Our Lady of Lourdes, Wanstead
Inaugural recital by Geoffrey Morgan on Friday 4th March 2011
Click here to download a copy of the recital booklet.
When the existing organ showed signs of terminal wear and tear, the parish launched a ‘new organ’ appeal to
raise funds through events and donations and in December 2010, the new ‘Robin Jennings’ organ was
installed.
Our Lady of Lourdes is proud of its strong musical heritage and the organ is recognised as the prime
instrument of worship. For over 80 years music has enhanced the liturgical life of the Church and choirs sing
regularly at services every week. Roderick Sime, Director of Music at the Church is delighted with the new
organ: “it’s a fantastic and wonderful challenge to work with such a fine instrument. Not only does the
organ look and sound beautiful – it will certainly help develop the musical life of the Church and we look
forward to sharing many events with the local community.”
The organ has been built specially for the Church by master craftsman Robin Jennings, who is one of the few
makers in Europe specialising in custom built chamber organs. Previous commissions have included
instruments for St Paul’s Cathedral, La Scala opera house in Milan and the Academy of Performing Arts in
Hong Kong. The organ for Our Lady of Lourdes is his largest yet with 18 stops. Robin worked in association
with David Frostick, a leading international voicer and organ advisor specialising in English reeds and
Geoffrey MacMahon, designer. All three had previously worked for London Organ Builders N.P. Mander Ltd.
About the organ
Great
Pedal
Open Diapason
8
Bourdon
16
Stopped Diapason
8
Principal
8
Principal
4
Fagotto
16
Chimney Flute
4
Trumpet
8
Fifteenth
2
Mixture
III
Swell
Couplers
Open Flute
8
Swell to Great
Gamba
8
Swell to Pedal
Celeste
8
Great to Pedal
Principal
4
Fifteenth
2
Sesquialtera
II
Contra Fagotto
16
Trumpet
8
Mechanical action throughout
Built by Robin Jennings
Designed by Geoffrey MacMahon
Voiced by David Frostick
Photos by Roderick Sime.