Auckland's Musical Gem: New Zealand's Oldest Pipe Organ

It is not every day you get to travel to the other side of the world to New Zealand. The reason for this trip was a family visit but, as a professional organist, I did not want to miss the chance to visit some interesting instruments. For this reason I decided to get in touch with Ponsonby Baptist Church in Auckland to visit a remarkable 18th century English organ.

This instrument was built in London by John Avery (ca.1738-1808) in 1779. Despite his reputation as a colourful character on the edge of legality, Avery built some important organs including mayor venues such as Winchester Cathedral (1799), King's College Chapel in Cambridge (1803) and Carlisle Cathedral (1806). The organ at Ponsonby Baptist Church is the best preserved of his production.

After a first period in use probably in a private mansion or a smaller chapel, this chamber organ was acquired in 1859 by George Selwyn (1809-1878) Bishop of Auckland to be installed in old St. Paul's Church, Auckland. The instrument was restored and shipped to New Zealand in November 1859 under the expertise of George Job Elvey (1816-1893), organist of St. George's Chapel in Windsor.

Some years after its arrival to New Zealand, the organ was bought by Ponsonby Baptist Church in 1897. The restoration completed between 2004 and 2005 by Goetze & Gwynn organ company (Worksop, England) took this precious instrument to its original condition after its alterations during the 20th century. Now this little gem is perfectly playable and it is considered to be the oldest pipe organ of New Zealand and the oldest in the whole Australasian continent where the maker's name can be readily established. 

Here is the disposition:

[Stop]Pd Diapason Bass [8], [Stop]Pd Diapason Treble [8], Op[en] Diapason [8, from c], Dulciana [8, from c1], Principal [4], Twelfth [2 2/3], Fifteenth [2], Sesquialt[era] Bass, Cornet Treble [from c1], Hautboy [8, from c1]

The manual compass is GG,C,AA,D-e3 with 54 notes. A new "Shifting Movement" pedal was reintroduced after the restoration and it cut off the Twelfth, Fifteenth, Dulciana, Sesquialtera and Cornet. The Hautboy is completely rebuilt and it is enclosed in a small swell box operated by a new pedal. The temperament is unequal.

Here is a video of a piece which I composed on February 26, 2024, during my stay in Aongatete, New Zealand, called Aotearoa Voluntary Op.111. This composition is specifically written for this organ and it is in the style of the 18th century English voluntaries. The music is available upon request. Many thanks to Graham Davison who kindly made this visit possible.