The organ was built at the west end of the Cathedral in 1930 by Harrison and Harrison and incorporates pipework from previous instruments by Snetzler (1774) and J W Walker (1873). There are four manuals and pedals, 50 stops and all the usual playing aids. The instrument also possesses a digital recording and playback system which enables the player to audition the tonal balance of a piece of music from the nave.
A few modifications have been carried out to the original scheme. In 1978 Harrison and Harrison replaced the Great Harmonics with a Mixture, and the Choir Flauto Traverso with a Larigot.
In 1983 Hill, Norman and Beard converted the action to electro pneumatic, added two pedal stops and increased the number of pistons. New key and pedalboards were installed and a digital recording and playback system added.
In January 2003, Harrison and Harrison commenced a general renovation of the organ. The action and console were restored to the authentic style of 1930 with new keyboards in bone and ebony and new pedals. Playing aids were comprehensively improved and six stops were replaced as follows: on the Choir Organ a new Flauto Traverso 4', made to the original scales, a Flageolet 2' and Sesquialtera 12.17 replaced the Dulciana, Dulcet Fifteenth of the original scheme and the Larigot. The original Trombas, somewhat opaque in tonality, were replaced with new pipework, on lower wind pressure, in the style of traditional English Trumpets. The original nomenclature was retained, so as to avoid having to grind down and re-engrave the ivory stop heads
A booklet written by Simon Headley, is available in the Cathedral at a cost of £2.50. This gives the complete history with a full description of the organ.
In November 2023 the Cathedral took possession of a Steinway Model D concert grand piano - allowing it to offer world-class recitals.
