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The Organ
General >> Detail
The original organ by Nichols (which at that time was one of the largest
in England) was first played at the consecration of the church by
Thomas Attwood (1765-1838) who was then Organist to the Queen at St Paul's
Cathedral.
The current organ, installed in 1932, was a showpiece for the builder John
Compton. Most of the case,
however, dates back to the original instrument of 1824. Designed by
Savage, it incorporates the likeness of the church tower into its
facade. The rows of large pipes at either side of the central case
were added at the end of the 19th century. The instrument was used in its
early days by the BBC for recordings of organ recitals by Marcel Dupré
and Fernando Germani, among others. Compton's other organs include those
at St Mary le Boltons, Derby Cathedral, St Bride's, Fleet Street, St
Alban's, Holborn, BBC Broadcasting House,
Downside Abbey, and the Odeon Cinema, Leicester Square. (The firm of Compton
that currently exists has no connection with this organ builder.)
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