Organ

The Director of Music writes....
In a place where liturgy and music, hallmarks of worship, are experienced at their best, the organ plays a vital role. In a cathedral, which forms the spiritual heart of a Diocese, the organ can serve many functions. Here in Leeds, it will provide accompaniment for a choral foundation numbering some 110 children from across Yorkshire, enhance and adorn the music for services great and small, and act as an inspiration to all who play and listen to it.

A central situation in Leeds coupled with wonderful acoustics makes the Cathedral attractive as a concert venue to many prestigious groups from across the country, including Opera North, the BBC and the Millennium Youth Choir.

The 1904 Organ
The organ was manufactured by one of the most eminent English organ builders, Norman and Beard, and was built specifically for the Cathedral in 1904, contemporary with the construction of the building. It was made at the same time and by the same company as the recently restored Usher Hall organ in Edinburgh.

The Cathedral instrument has been described of outstanding importance by many experts in the field. "one of the most notable examples of Edwardian organ building in Britain" David Sanger (Recitalist and Leeds Cathedral organ consultant) "a thrilling sound with sonorities high in the tingle factor" Dr. Simon Lindley (Leeds City Organist).

The organ has survived a period of silence of around 25 years. A reconstructed instrument will be really versatile - powerful enough to accompany a large body of singers in the Cathedral, subtle enough to accompany the liturgy, and flamboyant enough to produce an instrument of premier concert value for the city of Leeds.

The Choral Foundation
The Cathedral maintains what is likely to be the largest singing programme for children in the country, in terms of opportunities of access for all, and inclusivity to girls, boys and teenagers. These opportunities are open to everyone, irrespective of denomination or background.

Future Developments
- A beautifully restored cathedral organ would attract major recitalists and ensembles to Leeds, including an annual celebrity series with the potential for great media coverage.

- The completion of the award winning Cathedral Hall means that audience refreshment and corporate hospitality can be offered at such events.

- The Cathedral funds scholarships for young organists, conductors and composers. A restored pipe organ could be used by Leeds University and Leeds College of Music for teaching organ students, since both institutions lack instruments.

- Leeds Cathedral is the alternative venue of choice, due to its central location, for the Town Hall recitals. In 2004/2005, all the organ recitals took place at the Cathedral.

- The cathedral music staff is also responsible for liturgical music in over 90 primary and secondary schools. A "learn about the organ visit" will be built into syllabuses, and appropriate educational materials produced relating to the science of the new instrument.

The 2005 Phoenix Organ

Whilst fund-raising proceeds for the full restoration and enlargement of the 1904 pipe organ by Klais of Bonn, the cathedral has chosen a new temporary electronic instrument from Phoenix Organs UK. The specification was drawn up by Benjamin Saunders and the console built for Phoenix Organs by Renatus Ltd. David Bostock supervised the installation of the instrument in February 2005.