1 March 1998
The Nave Computing Organ (installed 1988)
The organ at present installed in the Nave of Worcester Cathedral is a Bradford Computing Organ built especially for the Cathedral by The Bradford Computing Organ Company Ltd. The Dean and Chapter of the Cathedral decided to commission a computing organ for the Nave after exhaustive trials throughout the early months of 1988. In all respects the new organ has acquitted itself well and appears to have exceeded the expectations of all who are responsible for the music at Worcester. It appears to have overcome the severe acoustical problem within the Cathedral and has proved itself to be a perfect accompanimental instrument for the wide range of musical events that are performed at Worcester.
The Bradford Computing System is a unique system developed by Dr. Peter Comerford of the Computing Department at Bradford University. It is an entirely British invention and is unique in that it computes in 'real time' the sound of pipes in speech which have been stored in the computer's memory as a table of numbers. The computer recalls not only the steady sound of a pipe playing but also the transient or build up sounds and translates all this into an audio signal with enormous accuracy. Speakers have been placed in the Clerestory where they are heard better and are completely out of sight.
The organ has ultimate flexibility. It can be played from any position within the Nave and the character too can be changed at will. It can become a continuo organ playable in a West End position for chamber music and most especially for the Three Choirs Festival. It can be used as a large recital organ and also for general Nave congregational accompaniment - its most important function.
A second Bradford Computing Organ was installed in the Choir School Song Room in 1995.
Unfortunately, The Bradford Computing Organ Company Ltd has now ceased trading.
Reproduced (without permission) from the Dean and Chapter's announcement leaflet, included in the revised (in 1996) booklet The Organs of Worcester Cathedral by Vernon Butcher, available from the Cathedral Bookshop price £1.50.
