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Whilst completely reliant on air for its sound (some 90,000 cubic feet every minute), the Grand Organ is highly sophisticated and computer-controlled, and is capable of producing anything from a delicate whistle to deafening thunder.
The original 1872 organ was destroyed in a devastating fire in 1925. Its replacement was unveiled in 1929 and refurbished in 2001, creating what is widely regarded as one of the world’s finest instruments.
Although it is often used for classical music, in recent years the City of Melbourne has explored the instrument’s full capabilities in genres such as jazz, pop, rock, experimental, ambient, soundtrack and electronic music.
City of Melbourne's Grand Organ music program presents:
- virtuosic solo performances of classical organ music spanning over four hundred years
- orchestra and band concerts performing with the organ
- premieres of new contemporary music works commissioned specifically for the Town Hall instrument
- opportunities to see the instrument from the inside.
Most of the events are offered free. For information on upcoming Grand Organ concerts, see What's OnOpens in new tab.
Commissioned works
History
There have been two permanent organs installed in the Town Hall since 1872. The original organ was extensively rebuilt in 1905, and the second organ was installed in 1929 following the fire of 1925.
The Grand Organ Museum features a three-dimensional scale model of the organ, original programs from the opening concerts of the 1872 and 1929 organs, and gives visitors a chance to breathe air into the organ pipes. The museum can be accessed via the free Melbourne Town Hall toursOpens in new tab.
The makers of the original grand organ were unable to install it in time for the official opening of the town hall on 9 August 1870. A 17-stop organ from a lecture room in Richmond was borrowed and used until the installation and opening of the grand organ on 10 August 1872.
This organ was built and installed by William Hill and Son of London. The various organ parts, packed in a great number of cases (later sold by the builder to recoup part of the losses on the tender), arrived in Melbourne on 27 November 1871 after a 56-day journey from London on the Lammermuir.
Under the guidance of Robert Mackenzie of William Hill and Son, and D Renton, the organ was installed into the recess intended in the northern part of the hall. This work took nine months to complete.
The organ contained four manuals, 66 speaking stops and 4,373 pipes.
It was opened formally on 10 August 1872 by the Mayor, Orlando Fenwick, in the presence of the Governor of Victoria, Lord Viscount Canterbury, and Lady Canterbury. The organist for the opening was David Lee, later appointed City Organist.
George Fincham, the builder of the temporary organ used before 1872, carried out the repairs and maintenance of the organ until the early 1900s when the council decided to undertake a major reconstruction of the organ to improve its action and tonal qualities
After consulting leading overseas and local organ-building experts, a contract was entered into with Ingram and Co (who prepared the specification) for the complete reconstruction of the organ on the electro-pneumatic principle, including the provision of a new console. A number of new stops were also installed, along with alterations and repairs to the wind trunks and sound board.
Edwin H Lemare of London gave the opening recital on the revamped organ on 4 July 1906.
Apart from some variations in ornamentation and the position of the console, the organ retained its appearance of 1872. The alterations to the choir seating were perhaps the most noticeable feature of the stage and organ arrangement.
On 1 February 1925 the organ and a large part of the main hall were destroyed by fire.
By the mid-1990s the Town Hall Grand Organ had fallen into disrepair. Financial constraints in the past had prevented any major work being carried out on it and by 1997 the organ was unplayable.
A Town Hall Organ Working Committee was established in 1996 to make recommendations for the restoration and enhancement of the organ, agreeing to a refurbishment program the following year.
The contract to restore the organ went to the Schantz Organ Company of Orville, Ohio. Founded in 1873, it is the oldest and largest American pipe organ builder still under management of the founding family.
In January 1999 a team of nine Schantz staff visited Melbourne to remove the organ from the chamber and pack it in containers for its journey to America. Some parts of the organ, including the largest pipes, stayed in Australia and were restored by Australian organ builders. When work was complete, the organ was returned to Australia.
After five years and $4.5 million dollars, the work to restore and enhance the organ was completed. The City of Melbourne celebrated the completed refurbishment with a public concert on 25 May 2001, as part of the Centenary of Federation celebrations. The concert was the world premiere of a specially commissioned work by internationally renowned composer Philip Glass. In collaboration with didgeridoo virtuoso Mark Atkins, Glass wrote a 25-minute musical work featuring a combination of indigenous and non-indigenous performers: Calvin Bowman (pipe organ), Mark Atkins (didgeridoo), Ron Murray, (didgeridoo and clapsticks) and Wurundjeri elder Joy Murphy Wandin (narrator).
Grand Organ facts and figures
- The organ stands at 9.75 m (32 feet) high.
- The casework is made of Queensland maple with coin-bronze grilles.
- More than 483 km (300 miles) of wire and more than 3000 magnets with 32,000 electric contacts were used in the electrical equipment.
- There are 6024 pipes, the largest being the ‘Tibia Profunda’.
- The organ was constructed of California red pine and contains more than 1000 m (300 super feet) of 50.8 mm (2 inches) thick timber.
- The smallest pipe is the top note of the Tierce and is 9.3 mm (3/8 inch) in length with a diameter of 11.11 mm (7/16 inch).
- The console has four manuals (four rows of keys) from top to bottom being: Solo, Swell, Great and Choir.
- The Orchestral is a floating organ and is playable on all manuals by way of a rocking tablet on the key cheek of each set of keys.
- The organ is blown by two electric motors, one 14.91 kilowatts (20 horsepower) and one 11.18 kilowatts (15 horsepower) and gives pressures from 215.9 mm (8.5 inches) to 7010.4 mm (23.5 inches) water pressure, as measured by a water pressure gauge.
- The wind is delivered at a rate of 2548.53 cubic metres (90,000 cubic feet) per minute.
For more detailed information, download the Grand Organ specifications.
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