May 2nd. Visit to new Dobson Organ at Merton College and The Oratory, Oxford

Apart from one or two, the photos were taken by Philip Wells whom we thank very much.

On Saturday May 2nd, members of the GOA met up in Merton College, Oxford. We were greeted by Ben Nicholas who told us all about the design of the new Dobson Organ and how the case reflected and enhanced the arches, decor and floor of the chapel. Ben then played us two pieces, the first Bach’s Prelude and Fugue in C (The 9/8 version) and an arrangement of Debussy’s Ballet from his Petite Suite.

We then had the rest of the morning to enjoy the organ and there were many fine performances of music by Bach, Elgar, Dupré, Whitlock and Vierne.

Merton College Chapel
The University of Oxford
Oxford, England

Opus 91, 2013

GREAT – II
16′		Bourdon
8′		Open Diapason I
8′		Open Diapason II
8′		Harmonic Flute
8′		Chimney Flute
4′		Principal
4′		Spire Flute
2-2/3′		Nazard
2′		Fifteenth
2′		Recorder
1-3/5′		Tierce
IV		Mixture 19.22.26.29
8′		Trumpet
		Tremulant
		Swell to Great
		Choir to Great
SWELL – III (enclosed)
8′		Open Diapason
8′		Lieblich Gedeckt
8′		Salicional
8′		Voix Celeste (FF)
4′		Principal
4′		Nason Flute
2′		Fifteenth
IV		Mixture 15.19.22.26
16′		Double Trumpet
8′		Trumpet
8′		Hautboy
8′		Vox Humana
4′		Clarion
		Tremulant
CHOIR – I (enclosed)
8′		Geigen Diapason
8′		Geigen Celeste (FF)
8′		Gedeckt
4′		Gemshorn
4′		Open Flute
2′		Doublet
II		Sesquialtera 12.17
III		Mixture 26.29.33
8′		Corno di Bassetto
		Tremulant
8′		Major Trumpet
		Swell to Choir
PEDAL
16′		Open Diapason
16′		Subbass
16′		Bourdon (Great)
8′		Principal
8′		Bass Flute
4′		Fifteenth
16′		Trombone
8′		Trumpet
		Great to Pedal
		Swell to Pedal
		Choir to Pedal
		Zimbelstern
		Great & Pedal Pistons Coupled
		Generals on Swell Toe Pistons

Case of American white oak
Attached console with drawknobs in vertical jambs
Mechanical key action, electric stop action
256 level combination action

After an enjoyable lunch at the Royal Oak in Woodstock Road we crossed the  road and visited the Oxford Oratory where the Copley Organ is in the French style.

The Oratory Organ. 1998- 2004  Matthew Copley
Constructed using new and used parts;

designed tonally to play as much of the repertoire as possible but with accent on the accompaniment of the Liturgy;

Department and Stop list