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Cathedral Has
Organ
By Rev. HAROLD MARSHALL
(Precentor of Christ Church
Cathedral).
THE ORGAN in Christ Church
Cathedral. Newcastle, through
which the late Mr. T. H. Massey
expressed so much of the musi
cian's soul. is one of the finest in
struments in Australia.
The pipe-organ remains the noblest
of musical instruments. It is, in the
hands of a slaster musician, a means
whereby the human soul is lifted
above the preoccupations of this
transitory life to that heavenly uni
verse which is the true home of every
son of God. and the realm of ulti
mate reality.
There let the pealing organ blow
To the full voic'd quire below,
In service high and anthems clear
As May, with sweetness, through mine
ear,
Dissolve me into ecstasies
And bring all Heaven before mine eyes.
-John Milton.
TRE CONSOLE of the Cathedral
organ is underneath the pipes. This
arrangement has three disadvantages.
First, the organist cannot assess the
actual volume of sound he is produc-
ing; secondly, if he desires to conduct,
the decanal (Dean's) side only is
brought under his direction; thirdly,
since the sound is deflected into the
Cathedral the organist hears the
music a fraction of a second after
the congregation. In quick passages.
such as certain of those in Bach's
Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, the
player is pressing down the fifth
key before he hears the first note
of the phrase.
There are four rows of keys. each
row or manual representing a distinct
organ. So, then, there are really
four separate organs, assembled in
one place, providing combinations and
effects of great variety.
The manuals are named after their
characteristics, such as, the great
organ, that used for grand effects:
the choir organ, that which should
be used for the accompaniment of
voices: the solo organ, usually con-
taining stops for solo use: and the
swell organ. The pipes of the last
mentioned are in a box with shutters,
which open and close like a venetian
blind. By gradually opening the
shutters, the organist is able to make
a crescendo.
To the manuals already mentioned.
may be added the pedal organ, which
is played with the feet.
A feature of the Cathedral organ
is the set of bells, extending for
one octave, in E major, and manipu-
lated from the swell manual. Mr.
Massey usually played the bells at
weddings for the procession of the
bride and bridegroom to the Vestry.
BEFORE THE present Cathedral
was completed, church services
were held in the Pro-Cathedral,
which is now the Parish Hall.
Mr. Edward King was appointed
organist in 1889, and was in charge
of the music at the dedication of
the Cathedral, on November 21, 1902.
A report of the proceedings by the
"Maitland Mercury," on November
22, 1902, included the following note:
"The organ in the Cathedral was
the one formerly used in the Pro
Cathedral. It was moved and placed
in the south transept by Mr. J. P.
Broderich, of West Maitland . .
Eventually this organ was sold,
and is at present installed in the
Church of St. Nicholas, Coogee.
The instrument which took its
place, was built by Norman &
Beard, in 1906, at a cost of £2300.
This was made possible by the gen
erosity pf Mrs. Joseph Wood. Con-
struction of the organ in England
was supervised by Sir George Mar-
tin.
In 1910, the late Mr. F. G. Castleden
was commissioned to prepare
plans for the construction of an
organ loft and choir gallery, in
preparation for the removal of the
organ from the south to the north
transept.
Later, a solo manual was added,
as well as additional stops to the
great and choir manuals.
Mr. Edward King died in 1918.
He is remembered to this day as
an outstanding musician.
Mr. Thomas Henry Massey was
appointed organist and choirmaster
in 1910- a position which he held
till his death in November of this
year.
hMr. A. Howard, who was a pupil
of MIr. King, is carrying on until
the Dean appoints a permanent
organist.
[There is a story that a former
verger was so carried away with Mr.
MIassey's rendition of "The Storm,"
that he absent-mindedly put up his
umbrella in full view of the congre
gation.]
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