What fantastic news! This organ probably influenced the development of the British Victorian organ more than just about any other, and IMHO is one of the most beautifully voiced organs in the entire country. I've played it a few times and it never fails to reduce me almost to tears. Interestingly despite its fame it is in its third home, having never been nearly so appreciated either in the wooden barn where it was first installed nor briefly in another church before arriving in Armley. The combination of Schulze's voicing expertise and a soaring gothic stone building with the perfect acoustic for a grand organ seem to have sealed this organ's reputation as one of the greatest organs ever installed in the UK. It is fantastic to see that it has now been sampled, though I would think the surround sets would be a "must" for anyone with the right equipment, to benefit fully from the church ambience. Great to see that a proportion of the proceeds of the sales will be returned to the maintenance of this wonderful organ too.
When I designed my own stop jambs (in j-organ) for Salsbury, I took as my design cues the burr walnet jambs of the Armley console, beautifully executed by Binns. Irrespective of the sound of the thing, the console has to be one of the most handsome drawstop consoles ever designed.
When I designed my own stop jambs (in j-organ) for Salsbury, I took as my design cues the burr walnet jambs of the Armley console, beautifully executed by Binns. Irrespective of the sound of the thing, the console has to be one of the most handsome drawstop consoles ever designed.