DUNEDIN'S NEW ORGAN.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19726, 17 September 1929, Page 4

DUNEDIN'S NEW ORGAN.

WEMBLEY INSTRUMENT RECONSTRUCTED. [THE PBBBS ' Spcctol B«r*ie*.] DUNEDIN, September 16. A start is to be made this week with the erection of the new organ for the Dunedin Town Hajl. When completed the organ will rank as one of the finest in the world. According to information supplied by the builders to the Dunedin City Council, it contains foar manuals, and the specification of stops has been the result of minute care and attention to the acoustics in the new hall.

The organ was originally built towards the end of 1923 for the special purpose of being installed in the Stadium of the British Empire Exhibition (1924) held at Wembley. The Stadium was capable of seating approximately 100,000. On several occasions the organ was used for accompanying massed choral singing in the Stadium, and many successful organ recitals were given by eminent organists. When the British Empire Exhibition closed in 1924 the organ was removed to the manufacturers' factory and carefully stored there. To adapt the instrument to the Dunedin Town Hall it has been necessary to make many drastic alterations and additions to the specifications. It is, therefore, no exaggeration to say that the organ since its removal from Wembley has been entirely reconstructed, and a new tonal scheme has been devised especially for the Town Hall requirements. The console and the whole of the electric action are entirely new, and this work in itself amounted to approximately £SOOO in value. Over and above these matters, it must be borne in mind that the whole of the lay-out and distribution of the organ has had to be adapted to its new conditions, and in a few weeks' time, when the giant framework and pedal pipes have been installed, it will be realised what this item alone has involved.

In order to ensure the unqualified success of the organ when completed, and further to ensure this instrument taking its place among the finest organs in the world, the company has entrusted, the erection to Mr D. W. Beard, a director of the firm, who has been sent especially from London to supervise matters from the beginning.