Māori sounds - a first for the organ.
City organist, John Wells, was determined that an organ in Aotearoa New Zealand should reflect local culture, so he investigated the possibility of incorporating the sounds of traditional Māori instruments in the organ. Since organ builders through the centuries have made their versions of many types of flute and trumpet, why not Māori instruments? Richard Nunns , a specialist in Māori instruments was asked for an opinion and he recommended the kōauau ( flute) and pūkāea (horn) as suitable candidates.
Orgelbau Klais took up the challenge enthusiastically and spent two years developing pipes that would make the right sound. For the kōauau scientific glass was chosen supported by oak bases, and for the pūkāea, wood was used for the lowest twenty four pipes with metal (lead and tin) used for the remaining pipes.
If the tonal challenge was one thing, creating a range of sixty one notes, the organ's compass, was another. The original instruments have a range of five or six notes.
A special feature was the ability to carve the lowest wooden pipes of the pūkāea, so Ngati Whatua asked carver Arekatera Maihi to apply traditional motifs.
|
Consultant Ian Bell shows carver Arekatera Maihi how the organ Pūkāea will make its sound
|
The carved wooden pipes of the Pūkāea rank
|
The glass Kōauau pipes
|
Next in Tour: An organ to be seen
|
