PHI CD 174: The Hill Organ Eton College
Chapel English Organ Music Paul
Derrett
Edward Elgar: Imperial March. Arthur Goodhart: Impromptu
in A.
Charles Harford Lloyd: Andante Grazioso (Dialogue).
Hubert Parry: Chorale Fantasia on an Old English Tune.
Ralph Vaughan Williams: Prelude and Fugue in C minor. Thomas
Arne: Concerto in B flat .
Geoffrey Leeds: Elegy. Henry Ley: Jubilate. Edward Bairstow:
Sonata in E flat.
Michael Tippett: Preludio al Vespero di Monteverdi.
Christopher Steel: Fantasy on a Theme of Purcell.
Richard Popplewell: Aria: 'The time of the singing' Peter
Warlock: Capriol Suite.
The Organ
A new Hill organ was commissioned in 1869 to the design of Rev.
L.G. Hayne, then Precentor. He was an amateur organ-builder,
and his scheme was unrealistically ambitious. The first attempt
was unsuccessful, and the instrument was tidied up considerably
as soon as wiser counsels were able to prevail. In 1881 the whole
organ (except for some of the larger metal pipes) was sent back
to Hills in London where much of it was destroyed in a factory
fire. When the instrument eventually returned to Eton much of
it was (necessarily) brand new. This complete rebuilding of 1885
gave the instrument its present appearance: a monumental High-Victorian
case (designed by J.L.Pearson) which seeks to rival great European
cases from the 17th and 18th centuries. The key action remained
heavy, and there were other layout problems presented by the ancient
stone arch under which the organ stands. These were mostly solved
at a major rebuilding by Hill and Son in 1902. There used to
be many big Hill organs throughout England, but virtually all
have been radically rebuilt by other hands. Typical instruments
of similar size were to be found in Westminster Abbey, King's,
St. John's and Trinity Colleges in Cambridge, York Minster, Beverley
Minster and the cathedrals of Ely, Manchester, St.Albans, Lichfield,
Peterborough, Worcester, Ripon, St.Asaph and Wakefield. Of these,
Beverley, Lichfield and Eton are the sole survivors and only Eton
retains its original console and action. Here, an old-world
elegance and nobility in the choruses is matched by excellently
contrasted flutes, subtly varied strings and spanking reeds.
Some changes were made in 1939, 1955 and 1960, but in 1987 the
enlightened decision was taken to reverse these and restore the
whole instrument, tubular-pneumatic action included, to the design
of 1902 - leaving only a couple of important stop 'gains' which
had been made since that time. This work was carried out by Messrs
Mander & Son. This historic instrument is without doubt one
of the finest romantic organs in the world. Sadly, it can only
be enjoyed to the full between midnight and 5 a.m. due to the
proximity of Heathrow Airport!