The Building
The Organs
Music is an integral component of life at St Marylebone. Every day, students from the neighbouring Royal Academy of Music fill the nave of the parish church with organ music as they practice and hone their skills on this unique instrument. St Marylebone has a strong musical tradition which is continued today at Sunday Services, regular concerts, and by our professional choir. Visit the Music Page to find out more about music in St Marylebone.
The organs of the parish church are, of course, a key part of this musical tradition. The church building has two organs: the 2020 Škrabl chamber organ and the 1987 Rieger Organ. The Reiger organ, played almost daily since its installation 37 years ago, now needs a major – and expensive – overhaul. For further information about the organ restoration appeal and support, please visit our Donate page.
The 2020 Škrabl Instrument
The Škrabl chamber organ was commissioned in 2021 and is a substantial two-manual instrument with a detachable pedal board.
The 1987 Rieger Instrument
The 1987 Rieger Instrument in St Marylebone Parish Church is the product of a unique collaboration between the Parish church and the Royal Academy of Music, whose premises are situated across the road from St Marylebone.
The Academy, who contributed to half of the cost of the instrument have a fifty year licence to use the organ for practice and teaching during term time. The installation of the instrument was overseen by the then Director of Music Catherine Ennis and the consultant Geraint Jones.
It is designed in such a way as to play convincingly the widest possible variety of organ repertory, complete with appropriate playing aids to facilitate this. It has mechanical key action allowing the player precise control of the musical details of his/her performance and has a great versatility due to the clever disposition of stops within the framework of the ‘Werkprinzip’ design where each department is housed in a specific part of the case. The instrument is highly successful in leading congregational singing due to its position at the liturgical west of the church and the direct way in which it speaks into the building.
The clarity in the voicing on the Great and Rückpositiv is complemented by the more romantic Swell organ, which gives the instrument great versatility in accompanying the church’s professional choir as well as meeting the demands placed on the instrument in its various uses as a teaching, recital and liturgical instrument. This fine organ gives to both player and listener a truly musical experience.
If you are interested in the specifications of these fine instruments, please see the below links.