The Organ

Upon its opening in 1834, visitors to Birmingham Town Hall were awestruck not only by the building’s impressive Roman Revival civic architecture, but also by the magnificence of its specially commissioned organ.

What made the organ so immediately and visually impressive to those first audiences were the huge 32 foot pipes that were, for the first time in England, incorporated into the decorative case front.

One of the very few organs of the time to have four manuals and a complete set of pedals, the size of the organ grew over the years, from 3,000 to 6,000 pipes.

Paid for from public funds, the instrument was a record breaker; being the largest organ in England at the time. Even today it is still comparable with the most powerful of cathedral organs around the world.

The organ’s reputation as one of England’s finest historical instruments has been confirmed by the excellence and reputation of the Birmingham City Organists who have continued to demonstrate the instrument’s versatility.

With recitals and organ-related educational activity planned upon the building’s re-opening, the internationally recognised instrument is integral to the musical past and future of Town Hall.

RESTORED TO GLORY

NEW TOWN HALL ORGAN CD

Released to celebrate the re-opening of Town Hall, Birmingham, and the restoration of its historic 1834 William Hill organ, Thomas Trotter presents a new recording of dazzling organ showpieces. Drawing from the great Town Hall tradition, the disc features pieces that demonstrate the instrument’s full range, including original organ works together with colourful orchestral transcriptions.

Restored to Glory is available for the price of £12.50 from Town Hall and THe SHop at Symphony Hall on 0121 200 2382.

Produced by Regent Records, in association with Town Hall, Birmingham.

• Construction

  At 70 foot high, the organ case is as tall as two double decker buses stood end on end. The largest metal pipe is 35 foot and 3 inches long, equivalent to the height of an average house. Like the original ownership of the Town Hall itself, the organ w... more

• Refurbishment

  The organ case has been decorated three times in its history. The first time it was decorated by the Crace family who had earlier undertaken much work at Brighton Pavilion, including the lavishly exotic music room there. Contemporary descriptions sai... more

• Performance History

  Despite the fact that the organ was not quite finished, an organ recital was first given on 29 August 1834. The first performance on the completed instrument was given by Mr S Wesley on 26 December 1834, although the records do not tell us if this wa... more

• The Birmingham City Organists

  Integral to the success of the organ was the establishment of the post of Birmingham City Organist. From the outset, the organ played a major role in the life of the Town Hall and the City Fathers were anxious to allow its citizens free access to a r... more

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