The original scheme was drawn up in 1905. Work on the organ was started in 1923 by the Liverpool firm of Henry Willis. The Organ was completed in 1926.
The Organ sits in two cases on opposite sides of the choir.
There are seven manual divisions. The Great, Solo and Bombarde occupy the South case; The Swell, Choir and Positif occupy the North case; The Corona organ is situated on the Corona Gallery, over 100 ft above ground level. The enclosed section of the pedal organ is situated on the North side, with the rest of the pedal section on both sides.
There are two 5 manual consoles, one in a gallery below the North case, and one mobile console on the ground.
In 1958-60, a complete overhaul of the Organ took place, including major changes to the Choir Organ, and the installation of humidifiers. Without these, the Organ would dry out, the wood would crack, and all sorts of problems would arise. In 1965, a mobile console of 2 manuals was built for accompanying small services, held in the central space. This was all done by Henry Willis Jr.
The original 2 manual Mobile Console.
1977 saw a general overhaul carried out by Harrison and Harrison. In 1989 (with the Organ now being in the care of David Wells) the 2 manual mobile console was replaced with a full 5 manual console. The full resources of the Organ can be controlled from both consoles.
The mobile console is exactly the same as the console in the Organ Loft. The only minor difference is that the console in the loft has a camera and monitor, so the player can see the conductor. The mobile console can be positioned in such a way that this is not necessary on the ground.
The 5 manual mobile console.
(Pre 2011)
1997 saw the installation of a new solo reed stop called the 'Trompette Militaire'. It is situated some 100 ft or more above ground level, on what is called the Corona Gallery. The Corona Gallery 'crowns' the top of the central space of the Cathedral, and is an awesome sight both from the floor, and indeed the view from the gallery.
The Trompette Militaire was in the original spec of the Organ, and would have been built if it were not for enemy action during the 2nd World War.
It was part of the development plan for the Organ to build this stop at some point. The funding and wherewithal to do it became available through a kind donation by Dr. Alan Dronsfield, and the stop was installed in 1997.
In 2007, the central organ was made possible through a donation in memory of Eleanor Wright, Music Administrator at the Cathedral for many years. A musician in her own right, she sang with the Cathedral Occasional Singers and Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Choir.
The Central Space division consists of 5 speaking stops, and sits hidden in the South Central Callery above the Rankin Porch. At it's most effective, it is used to support hymn singing by large congregations.
