Sculthorpe (Norfolk), St Mary and All Saints

Johannes Snetzler 1755

Built for the Assembly Rooms in York the instrument was transfered to Sculthorpe in 1860; some decorative elements obviously 19th c. as well. Restored by Noel Mander in 1950.

The Sculthorpe organ represents the everyday business of an organ maker of the 18th century, not only in England. Typically english are the enhanced manuals' compass and the very few attached pedal keys. Organs of that kind and size made useful accompaniment but might have been sufficient also for Handel's or Stanley's organ concerts, usually requiring just a one manual instrument with some acoustical presence.

Even an instrument like this with just five stops (divided Sesquialtera) offered a few sound variations with offering alternatives of open and stopped pipes in 8' and 4' and the choice of brightening treble and/or bass.