This charming animation explores the building of Birmingham’s magnificent Symphony Hall organ.

The Symphony Hall organ was inaugurated on Friday 19 October 2001 as part of the hall’s 10th anniversary celebrations. It was designed and built by hand by Johannes Klais Orgelbau, a renowned family firm based in Bonn.

With over 6,000 pipes – stretching more than 2½ miles end to end – the organ is a remarkable feat of engineering. It stands nearly 65 feet tall, weighs over 30 tonnes, and incorporates wood from more than 20 trees. Its pipes range in length from 32 feet to just 6 inches, and are made from a variety of woods and metal alloys.

The organ can be played from two consoles: one mechanical, directly connecting the keys to the pipes, and a second moveable console operated electronically from the platform.

Created by Chris Randall (Second Home Studios), this animation is set to a narrative poem by Julie Boden.