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For information about the next event, please see the concerts page.
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The Solo Reeds have recently been overhauled and will be restored to the organ in May 2019. Factory photographs here.
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"There is no doubt that here is the making of a world class instrument, as indeed it once was" - Colin Walsh, Organist Laureate, Lincoln Cathedral, 2007
Welcome to the Official website of The Alexandra Palace Organ Appeal.
The Alexandra Palace Organ Appeal exists to raise funds towards the ongoing restoration
of the Alexandra Palace Organ, which is generally recognised to be one of the masterpieces
of its original builder, 'Father' Henry Willis, and its rebuilder, Henry Willis III.
The aim of the current restoration is to return the organ to largely its 1929 state -
from which the legendary EMI recordings and sound samples date and
when it was heralded as "The Finest Concert Organ in Europe",
reversing the extensive damage caused during World War II and the great fire of 1980.
For more details see a brief summary of the instrument's chequered history, and also a more detailed account in Ivan Barwell's famed book, available here to view online for the first time.
For more recent events, we have a news page.
Despite the terrible vicissitudes the organ has suffered, a large proportion of it
has been restored and playing for the last 30 years. This is largely thanks to the
efforts of many energetic individuals representing The Appeal, The Palace and the
contracted Organbuilder, Henry Willis & Sons Ltd. The project has also been enthusiastically
supported by many Friends of the Appeal.
Because the restoration work is partially complete, The Appeal also exists to
support and promote the instrument as a concert organ in its current state and
to raise public awareness of its historical significance. Regular concerts are held. To hear what the instrument sounds like in concert, listen to the 2006 and 2004 live recordings.
We hope that you will find the information presented here interesting and that you
will wish to support our work by making a donation, attending a future concert, joining
the Friends of The Appeal, or following us on Facebook or Twitter using this links at the bottom of this page.
The Alexandra Palace Organ Appeal
All material on this site © Alexandra Palace Organ Appeal and supporters 1875-2014
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