The Aubertin Organ

The University Chapel of King's College is home to a fine organ built in 2004 by Bernard Aubertin, one of the world's leading organ builders. The French Ministry of Culture conferred on him the title of Maître d'art Facture d'Orgues, the highest accolade ever given by France to an organ builder. Although Aubertin's work is to be found in many countries, this is the very first Aubertin organ in the United Kingdom.

The new organ has three manuals and pedals, with 26 speaking stops. The great organ includes a reconstructed 'medieval blockwerk' - in recognition of the age of the building and to replicate the sound the original organ might well have made. The sound quality is built on the French Montre stop - the original inspiration for the staple British organ sound called Diapason. These two sounds encourage congregational singing at services. There is a Trumpet stop to welcome brides, a characteristic French Voix Humaine, and several stops are suitable for accompanying both singers and instrumentalists.

One of the unusual features of the pedal division is a wooden reed stop - Buzene - which gives clarity and depth to the full organ sound. The organ provides a variety of different sounds and colours and has a highly responsive action. The appearance of the instrument enhances the interior of the Chapel and the unique design, with pipes on all four sides, enables the organ to speak freely and naturally throughout the whole building.

Also in the Chapel is a small one manual organ built by Nigel Church around 15 years ago. It has three speaking stops and is in equal temperament.