Royal Albert Hall Organ

The Royal Albert Hall Organ stands in the Royal Albert Hall in the City of Westminster. It is the second largest pipe organ in the United Kingdom, after the organ in Liverpool Cathedral. The hall itself is a circular building with a domed roof, opened in the 19th century. The organ occupies the north end of the auditorium, behind the stage. Its case is made of oak and painted in deep brown tones. The instrument’s builder, Henry ‘Father’ Willis, called it ‘The Voice of Jupiter’. The organ is worth the journey for its size and history. It was first built in 1871 with four manuals and 111 stops, then the largest organ in the world. The Durham firm Harrison & Harrison rebuilt it in 1924 and 1933, increasing it to 146 stops. By the late 20th century the organ had fallen into disrepair, with leaking wind chests and failing leatherwork. A full rebuild by Mander Organs restored it to 147 stops and 9,999 pipes by 2004. The instrument has featured in recordings by Pink Floyd, Muse and Disney’s Tron. Visitors find the organ behind the stage in the grand auditorium. The oak case frames ranks of gleaming metal pipes rising in curved towers. The console has five manuals and a wide array of draw-stops and couplers. The rebuilt instrument blends Willis and Harrison tonal qualities, with reed stops in bold relief. Organ recitals and concerts often include performances on this instrument. The hall’s dome and surrounding galleries provide a sweeping view of the organ and the hall’s interior.