Harrison & Harrison

Harrison & Harrison is a renowned British company specializing in the design, manufacture, and restoration of pipe organs. Founded by Thomas Harrison in 1861, the company has a long history of producing high-quality instruments for cathedrals, churches, and concert halls across the United Kingdom, including Durham Cathedral, York Minster, and the Royal Albert Hall. Harrison & Harrison has worked with notable organists such as César Franck, Louis-Claude Daquin, and Marcel Dupré, and has been involved in the restoration of historic instruments, including those built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll and Henry Willis. The company's expertise has also been sought after by institutions like the Royal College of Music, Royal Academy of Music, and Oxford University.

● History

The history of Harrison & Harrison dates back to 1861, when Thomas Harrison established the company in Durham, England. During the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the company gained a reputation for producing high-quality pipe organs for cathedrals and churches across the United Kingdom, including Ely Cathedral, Gloucester Cathedral, and St Paul's Cathedral. Harrison & Harrison worked with notable architects such as George Gilbert Scott and Augustus Pugin, and was involved in the design and construction of instruments for Westminster Abbey, St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle, and the Brompton Oratory. The company's history is also closely tied to that of other notable organ builders, including Henry Willis & Sons and N.P. Mander.

● Products

Harrison & Harrison produces a wide range of pipe organs, from small chamber organs to large concert organs. The company's products are known for their high-quality craftsmanship and attention to detail, and are often designed in collaboration with notable organists and composers, such as Olivier Messiaen, Maurice Duruflé, and Francis Poulenc. Harrison & Harrison's instruments can be found in cathedrals, churches, and concert halls across the United Kingdom, including the Royal Festival Hall, Barbican Centre, and Bridgewater Hall. The company has also produced instruments for export, including those installed in Sydney Opera House, Melbourne Town Hall, and Copenhagen Cathedral.

● Notable Instruments

Harrison & Harrison has produced many notable pipe organs throughout its history, including the instruments at Durham Cathedral, York Minster, and the Royal Albert Hall. The company's instruments can also be found in Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, and Ely Cathedral, and have been played by notable organists such as Marcel Dupré, Louis-Claude Daquin, and César Franck. Harrison & Harrison has also been involved in the restoration of historic instruments, including those built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll and Henry Willis, and has worked on projects at Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres Cathedral, and Rouen Cathedral. The company's instruments have been featured in numerous recordings, including those by Simon Preston, Peter Hurford, and Gillian Weir.

● Company Profile

Harrison & Harrison is a private company based in Durham, England, and is still family-owned and operated. The company employs a team of skilled craftsmen and women, including organ builders, woodworkers, and engineers, and has a strong commitment to apprenticeships and training. Harrison & Harrison has worked with a wide range of clients, including cathedrals, churches, concert halls, and universities, and has established partnerships with other notable companies, including Mander Organs and Nicholson & Co.. The company is a member of the Incorporated Society of Organ Builders and the British Institute of Organ Studies, and has been involved in numerous restoration projects, including those at St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle and Bristol Cathedral.

● Restoration Projects

Harrison & Harrison has been involved in numerous restoration projects throughout its history, including the restoration of historic pipe organs at Notre-Dame de Paris, Chartres Cathedral, and Rouen Cathedral. The company has worked on instruments built by Aristide Cavaillé-Coll, Henry Willis, and other notable organ builders, and has restored instruments in cathedrals, churches, and concert halls across the United Kingdom and beyond. Harrison & Harrison's restoration projects have included work at Westminster Abbey, St Paul's Cathedral, and Ely Cathedral, and have involved collaboration with notable organists and historians, including Nicholas Thistlethwaite and Stephen Bicknell. The company's expertise in restoration has been recognized through numerous awards and accolades, including the Queen's Award for Enterprise and the Royal Warrant.

Category:Organ builders