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The Hill organ in Eton College Chapel was built in 1885, re-using a little earlier pipework - notably the 32' basses which J L Pearson cleverly incorporated into his magnificent new double case. The lavish decoration was by Clayton and Bell.

The instrument was rebuilt by Hill, with new soundboards and action, in 1902, and was in every way typical of the finest of the firm's output. Modifications during the following 60 years were aimed first at increasing the smoothness and power, and later the brightness and clarity, of this essentially Romantic organ. The result was confusion, both mechanically and tonally, and the recent reconstruction has centred around reversing the changes made since 1902, and accepting the instrument's original weaknesses along with its many strengths.

The pneumatic action has been restored and completely re-tubed - over five miles of new lead tubing being used. The Choir Organ was returned to its own case, and much of the Pedal Organ was given its own slider soundboard. Tonal changes made in recent years were reversed, although the 32' reed, ingeniously wedged in 50 years ago, was retained. The case-fronts were magnificently restored by Anna Plowden.

SPECIFICATION
GREAT ORGAN
     SWELL ORGAN
 
Double Open Diapason 16 Double Diapason 16
Open Diapason I 8 Open Diapason 8
Open Diapason II 8 Stopped Diapason 8
Stopped Diapason 8 Salicional 8
Principal 4 Voix Celestes 8
Flute 2 Principal 4
Twelfth 2 2/3 Stopped Flute 4
Fifteenth 2 Fifteenth 2
Mixture III Mixture IV
Mixture II Contra Fagotto 16
Double Trumpet 16 Cornopean 8
Posaune 8 Hautbois 8
Clarion 4 Clarion 4


CHOIR ORGAN
 

SOLO ORGAN
 
Lieblich Gedeckt 8 Harmonic Flute 8
Gamba 8 Rohr Flote 8
Dulciana 8 Viola da Gamba 8
Gemshorn 4 Viola Celeste 8
Suabe Flute 4 Harmonic Flute 4
Flautina 2 Piccolo 2
Corno di Bassetto 8 Orchestral Clarinet 8
    Orchestral Oboe 8
    Vox Humana 8
    Tuba 8

PEDAL ORGAN
 
 
 
Double Open Diapason 32    
Open Diapason Wood 16    
Violone 16    
Bourdon 16    
Principal 8    
Bass Flute 8    
Fifteenth 4    
Mixture III    
Contra Trombone 32    
Trombone 16    
Trumpet 8    

Project Leader Ian Bell
Technical Design Ian Bell, Stephen Bicknell
Construction Harry Austin, Terry Hobart (Workshop Foremen)
Site Assembly Mike Smith (Team Leader)
Voicing David Frostick (Team Leader)
Site Finishing David Frostick (Team Leader), Michael Blighton,
John Mander
Consultant Revd Dr Nicholas Thistlethwaite
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