Early English Organ Project
Introduction
Rediscovering the Sound of the Sixteenth-Century Organ
A dairy door in a 17th-century house in Wetheringsett, Suffolk, and a piece of decaying timber found behind old pews and lumber in the churchyard shed at Wingfield, Suffolk, have transformed our knowledge and understanding of the pre-Reformation English organ.The door and the timber proved to be the remains of two soundboards (or windchests) from English organs made before the Reformation. Using additional evidence from early organs in Southern France and Spain, from surviving music and the archives, it has been possible to build up a reliable scheme for these two organs - and to build them anew.
"One of the most exciting organ projects ever. Unique. These reconstructed instruments tell us so much about a long-lost tradition of organ-building, playing and composition."
Dr David Baker
"These two instruments are already transforming our understanding of organ playing, organ accompaniment and choral performance in 16th-century Britain."
Professor John Harper
"Completion of the project brings about a major advance in our knowledge of the history of music and its performance in Britain, and is therefore of major importance to scholars and musicians all over the world. These benefits are applicable across the board in vocal, choral and other instrumental music."
Sir David Lumsden
The organs can be heard on More sweet to hear: organs and voices in Tudor England, from OxRecs Digital (OXCD-101). Magnus Williamson performs on the organs and Geoffrey Webber directs the Choir of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge. The repertoire covers the pre- and post-Reformation Tudor periods. The CD costs £12.95 and may be ordered direct from OxRecs Digital at www.oxrecs.com
What can be found on the EEOP pages of this website
The following pages place the organs of the Early English Organ Project in context, give specific details of their construction, recount the history of the Project, and tell you where the instruments may be heard.
Contact
Since May 2005 the Wetheringsett and Wingfield organs have been owned by the College, which maintains a UK-wide programme of residencies. Such residencies allow organisations to use the instruments in liturgy, concert, and in educational work. For enquiries about using the instruments or about making financial donations towards their upkeep and promotion, and in support of EEOP residencies, please contact Andrew McCrea, Director of Academic Development at the Royal College of Organists: andrew.mccrea@rco.org.uk