ORGAN OF THE MONTH 85: July 2009
New
Road Methodist, Stourbridge |
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Click on the thumbnail to obtain a full-size image |
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Our mini-series of Stourbridge organs, arising from the BOA's visit earlier this year, ends with this Victorian three-manual instrument in the Methodist church adjacent to the Roman Catholic church featured last month.
An early (pre-Hill) Norman & Beard, the instrument was moved to Stourbridge in 1956 by Nicholson & Co, and underwent modifications in 1966 by J W Walker & Sons. The 13-rank Swell Organ contains a Keraulophon, described by Herbert & John Norman in The Organ Today (1980) as "an early attempt at string voicing before the use of beards had been invented": the tone is in fact rather horn-like due to the presence of a circular hole near the top of the resonator.
Michael Carless (talking to Paul Carr in the left photo) has been Organist & Choirmaster here for 45 years.