Restoration works are underway for the unique pipe organ housed in Fyvie Hall on the University of Westminster’s Regent Campus. The restored instrument will underpin a new era of musical performance at the University, providing access to music for all of its communities.
The instrument was made by the John Compton Organ Company Ltd in London in 1934. It had been installed in an enclosure behind oak panelling at the rear of Fyvie Hall, hidden from view, making visitors unaware of its existence.
Now it will get a new lease of life, thanks to the opportunity to repurpose a legacy from the estate of Ethel Mary Wood CBE, daughter of Quintin Hogg who was the founder of Regent Street Polytechnic, now the University of Westminster.
Outlining why the Fyvie Hall organ is such a unique musical treasure, Paul Hale, a professional organ consultant for the restoration project, recitalist and choral conductor, explained in the Organists’ Review magazine: “not very many Comptons remain unaltered, un-modernised, and in their original homes […] Hardly any have been so little played that their mechanism, wiring, blower and pipes can readily be restored to “as new” condition.
“And of these there is possibly not one with the “knee swell” device they fitted to the Fyvie Hall organ. All this makes the 1934 Fyvie Hall Compton a rare and precious survivor, an instrument which typifies its era in musical style, high quality of construction, high quality of materials, ingenuity of mechanism, excellence of engineering, its compact size.”
The £50,000 restoration project is set to be completed over the summer which will be followed by a series of events to mark the revival of this hidden treasure of Regent Campus, and to celebrate the life and work of Ethel Wood and the University’s musical heritage.
Professor Andrew Linn, Head of the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and Pro Vice-Chancellor for Research, whose brainchild the restoration project is, said: “The University of Westminster has a rich heritage of music-making and music research, and building on this, the restoration of the Fyvie Hall organ will no doubt open a new and exciting chapter in the musical life of the University. We are preparing a series of inspiring concerts and exhibitions to mark the completion of the restoration, so watch this space.”
The University is keen to involve its communities in the celebration and invites students and University colleagues to participate through music performance. A survey to gauge interest will be circulated soon.
Read the full article on the Fyvie Hall organ written by Paul Hale for the Organists’ Review magazine.
Learn about the University’s Music courses.
Learn more about Music research at the University.
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