ORGANS IN & AROUND CHESTERFIELD

THE REGAL CINEMA, CAVENDISH STREET
(later known as the ABC)

The organ was a three-manual seven-rank instrument by Compton, opened on 12 October 1936. The opening brochure contained the following description:

It is the most remarkable instrument of its kind in the world, providing every kind of music from the thrilling peal of a Cathedral organ to the colour and tone of a Symphony Orchestra or the rhythm of a modern Dance Band.

The seven ranks which produced this incredible array of sound were: Tibia Clausa, Diapason, Flute, Violoncello, Tuba, Muted Trumpet, Vox Humana.

In 1965 the organ was removed to St. Thomas's Church, Clifton, Manchester. The Vox Humana, traps, percussions and melotone were removed, and the pipes housed within a single swell chamber. It continues to give good service.

 

THE PICTURE HOUSE, HOLYWELL STREET
(later known as the Odeon, now called the Winding Wheel)

 

 

This ornately decorated cinema was opened in 1925 and housed a three-manual 'orchestral organ' by Jardine & Co. (Manchester). The photograph shows the drawstop console in its wooden case below the screen; the pipework spoke into the auditorium through a grille to the right of the proscenium arch.

1 ORCHESTRAL
    prepared for only
 
II SOLO
    16       Contra Flute             unenclosed
     8       Viol Major
     8       Orchestral Flute
     8       Vox Angelica
     4       Flute Harmonic
     8       Corno di Bassetto
     8       Vox Humana
 
III SWELL
     8       Flauto Amabile
     8       Viol d'Orchestre
     8       Viole Celeste
     4       Flute Douce
     2       Harmonic Piccolo
     8       Orchestral Horn
 
PEDAL
    16       Sub Bass
     8       Flute Bass
 
Effects:  Westminster Chimes, Fairy Chimes, Xylophone, Side Drum, Birds, Triangle,
          Sleigh Bells, Tom-Tom, Thunder, Cymbal & Gong & Drum
Couplers: 6 unison; 8ve, unison off & sub8ve to Swell, Solo and Orchestral.
Thumb pistons: 2 Solo & Pedal, 2 Swell
Toe pistons:  Solo to Pedal reversible.
Balanced pedals to Solo, Swell, Register Crescendo.
Compass: 61/30.
Tubular-pneumatic action.

This is an interesting and colourful stoplist, typical of the kind of instrument built for cinemas before unit instruments achieved dominance in the late 1920s.

The organ fell into disuse during the 1940s, and in 1956 was removed by Jardine for installation in a church in Manchester.

PICTURE CREDITS
Picture House Cinema, c.1930: anonymous photograph

SOURCES
Historical information about the cinemas: 'Mighty Music at the Movies' by Fred Turley (Sheffield, 1990).
Details about the Compton organ from the organist at St. Thomas, Clifton, Manchester, and courtesy of Ivor Buckingham.
The Jardine stoplist is taken from files formerly in the Organ Club Library, London.

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