Navigation

The History of the Organs of Sheffield Cathedral

At the suggestion of Francis Jackson, Organist at York Minster, at the time, the organ in Sheffield Cathedral was built and installed by N. P. Mander Ltd of London.

Dr. Jackson gave the opening recital on 30th April 1966. The organ at the time lacked a Nave Division. The Cathedral Organist, Graham Matthews, gave a recital on 14th October 1969 to mark the addition of the Nave Division. The organ contains some pipe-work from an 1877 Father Willis organ, originally in St Paul's Church, Bow Common, London. It is of interest that the prospect pipes of the Nave Division are of pure tin.

As with so many English organs, this particular instrument represented a compromise and after many years of excessive use it was thought in 1997 that major work would need to be carried out to keep the instrument in working order. For a number of years the condition of the 1966 Mander organ had been deteriorating, and it became clear in 1998 that the organ could not continue to be used in that condition. The only acceptable way forward was to replace it with a new pipe organ.

The digital organ has recently undergone significant modification by Phoenix Organs. This work is designed to take us through the next few years in anticipation of the commissioning of a first-class pipe organ for the Cathedral and City. The work has enhanced the instrument’s capabilities and overall tonal scheme, and has included the addition of new stops and accessories.

For details of the organ specification please click here.

Navigation

Organ specification

The History of the Organs of Sheffield Cathedral