Purists might shudder at the new vogue for including LED fairylights in organ rebuilds, but I think they are very much in the tradition of the confident Victorian organ builder, determined to uphold civic pride by including every gizmo going. LEDs are quite clever and discreet – I don’t think you could accuse them of making a fine instrument look like a downmarket fairground attraction, though you may disagree. (They don’t have to be on all the time, of course.)
I have Gerard Brooks to thank for sending me pictures of the Methodist Central Hall organ in various lighting moods, after its rebuild in 2011 – here it is all dressed up in blue.
picture: The Harrison & Harrison 2010/11 rebuild of the original Hill & Son 1912 organ at Methodist Central Hall, in Westminster, London
