Norwich Cathedral

The Very Reverend Dr Andrew Braddock donated the Vox Humana organ stop from Norwich Cathedral. Chapter Steward Freddie Van Till represented the Cathedral on the day we sealed the contributions into the time capsules.

Our time capsule contribution

Norwich Castle and Norwich Cathedral both dominated the landscape of the Norman city. They continue to do so. Today, the core purpose of Norwich Cathedral remains as intended by Bishop Herbert de Losinga who, in 1096, founded it as a place of prayer, learning and hospitality.

As the work on the Castle's 'Royal Palace Reborn' project was being undertaken, the Cathedral had its own major project - the rebuilding of the Cathedral organ. The 'Organ Reborn' project reflected the central role of music in the Cathedral's life and worship. The 'vox humana' stop presented to the Castle comes from the historic organ. It controlled a rank of pipes designed to echo and imitate the human voice in the worship of God.

In the words of the great French organist Charles Marie Vidor: 'Organ playing is the manifestation of a will filled with the vision of eternity.' Norwich Cathedral continues to pursue that vision today.The stop dates from 1942 and was in use until the recent organ rebuild.