Edited by Philip Bowcock & Peter Marr The 1864 "Father Henry Willis" organ of four manuals built for Reading Town Hall in England is a great survival and world destination for organ people who want to experience a real, large, English Romantic organ, entirely restored as built. The organ is also a pluperfect example of the municipal organ that flourished in England throughout the Victorian and Edwardian eras, leading to the sometimes gargantuan examples which were built in the United States during the first third of the 20th century, culminating in the largest organ in the world at Atlantic City. This book produced by the Berkshire Organists’ Association following the 1999 restoration relates the entire history of the organ, provides all of its pipe scales and much other technical data, compiles major recital programs, and collects eleven essays (below). The book adds two new essays and updates three essays since its original publication in 1982, many illustrations, and contains 104 pages, softbound. Essays Martyn Reason: The history and architecture of Reading Town Hall Peter Marr: The history of the [Willis] organ at Reading Town Hall J. Eric Arnold: Henry Willis I, his life and work Nicholas Thistlethwaite: The instrument described (superbly) Gordon Spriggs: The organ case Peter Fellgett: The acoustics of the hall Michael Woodward: The full-blooded sound of organ and building Francis Jackson: The artistry of its builder Cecil Clutton: One of the greatest of all town hall organs Mark Venning: The 1999 Restoration Philip Bowcock: How it works |