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Merklin-Schutze Pipe Organ

Location

158 Colchester Road,, KILSYTH VIC 3137 - Property No B0459

File Number

B0459

Level

State

[1/4]
Elsternwick Cato Uniting 1
[2/4]
Merklin-Schutze Pipe Organ 2
[3/4]
Merklin-Schutze Pipe Organ 3
[4/4]
Merklin-Schutze Pipe Organ 4

Statement of Significance

Built circa 1870 by Merklin-Schutze in Brussels for St John's Anglican Church, Toorak, this instrument is the only large example of the French symphonic romantic school of organbuilding surviving in Australia in substantially original form. It is an ideal medium for the performance of music of the French romantic organ school.
Since Australia possesses so few instruments which are principally designed around a particular style of organ composition this instrument should be regarded as a national treasure.
The external appearance of the organ pipework and soundboards are substantially original. However between 1877 and 1898 two ranks of pipe were changed and in 1919 a new console was installed and the action changed to tubular pneumatic. The instrument at the present time is virtually unplayable.
It remained at St John's until 1914 when it was sold to the Methodist Church, Orrong Road, Elsternwick.
The instrument was dismantled in 2003 by Wakeley Pipe Organs Pty Ltd and initially placed in storage in Fitzroy, but the parts have since been moved to Kilsyth.
Classified: 18/06/1990

It is listed at the State level by the State Government body Heritage Victoria, giving it statutory protection. Details can be found at www.heritage.vic.gov.au, by clicking on the Heritage Register Online, and searching using the "H" number given above.

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