Trinity Uniting Church (formerly Congregational)
cnr The Boulevarde and Morwick Street, Strathfield
Norman & Beard 1909, 2m., 18 sp. st., tubular-pneumatic
Photo: Mark Quarmby
From SOJ August/September 1985, October/November 1992
The English firm of Norman & Beard Ltd rose to prominence in the late nineteenth and early twentieth centuries producing many notable organs including the fine instrument in Norwich Cathedral. In 1916 their business was amalgamated with that of Hill & Son, forming the firm known as Hill & Son and Norman & Beard Ltd. Norman & Beard exported about a dozen organs to Australia and it is sad to note that the Strathfield instrument is now the only example of their work surviving unaltered in this country. In several instances organs have been completely broken up and in others extensive rebuilds have occurred at the insistence of organists demanding the latest fads in tonal and mechanlcal luxury. In all but a few cases these rebuilds have been totally disastrous, with the so-called improvements being far less solid in quality than the original.
The Norman & Beard at Strathfield was built in 1909 and has tubular pneumatic action. It is housed in an exceedingly handsome case with an in-built drawknob console. The workmanship throughout the instrument demonstrates the highest quality and the action is well designed, prompt and very responsive. The tonal scheme well represents Edwardian ideals and the standard of voicing is uniformly superb. The instrument can be quite overpowering in what is really quite a small building. The organ is currently undergoing a restoration (2005-2006) by Peter D.G. Jewkes with other restoration work having been done in stages over the recent years.
Photo: Hugh Knight
The specification is:
| Great Open Diapason Stopped Diapason Gamba Dulciana Principal Wald Flute Swell Bourdon Violin Diapason Lieblich Gedact Salicional Voix Celeste Gemshorn Piccolo Horn Oboe Pedal Open Diapason Bourdon Bass Flute Couplers Swell to Great Swell to Pedal Great to Pedal Swell to Octave |
8 8 8 8 4 4 16 8 8 8 8 4 2 8 8 16 16 8 |
Compass 58/30
Balanced swell pedal
7 composition pedals
Photos: Rodney Ford 2006
Two photos above: Trevor Bunning April 2010