Ralph Downes

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Ralph Downes (1904 - 1993) was an English organist, organ designer, teacher and music director, formerly of the Royal College of Music.

Downes helped execute the rebuilding of many famous organs, including Guildford Cathedral, and in 1948 he designed the organ for the Royal Festival Hall. When first unveiled in 1954 this instrument caused some controversy, but it proved to be the beginning of what is now perceived as the classical reform movement in organ design, leaving behind the vast edifices of Victorian civic organs in favour of a simpler and more cohesive sound. Although the final result was still not wholly to his taste, lacking in some tonal colours, it clearly pointed the way to the modern British organs such as those built by Manders. It was here that Downes made many of his most important recordings however he also recorded at the London Oratory.

He designed the Grand Organ of the London Oratory built by JW Walker.

As a professor of organ his influence on students such as Dame Gillian Weir is a matter of record. He also taught Trevor Pinnock. It was Downes who urged Weir to compete in the prestigious St Albans International Organ Festival at St. Albans, where she took first prize. Downes visited the Festival numerous times.

Many recordings of Downes at the organ are still available, notably those with Benjamin Britten and Peter Pears. When Downes died in 1993 the organ was silent at his request to make way for gregorian chant which he had grown fond of following his conversion to Catholicism.