Harrison & Harrison

Organ Builders

Harrison & Harrison are a firm of pipe organ builders in the UK, examples of whose work can also be found in many other countries. This organ at Talbot Lane was built by Harrison & Harrison and was installed in the church during 1904, a few months after the building opened for worship.

Thomas Harrison established an organ building company in 1861 in Rochdale, then moved to Durham in 1872, where he was joined by his brother James. The company was moderately successful but did not achieve real success until 1896 when Thomas's sons Arthur and Harry took over. Harry designed the organs and Arthur proved to be a particularly gifted ‘voicer’, resulting in commissions for rebuilds of several great organs including Durham Cathedral, the Royal Albert Hall and new commissions including Westminster Abbey.

Arthur Harrison died in 1936 and Harry retired in 1946. The company passed to Harry's son Cuthbert. Since 1973, the firm has been led by Mark Venning.

In the postwar period Harrisons contributed to the renaissance of classical organ building, producing organs more like the 18th Century German instruments and less like the more orchestral Victorian pattern. Notable examples included the Royal Festival Hall instrument, designed in close collaboration with Ralph Downes, and the organ at St Albans Abbey, for Peter Hurford.

Harrisons are still based in Durham and are still active in organ building and rebuilding.