St Martin-in-the-Fields Organ
Name/Title
St Martin-in-the-Fields Organ
Date Made
1990
Public Description (About this object)
St Martin-in-the-Fields organ, installed in 1990. The first mention of a church organ in St Martin in the Fields dates from the former church when in 1526 the churchwarden accounts records a payment to ‘M Watts for his Child to pley at Organs’. An organ was commissioned for the new 1726 church, commissioned from Schrider with a case designed by the building’s architect, James Gibbs. Handel played at the opening and so approved of the instrument he often returned to play Sunday voluntaries, as did other respected musicians of the day. The present organ is by J.W. Walker and Sons, commissioned in 1990 to meet the substantial demands required of the main instrument which supports a building renowned for it’s choral music – from intimate concerts and supporting world class choirs, to leading church services in hymns when the building is packed to capacity.
Object number
SMITF.H.175