81 stops, two of them 'Maori' sounds, for Auckland Town Hall organ
Monday, 16 June 2008 20:11
The eagerly awaited final stop list for the Auckland Town Hall organ, to be rebuilt by Johannes Klais Orgelbau, lists 81 stops - two of them based on Maori sonorities!
They are divided among six divisions: Great, Swell, Choir (enclosed), Solo (enclosed), Bombard and Pedal. There are four manuals, the unenclosed Bombard Organ being playable from the Solo manual.
The two ranks based on Maori musical traditions, the Kōauau and Pūkāea, are both located within the Solo division and are of 8' pitch. Both are being specially developed by Klais. The Kōauau emulates a type of traditional flute and is thought to be the world's first concert hall organ stop made of glass. The Pūkāea is a "conch". Its construction will be along the lines of a French Horn rank, with modifications.
Auckland City Organist, Dr John Wells, explains that these sounds are intended to have a significant meaning for many New Zealanders today, building bridges across cultural diversity and attracting young talent to the organ.
Dr Wells says this stop list, the result of months of deliberation, will fully satisfy the original brief behind the rebuild: to restore the power and spirit of the original 1911 Town Hall Organ. (It was rebuilt in line with the thinking of the Organ Reform movement in 1969-70.)
Wells believes the design will "challenge and delight the most demanding recitalist" and hopes "the enjoyment of the impact and colour of the new instrument will spread out further and draw in more people to appreciate the riches of organ music".
The organ will be reinstalled during 2009.
The final stop list was announced to the ORGANZ Congress 2008 by Stephen Hamilton, Chairman of the Town Hall Organ Trust and Councillor Toni Millar, representing the Auckland City Council.
The full stop list in PDF format is available [help on viewing PDF files].
Further information on the Auckland Town Hall organ, its history and how to support the organ project can be found at www.aucklandorgan.org.nz .