Anglican Chaplaincy
in Malta & Gozo

 St Paul's - Organ

The Organists at St Paul's Pro-Cathedral:  
 Hon. Assistant Organist:
 HISTORY OF THE ORGAN

The first organ in St Paul's Pro-Cathedral, Valletta (which was consecrated in November 1844) was a rebuild by Gray and Davison of a late 17th century organ by "Father" Bernard Smith.  This organ was originally located in Chester Cathedral in England and was reputed to have been played by George F. Handel on his way to Dublin for the first performance of his “Messiah”.  This organ was rebuilt by the same firm in 1886, and then again by Goll of Lucerne, Switzerland, in 1905.

During 1949, the Pro-Cathedral underwent extensive refurbishment, including the re-orientation of the interior by 180 degrees.  A new chancel was constructed, incorporating the Altar, the War Memorial, the Bishop's throne, the choir and canon stalls and the case of the Father Smith organ.  At this time the whole organ was rebuilt by the firm Hill & Son & Norman & Beard.  The rebuild incorporates some of the pre-existing British and Swiss pipework.  The organ case survives intact from the previous instruments.
 
 ORGAN SPECIFICATION

The organ is presently located on the south side of the choir, with the detached organ console being situated in a gallery opposite on the north side.  The action is now electropneumatic.  The three manuals (Great, Swell, Choir) have a five-octave range, while the pedalboard is concave and radiating; it ranges two and a half octaves (to G).
PEDAL GREAT
Open Diapason 16 Bourdon 16
Bourdon 16 Open Diapason I  8
Viol Bass 16 Open Diapason II  8
Octave 8 Principal 4 
Bass Flute 8 Twelfth 2.2/3
Trombone 16 Fifteenth 2
SWELL Mixture III
Open Diapason 8 CHOIR
Rohr Gedeckt 8 Dulciana 8
Echo Viol 8 Lieblich Gedeckt 8
Voix Celestes 8 Gemshorn 4
Octave Geigen 8 Nazard 2.2/3
Fifteenth 2 Piccolo 2
Mixture III Orchestral Clarinet 8
Contra Oboe 16 Tromba 8
Trumpet 8
Swell Tremulant

Couplers

Swell to Pedal, Great to Pedal, Choir to Pedal, Great / Pedal pistons coupled,
Swell Sub Octave, Swell Octave, Swell Unison Off,
Swell to Great, Choir to Great,
Choir Sub Octave, Choir Octave, Choir Unison Off, Swell to Choir.

Accessories

Fixed combinations activated by thumb pistons:  4 Swell, 4 Great, 4 Choir,
Fixed combinations activated by toe pistons:  4 Swell, 4 Pedal,
Reversible thumb and toe pistons:  Swell to Great, Great to Pedal,
Expression pedals: Choir, Swell,
Cancellers: Pedal, Swell, Great, Choir.
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© Anglican Chaplaincy in Malta & Gozo
June  / 2008
designed + edited by Andy Scott