ORGAN OF THE MONTH 74: August 2008
Solihull
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About thirty members of BOA last month enjoyed an excellent evening in the chapel of Solihull School, where Paul Hale (of Southwell Minister, former Music Scholar of Solihull School & BOA member, and honorary consultant for the recent rebuild) entertained us by playing on, and talking about, the Nicholson organ.
The pipework originates from many different sources, including an 1861 Nicholson organ from Wycliffe Baptist Church, Birmingham, Hill pipes from Worcester Cathedral, the Compton organs from the Gaumont Cinema Worcester and Bedford/Curzon Cinema, Liverpool, a 1964 Walker from Uppingham School Chapel - and several more! The project was begun in 1959 by Ronald Oliver as a two-manual and Nicholson completed it in 1966 with the addition of a Positif division using Stinkens pipework. A Tuba was added in the current rebuild.
Nevertheless, the sound of the present instrument gives no indication of the pipework's various origins: all is beautifully balanced and speaks powerfully from a rear gallery that also houses the (detached) console. Do go and hear it if you get the opportunity!