Decorated church organ pipes

It has long been the fashion for the organ pipes in churches to be painted. A visit to major and minor churches is sure to present an opportunity to admire this form of decoration. Most examples will be from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, but more recent examples may be seen too. The examples here are in Gloucester Cathedral and appear to use the acanthus leaf as the basis for the design. The colours are brighter than is often the case.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Nikon Z 5

En chamade organ pipes

The organ in the Priory Church of St Mary in Usk was once the organ of Llandaff Cathedral where it was installed in 1861. When it was deemed inadequate for that building it was sold to Usk church and erected there in 1900. It was made by the firm of Gray and Davison and features some en chamade pipes i.e. pipes that face forwards rather than vertically. This development in organ design dates from the early 1700s and usually involves the pipes that sound as reeds. The horizontal mounting makes them sond louder and they are frequently chosen for fanfares, solos and trumpet-like passages. The organ appears squeezed into the church, but the tightness of fit notwithstanding, I'm told it makes a splendid sound and is much sought after by organists as an instrument to play.

photos © T. Boughen     Camera: Lumix FZ1000 2

Organ, Worcester Cathedral

The thunderous sound of a large organ in a cathedral stirs the body and, perhaps, the soul. Sometimes it exhibits a quality that almost seems it could bring the building down. I've never heard this new organ in Worcester Cathedral. However, the building is sufficiently interesting that I envisage making several visits and so I am hopeful of one day experiencing it. The design of the pipes and case in its setting of columns, arches and painted vault in quite sumptuous.

photo © T. Boughen     Camera: Sony DSC-RX100