Norwich Cathedral recently completed a major project to rebuild its historic organ, with a cost of £1.8 million. The Bishop of Norwich blessed the organ during a special service to mark the conclusion of the project. The organ, which is one of the largest of its kind in the country, was returned to the Cathedral by organ experts Harrison and Harrison, who completed the ambitious project. The event was celebrated with a series of Organ Reborn! concerts, culminating in a performance by internationally-renowned concert organist Thomas Trotter to a 1,000-strong audience. The Cathedral’s Master of Music expressed excitement for the return of the organ and hopes for the instrument to touch the lives of people across the community.
The Dean of Norwich expressed gratitude to all who supported the project and emphasized the national importance of the instrument, which will play a pivotal role in the Cathedral’s services and events. The month-long festivities included performances by the Norwich Cathedral Chamber Choir, the BBC Singers, and the Cathedral’s organist David Dunnett. The completion of the project marked the end of a decade-long planning and fundraising effort and represented the instrument’s first complete overhaul since it was rebuilt in 1942 after a fire destroyed part of it in April 1938. Practical work on the project began in May 2022 and included removing most of the organ’s several thousand pipes for further work by organ specialists Harrison and Harrison in Durham.
The rebuild also involved re-gilding the show pipes, crown, and star that decorate the organ’s exterior. Most of the organ’s working pipes were returned to the Cathedral in early 2023 and were meticulously tuned by Harrison and Harrison in situ from May to July. The extensive project was a significant accomplishment and marked an exciting new chapter in the musical life of the Cathedral. The instrument is expected to bring high-quality music and opportunities to people of all ages and will continue to inspire and support the thousands of individuals who visit the Cathedral each year.
