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NEWSLETTER FOR FRIENDS AND DONORS
JULY 2009
DEMONSTRATION ORGAN DRAWS THE CROWDS
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The demonstration organ, ordered from Orgelbau Klais for educational purposes, made its first appearance on June 28.
It was one of many exhibits at the Auckland Philharmonia Orchestra’s first Open Day. Hundreds of people poured through the town hall to see how musical instruments are made, to hear a demonstration concert from the APO, to talk to musicians, to learn about the orchestra’s history, to conduct players, to hear school orchestras …. and to see the workings of a pipe organ.
Eager fingers played the keys, pulled the stops and pumped the bellows of the little organ as City Organist John Wells and Kerry Stevens revealed the instrument’s many mysteries. |
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ACTION IN BONN
The last pipes to be fitted to their soundboards are seen in the photos from organ builder Stefan Hilgendorf.
This is part of the Solo Organ whose pipes will be placed at the highest level of the town hall organ. Clearly seen are the unique glass pipes of the Koauau (Maori flute). Next to them, the metal cone-shaped pipes of the Pukaea (Maori horn). The larger wooden pipes of this rank are being carved by Ngati Whatua o Orakei.
In the lower photo, three ranks of pipes from the original 1911 Norman and Beard Organ can also be seen – Vox Humana, Orchestral Oboe and Orchestral Clarinet, with their variously shaped resonators - all carefully restored by Orgelbau Klais.
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Almost five thousand pipes have been packed in three containers for shipping to Auckland. When they arrive in early August, a team from Bonn will unpack and install them.
The pipe voicers will then set to work carefully adjusting all the pipes to give them their final sound – a task that will take several months.
INAUGURATION COUNTDOWN
Planning is well underway for a week of festivities next March to celebrate the inauguration of New Zealand’s largest and most up-to-date pipe organ.
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