York Minster organ to be played again after ‘once-in-a-century’ refurbishment

York Minster’s Grand Organ is to be played during worship for the first time in more than two years after a £2 million “once-in-a-century” refurbishment.

A prayer will be said for the organ during the cathedral’s livestreamed Eucharist service on Sunday morning before it is played in a service for the first time since 2018.

The instrument, which dates from the early 1830s and is one of the largest cathedral organs in the UK, will then be played at services throughout Lent before it is dedicated by the Archbishop of York, the Most Rev Stephen Cottrell, at Evensong on Easter Sunday.

The organ, including nearly all of its 5,000-plus pipes, was dismantled after it was last played in October 2018.

It was taken to specialists for cleaning, repair and replacement in what the Minster described as a “once-in-a-century” operation.

The work has included bringing the majority of the organ’s 102 decorative case pipes back into use, which have been silent since the last major refurbishment in 1903.

Robert Sharpe, York Minster’s director of music, said: “We’re delighted to be able to bring the Grand Organ back into regular use at the heart of worship at the cathedral.

“It will be a gentle return in March due to the solemnity of the season of Lent, but building to a celebration on Easter Day when the organ will be dedicated by the Archbishop of York.

“The refurbishment preserves the unique sound of the Minster’s organ whilst renewing its mechanism.

“Work has included bringing many of the 102 case pipes which have been silent since 1903 back into use and restoring the grander, imposing qualities of the instrument which were altered during work in the 1960s.”

Refurbishment of the organ, which weighs approximately 20,000kg, has been completed by Durham-based specialists Harrison and Harrison.

Between November last year and February, experts worked to “voice” the organ, a process which involves making sure the thousands of pipes play the correct note, pitch and volume.

Mr Sharpe said: “Organ music has played a central role in worship at York Minster for nearly 1,000 years and we hope this project will help ensure that tradition continues throughout the 21st century and beyond.”