A Viscount organ has been selected for one of this year’s BBC Proms concerts, not in London’s Royal Albert Hall, but in the North-East at the beautiful Glasshouse International Centre for Music, in Gateshead.
On Saturday 26th July 2025, the Glasshouse will host BBC Proms: Bach and Mendelssohn, with a full symphony orchestra and chorus presenting Mendelssohn’s Lobgesang (Hymn of Praise). A rarely performed choral symphony that demands a confident and powerful organ part to hold its own among rich orchestration.
Choosing the right instrument for the occasion
The original enquiry came from Abi Groocock, Creative Learning Producer at The Glasshouse. Aware that a smaller chamber organ would not suffice for this large-scale performance, she reached out to us for advice. The brief was clear: the organ needed to have presence, orchestral colour, pedal depth and volume capable of matching a full chorus and orchestra.
After discussing the technical and musical needs, we recommended our Ensign 35-SV. A two-manual instrument with a strong foundational voice, orchestral reeds, and flexible voicing options. While Mendelssohn’s score might not require many manuals, the extra volume and tonal options make the Ensign 35-SV the right choice.
Installed ready for rehearsals
Installation took place a couple of days ago, ahead of the concert to allow for full rehearsals from Tuesday 22nd July. The instrument was positioned to best blend with the ensemble, with the Viscount’s sound projection and clarity making it a perfect fit for the hall’s acoustics.
Our long-standing colleague Peter Armitage managed the setup, making sure that all voicing and placement supported the conductor’s interpretation of this dramatic work.
While we don’t yet know the organists’ details, we’re looking forward to hearing who will take the console for this rare performance of Lobgesang.
Listen in or hear it again
You can still buy tickets for the live event at The Glasshouse International Centre for Music and the concert is being broadcast on BBC Four and BBC iPlayer. We’ll be sure to update this post with a link to BBC iPlayer once it is available. It’s always a thrill to hear one of our instruments feature in such a prominent and musically rich event.
This is another example of how Viscount organs can play a vital role in large-scale productions where quality, flexibility, and reliability are essential.
We were honoured to contribute to this special evening at the BBC Proms. Our thanks to The Glasshouse team for choosing Viscount, and to the performers and crew who will bring Mendelssohn’s vision to life. If you’re looking for a professional, flexible organ solution for your concert hall, theatre, or festival, we’re always happy to help you find the perfect fit.
Watch the replay on iPlayer
I have played the church organ since the age of 11. I am organist at my local catholic church as well as accompanist for a small choral group and keyboard player in a function band. I am committed to ensuring Viscount customers get industry leading service and advice, resulting in the very best organ to suit their needs, be it church, school, home or concert hall.
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