case.

The present organ has 86 speaking stops spread over four manuals and pedals. It includes comprehensive Great and Swell Organs of 19 and 18 stops respectively, with a large palette of 8’ colours and a complete chorus from 16’ pitch to two mixtures on both divisions. There are nine ranks of reed pipes on the Great and Swell alone.  Unusually every rank in the Pedal Organ is independent (there is no extension even for the 32’ ranks), and there are independent Oboes at 16’ and 8’ pitches on the Swell and Clarinets at 16’ and 8’ pitches on the Solo divisions. The Choir, Swell and Solo divisions are all enclosed.  The Solo division incorporates twelve ranks of gentler orchestral colour as well as a Tuba at 16’ and 8’ pitches in a separate box. There are eight pistons to each division controlled through eight memory levels, and 128 levels of memory for the eight general pistons, which can be operated in sequence via a stepper button.