Biographical Dictionary of the Organ | Building Details | Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Knightsbridge, Westminster, London, England

Organ Biography > Places and Organs > England > London > Westminster > Royal Albert Hall

Details of Royal Albert Hall, Kensington Gore, Knightsbridge, Westminster, London, England

(Kensington Gore, Knightsbridge)

1869

Organ History
1871	Built by Willis
Status
Rebuilt
Sources
“Dictionary of Organs and Organists” - H. Logan & Co., 1912, Bournemouth
“Dictionary of Organs and Organists” - George Mate & Son, 1921
The Musical Times 844
The Musical Times 941
Hopkins & Rimbault - “The Organ: Its History and Construction - A Comprehensive Treatise on the Structure and Capabilities of the Organ” - Robert Cocks & Co., 1877, London

Manuals	Stops	Ranks	Couplers	Action
4	116	116	13	-

I. Choir ( CC-c4 61 notes)
1.	Violone	16'
2.	Viol di Gamba	8'
3.	Dulciana	8'
4.	Lieblich Gedact	8'
5.	Open Diapason	8'
6.	Vox Angelica	8'
7.	Principal	4'
8.	Gemshorn	4'
9.	Lieblich Flote	4'
10.	Celestiana	4'
11.	Flageolet	2'
12.	Piccolo Harmonique	2'
13.	Super Octave	2'
14.	Mixture	III
15.	Corni di Bassetto	16'
16.	Clarionet	8'
17.	Cor Anglais	8'
18.	Oboe	8'
19.	Trompette harmonique	8'
20.	Clarion	4'
i	Swell to Choir
ii	Solo to Choir
II. Great ( CC-c4 61 notes)
21.	Violone	16'
22.	Bourdon	16'
23.	Flute conique	16'
24.	Contra Gamba	16'
25.	Open Diapason I	8'
26.	Open Diapason II	8'
27.	Viol di Gamba	8'
28.	Flute á Pavilion	8'
29.	Claribel	8'
30.	Flute Harmonique	8'
31.	Quint	5 ¹/₃'
32.	Viola	4'
33.	Octave	4'
34.	Flute Octaviante	4'
35.	Quinte Octaviante	2 ²/₃'
36.	Super Octave	2'
37.	Piccolo	2'
38.	Sesquialtera	V
39.	Mixture	V
40.	Contra Posaune	16'
41.	Posaune	8'
42.	Tromba	8'
43.	Trompette Harmonique	8'
44.	Clarion Harmonique	4'
45.	Clarion	4'
iii	Solo to Great
iv	Swell to Great
v	Choir to Great
III. Swell ( CC-c4 61 notes)
46.	Double Diapason	16'
47.	Bourdon	16'
48.	Open Diapason	8'
49.	Flutes à Cheminées	8'
50.	Salicional	8'
51.	Claribel Flute	8'
52.	Viol di Gamba	8'
53.	Quint	5 ¹/₃'
54.	Viola	4'
55.	Principal	4'
56.	Flute Harmonique	4'
57.	Quinte Octaviante	2 ²/₃'
58.	Super-octave	2'
59.	Piccolo Harmonique	2'
60.	Fourniture	V
61.	Mixture	V
62.	Baryton	16'
63.	Contra Oboe	16'
64.	Contra Posaune	16'
65.	Voix Humaine	8'
66.	Oboe	8'
67.	Cornopean	8'
68.	Clarion	4'
69.	Tuba Major	8'
70.	Tuba	4'
vi	Sub-octave
vii	Super-octave
IV. Solo ( CC-c4 61 notes)
71.	Contra Basso	16'
72.	Flute à Pavillon	8'
73.	Viol d’Amore	8'
74.	Flute Harmonique	8'
75.	Claribel Flute	8'
76.	Voix Celeste	8'
77.	Flute Traversère	4'
78.	Concert Flute	4'
79.	Piccolo Harmonique	2'
80.	Cymbale I
81.	Cymbale II
82.	Cymbale III
83.	Corno di Bassetto	16'
84.	Bombardon	16'
85.	Clarionet	8'
86.	Bassoon	8'
87.	French Horn	8'
88.	Oboe	8'
89.	Ophicleide	8'
90.	Trombone	8'
91.	Tuba Mirabilis	8'
92.	Tuba Clarion	4'
viii	Sub-octave
ix	Super-octave
Pedal ( CCC-g 32 notes)
93.	Double Open Diapason	32'
94.	Double Open Diapason	32'
95.	Contra Violone	32'
96.	Open Diapason I	16'
97.	Open Diapason II	16'
98.	Open Diapason I	16'
99.	Open Diapason II	16'
100.	Open Diapason III	16'
101.	Spare		prepared
102.	Spare		prepared
103.	Spare		prepared
104.	Violone	16'
105.	Bourdon	16'
106.	Great Quint	10 ²/₃'
107.	Spare		prepared
108.	Spare		prepared
109.	Octave	8'
110.	Violoncello	8'
111.	Quint	5 ¹/₃'
112.	Super-octave	4'
113.	Furniture	V
114.	Mixture	III
115.	Contra Posaune	32'
116.	Contra Fagotto	16'
117.	Bombarde	16'
118.	Ophicleide	16'
119.	Trombone	16'
120.	Fagotto	8'
121.	Clarion	8'
x	Solo to Pedal
xi	Swell to Pedal
xii	Great to Pedal
xiii	Choir to Pedal

1924

Organ History
1924	Rebuilt & enlarged by Harrison
Status
Rebuilt
Sources
“Dictionary of Organs and Organists” - George Mate & Son, 1921
The Musical Times 979

Manuals	Stops	Ranks	Couplers	Action
4	145	128	21	EP

I. Choir & Orchestral ( CC-c4 61 notes)
Orchestral (Electro-pneumatic)
1.	Quintatön	16'	wood, metal.
2.	Contra Viole	16'	Units [CE:VI] metal.
3.	Harmonic Flute	8'	metal.
4.	Violoncello	8'	metal.
5.	Viole d’Orchestre I	8'	metal.
6.	Viole d’Orchestre II	8'	metal.
7.	Viole Sourdine	8'	metal.
8.	Viole Célestes	II (8')	metal.
9.	Concert Flute	4'	metal.
10.	Viole Octaviante	4'	metal.
11.	Harmonic Piccolo	2'	metal.
12.	Cornet de Violes	V [12-15-17-19-22]	metal.
13.	Double Clarinet	16'	Units [CE:CL] metal.
14.	Clarionet	8'	metal.
15.	Orchestral Oboe	8'	metal.
16.	Cor Anglais	8'	metal.
17.	Tremulant
i	Super-Octave
ii	Unison Off
iii	Sub-Octave
18.	Double Salicional	16'	Units [CU:SL] metal.
Choir (Electro-pneumatic)
19.	Open Diapason	8'	metal.
20.	Lieblich Gedact	8'	metal.
21.	Viol di Gamba	8'	metal.
22.	Dulciana	8'	metal.
23.	Gemshorn	4'	metal.
24.	Lieblich Flote	4'	metal.
25.	Flageolet	2'	metal.
26.	Mixture	III [12-19-22]	metal.
27.	Trompet	8'	metal.
28.	Clarion	4'	metal.
iv	Orchestral on Solo
v	Swell to Choir
vi	Solo to Choir
II. Great (Electro-pneumatic CC-c4 61 notes)
29.	Contra Violone	32'	Units [GT:VI] metal.
30.	Double Open Diapason	16'	metal.
31.	Contra Gamba	16'	metal.
32.	Bourdon	16'	wood, metal.
33.	Double Claribel Flute	16'	wood.
34.	Open Diapason I	8'	metal.
35.	Open Diapason II	8'	metal.
36.	Open Diapason III	8'	metal.
37.	Open Diapason IV	8'	metal.
38.	Open Diapason V	8'	metal.
39.	Geigen	8'	metal.
40.	Viol da Gamba	8'	metal.
41.	Hohl Flute	8'	wood.
42.	Flute Harmonique	8'	metal.
43.	Quint	5 ¹/₃'	metal.
44.	Octave	4'	metal.
45.	Principal	4'	metal.
46.	Viola	4'	metal.
47.	Harmonic Flute	4'	metal.
48.	Octave Quint	2 ²/₃'	metal.
49.	Super Octave	2'	metal.
50.	Fifteenth	2'	metal.
51.	Harmonics	VI [10-15-17-19-21-22]	metal.
52.	Mixture	V [8-12-15-19-22]	metal.
53.	Cymbale	VII [19-22-26-29-31-33-36]	metal.
54.	Contra Tromba	16'	metal.
55.	Tromba	8'	metal.
56.	Posaune	8'	metal.
57.	Harmonic Trumpet	8'	metal.
58.	Harmonic Clarion	4'	metal.
vii	Reeds on Solo
viii	Solo to Great
ix	Swell to Great
x	Choir to Great
III. Swell (Electro-pneumatic CC-c4 61 notes)
59.	Double Open Diapason	16'	metal.
60.	Bourdon	16'	wood, metal.
61.	Open Diapason	8'	metal.
62.	Viol di Gamba	8'	metal.
63.	Salicional	8'	metal.
64.	Vox Angelica	8'	metal.
65.	Flûte à Cheminée	8'	metal.
66.	Claribel Flute	8'	wood, metal.
67.	Principal	4'	metal.
68.	Viola	4'	metal.
69.	Harmonique Flute	4'	metal.
70.	Octave Quint	2 ²/₃'	metal.
71.	Super Octave	2'	metal.
72.	Harmonic Piccolo	2'	metal.
73.	Mixture	V [8-12-15-19-22]	metal.
74.	Fourniture	V [15-19-22-26-29]	metal.
75.	Contra Oboe	16'	metal.
76.	Baryton	16'	metal.
77.	Oboe	8'	metal.
78.	Vox Humana	8'	metal.
79.	Tremulant
80.	Double Trumpet	16'	metal.
81.	Trumpet	8'	metal.
82.	Clarion	4'	metal.
83.	Tuba	8'	metal.
84.	Tuba Clarion	4'	metal.
xi	Super-Octave
xii	Sub-Octave
xiii	Solo to Swell
IV. Solo ( CC-c4 61 notes)
Solo
85.	Contra Basso	16'	wood, metal.
86.	Flute à Pavillon	8'	metal.
87.	Viol d’Amore	8'	metal.
88.	Doppel Flute	8'	wood.
89.	Harmonic Claribel Flute	8'	wood.
90.	Unda Maris	II (8')	metal.
91.	Wald Flute	4'	wood.
92.	Flauto Traverso	4'	metal.
93.	Piccolo Traverso	2'	metal.
94.	Double Bassoon	16'	metal.
95.	Corno di Bassetto	8'	metal.
96.	Hautboy	8'	metal.
97.	Bassoon	8'	metal.
98.	Double Horn	16'	metal.
99.	French Horn	8'	metal.
100.	Carillons
101.	Tubular Bells
102.	Tremulant
Bombard Enclosed (Electro-pneumatic)
103.	Bombardon	16'	metal.
104.	Tuba	8'	metal.
105.	Orchestral Trumpet	8'	metal.
106.	Cornopean	8'	metal.
107.	Quint Trumpet	5 ¹/₃'	metal.
108.	Orchestral Clarion	4'	metal.
109.	Sesquialtera	V [12-15-17-19-22]	metal.
Bombard Unenclosed (Electro-pneumatic)
110.	Contra Tuba	16'	metal.
111.	Tuba Mirabilis	8'	metal.
112.	Tuba Clarion	4'	metal.
xiv	Super-Octave
xv	Unison Off
xvi	Sub-Octave
xvii	Tubas on Choir
Pedal ( CCC-g 32 notes)
113.	Acoustic Bass	64'	Units [PD:W1] wood.
114.	Double Open Wood	32'	Units [PD:W1] wood.
115.	Double Diapason	32'	Units [PD:M1] metal.
116.	Contra Violone	32'	Units [GT:VI] metal.
117.	Double Quint	21 ¹/₃'	Units [PD:M1] metal.
118.	Open Wood I	16'	Units [PD:W2] wood.
119.	Open Wood II	16'	Units [PD:W1] wood.
120.	Open Diapason I	16'	Units [PD:M2] metal.
121.	Open Diapason II	16'	Units [PD:M1] metal.
122.	Violone	16'
123.	Sub-Bass	16'
124.	Salicional	16'	Units [CU:SL] metal.
125.	Viole	16'	Units [CE:VI] metal.
126.	Quint	10 ²/₃'
127.	Octave Wood	8'	Units [PD:W2] wood.
128.	Principal	8'	Units [PD:M2] metal.
129.	Violoncello	8'
130.	Flute	8'
131.	Octave Quint	5 ¹/₃'
132.	Super-octave	4'
133.	Harmonics	VII [10-12-15-17-19-21-22]
134.	Mixture	V [15-19-22-26-29]	Units [SO:MX] metal.
135.	Double Trombone	32'	Units [SW:TB] wood.
136.	Bombarde	16'
137.	Trombone	32'	Units [SW:TB] wood.
138.	Fagotto	16'
139.	Trumpet	16'	Units [SW:TP] metal.
140.	Clarinet	16'	Units [CE:CL] metal.
141.	Bassoon	16'	Units [SO:BS] metal.
142.	Quint Trombone	10 ²/₃'
143.	Clarion	8'
144.	Drums
xviii	Solo to Pedal
xix	Swell to Pedal
xx	Great to Pedal
xxi	Choir to Pedal

Unit	Division	Rank	Footage	I. Choir & Orchestral	II. Great	Pedal
CE:CL	Choir Enclosed	Clarinet	16	16		16
CE:VI	Choir Enclosed	Viole	16	16		16
CU:SL	Choir Unenclosed	Salicional	16	16		16
GT:VI	Great	Violone	32		32	32
PD:M2	Pedal	Open Metal II	16			16, 8
PD:M1	Pedal	Open Metal I	32			32, 16, 21 ¹/₃
PD:W2	Pedal	Open Wood II	16			16, 8
PD:W1	Pedal	Open Wood I	32			64, 32, 16
PD:OC	Pedal	Ophicleide	32
SO:BS	Solo	Bassoon	16			16
SO:MX	Solo	Mixture				M
SW:TP	Swell	Trumpet	16			16
SW:TB	Swell	Trombone	32			32

List of Organists
1871	W. T. Best (1826-1897)
1883-88	George Sampson (1861-1949)
1888-1918	Churchill Sibley (1858-1938)
1895-1922	Henry Balfour (1859-1946)
	Wilfrid Arthur William Davies (1881-1940)
1934	George Thalben-Ball (1896-1987)

List of Other Organists
1873-88	John Stainer (1840-1901)
	H. C. Tonking (1863-1926)
	Percy Rendell (1883-1942)