3-008-913 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The International Exhibition: church organ built by Messrs. Forster and Andrews, of Hull, 1862. Organ '...suitable for a large church or music-hall...the metal used for the pipes almost throughout the organ is what is denominated "spotted metal" - a great desideratum in organ-building...there are many couplet stops, and many ingenious contrivances to enable the performer to produce in great variety beautiful orchestral effects. One of the chief characteristics of the choir organ is the grand ophicleide, or tuber. This finely-voiced stop is, on a heavy pressure of wind, 9in., and is very effective, either as a solo or in combination. When the whole of the stops are drawn the volume of tone is really grand and imposing. The softer registers require a more suitable building, their sound being entirely lost in so vast a place and amidst so much noise and movement. The bellows are blown by Joy's patent hydraulic engines, supplying wind to the respective portions of the organ at four different pressures, the heaviest of which is nine inches...there have been daily special performances at four p.m. by eminent organists, without a single intermission, and large numbers of delighted listeners congregate around the instrument day after day'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862.