New Norcia Benedictine Monastery has this month 12 August celebrated a very special birthday – the 100th anniversary of the Abbey Church’s historic pipe organ.
The day, organised in co-operation with the Organ Society of Western Australia, was supported by an enthusiastic audience of more than 70 people.
Those present enjoyed a varied day of musical recitals, lectures on the history and special features of the instrument, and a fine lunch in New Norcia’s St Ildephonsus’ College.
The organ at New Norcia was designed in Germany, where it had been exhibited at the Munich World Fair in 1922.
It features many technical features which were cutting-edge technology at the time, and some unique tonal qualities and voices not to be found on any other instrument in Australia.
Performers included New Norcia’s own Fr Robert Nixon, as well as John Beaverstock, Andrew Brown, Samuel Yeo, and singer Mary Barrett-Lennard.
Experienced organ technician, Patrick Elms, also spoke about the unique and distinctive features of the instrument, to an audience which included many organ aficionados.
Music composed by monks of New Norcia, including Dom Rosendo Salvado, Fr Stephen Moreno and Fr Robert Nixon, was presented, highlighting the centrality of music to the life of the monastery, from its first beginnings through to the present day.