The current organ in St Machar’s was originally a modest two manual instrument, with pedalboard, built by Henry Willis at the same time that the organs for Exeter and Hereford cathedrals were being constructed. It was built in London and was installed in 1891 where it was situated in a rather dominant position, right underneath and in front of the east window. In 1928 it was dismantled, renovated and extended with the addition of a third (choir) manual by the well-known Rushworth and Dreaper company of Liverpool, and relocated to its current position. In 1956 the same company carried out further renovation, cleaning and refurbishment. Another complete rebuilding of the organ was undertaken by Noel Manders & Co. in 1973. During this re-build a new console was built, retaining the original Willis keys, yet more stops were added and the patent Willis tubular pneumatic action was discarded and replaced with electric action

Great


Pedal


Double Open Diapason 

16

Sub Bourdon 

32*

Open Diapason I 

8

Open Wood 

16

Open Diapason II 

8

Violone (Ext from Gt)

16

Claribel Flute 

8

Bourdon 

16

Principal 

4

Lieblich Bourdon 

16

Harmonic Flute 

4

Principal (Ext from Violone)

8*

Fifteenth 

2

Violoncello

8

Mixture lll

17/19/22

Bass Flute

8*

Bombarde 

8

Fifteenth (Ext from Violone)

4*

Clarion 

4

Flute (Ext from Lieblich Bourdon)

4*



Mixture III                    

22/26/29†

Swell


Ophicleide                 

16

Open Diapason

8

 


Lieblich Gedact

8

Choir

Salicional

8

Lieblich Bourdon (Ext from Ped)

16

Vox Angelica

8

Lieblich Gedact

8

Gemshorn

4

Viola da Gamba

8

Flageolet

2

Principal

4†

Mixture III

15/19/22†

Lieblich Flute

4

Sharp Mixture III

22/26/29†

Fifteenth

2†

Contra Fagotto

16

Piccolo

2

Cornopean

8

Cymbale III 

26/29/33†

Hautboy

8

Corno di Bassetto

8

Clarion

4†

Bombarde (Ext from Great)

8*

Tremulant


Clarion (Ext from Great)

4*



Tremulant


* added 1928      † added 1973

Couplers and Accessories

Great to Pedal

Swell to Great

Choir to Great

 

Choir to Pedal

Swell to Choir

6 toe pistons to Swell (duplicating) & Pedal

 

Swell to Pedal

Swell/Choir Octave

6 thumb pistons to Great, Swell, Choir

6 General thumb pistons

Great and Pedal Combinations coupled Piston/Reversible thumb pistons to Swell-Great, Great-Pedal, Swell-Pedal, Choir-Pedal, Ophicleide/Generals on Swell toe pistons/Reversible toe pistons to Swell-Great and Great-Pedal/General Cancel for each manual separately and universal/Balanced mechanical swell pedal.

Compass: Manuals CC-G (56 notes)/Pedal CCC - F (30 Notes). 2431 pipes

Programme notes by Peter Parfitt