Beckareth-Organ

We are lucky to have a four manual pipe organ in our Victorian Chapel dedicated to St Michael and All Angels. This instrument was designed and built in 2006 by the Hamburg firm, Rudolf von Beckerath Orgelbau, after a comprehensive planning process led by Ian Crabbe (College Organist, 1996-2020). This was a particularly exciting new addition to the musical life of the College, and was only von Beckerath’s second organ to be built in the UK (the other being for Clare College, Cambridge).

In 2007, the new organ was inaugurated by Simon Preston, former Organist and Master of the Choristers, Westminster Abbey. The first solo recording of the organ was made by Margaret Phillips on Regent Records in 2013. In recent years, Nicholson & Co. of Malvern, have been commissioned to renovate the instrument. This work culminated in time for Christmas in 2025, and was celebrated in February 2026, in a concert of Francis Poulenc’s Organ Concerto and Charles-Marie Widor’s Organ Symphony No.5. These were performed by Michael Butterfield (College Organist, 2020-25) and the London Mozart Players, directed by Alex Arkwright (Head of Instrumental Studies, 1995-2026).

This work included:

• Revoicing and re-balancing of the Great principal chorus
• Revoicing and repairing of the Great and Swell reeds
• Revoicing and repairing of the Solo Trumpet 8’
• New pipework for the Solo Tuba 8’ and Clarinet 8’
• Repairing of the Swell and Solo expression engines

This work has provided a broader and more vibrant tonal palette to the organ, which has made it an ideal instrument for accompanying the renowned College Choirs in Chapel services and concerts, as well as providing a more extensive range of colours for organ solo repertoire.

This work has also been vital in supporting the congregational singing in Chapel with staff, pupils and visitors all noting the tonal alterations which have improved the warmth of the instrument without compromising the bright tonal qualities which von Beckerath are known for. This versatility allows organists to play all types of repertoires convincingly, whether it’s Byrd, Bach, Reger or Messiaen.

The Chapel organ is also used for all organ lessons which are taught by Edward Byrne (College Organist 2025-). This allows young organists to learn on one of the most exciting and unique instruments in the country, giving our pupils the opportunity to accompany choirs and congregational hymns. This platform is particularly ideal for pupils who have aspirations of becoming Oxbridge or cathedral organ scholars.