Monash University
Wellington Road, Clayton

ROBERT BLACKWOOD HALL

Built 1978-80 Jurgen Ahrend, Leer, Germany
4 manuals, 45 speaking stops, 3 couplers, mechanical action




Robert Blackwood Hall: exterior from the south
[photograph from Panoramio website]



Historical and Technical Documentation by John Maidment
© OHTA, 2016 (last updated April 2016)

Robert Blackwood Hall was designed by noted Melbourne architect Roy Grounds and opened in June 1971. It commemorates the first chancellor of the University Sir Robert Blackwood. The hall seats 1598 people and includes a rose window incorporating stained glass by Leonard French.



Robert Blackwood Hall: organ from floor of hall
[photograph by John Maidment (11 April 2016)]

The organ was built by Jürgen Ahrend, of Leer, Germany in consultation with John O'Donnell and opened in 1980; it was the firm's opus 103. It has suspended mechanical key actions and has tonal resources suited to both the German and French classical repertoires, the fourth manual consisting of a short-compass Cornet. The casework and console fittings are of untreated oak.



Robert Blackwood Hall: organ console
[photograph by John Maidment (11 April 2016)]

 

 

 

Hauptwerk
Bordun
Praestant
Hohlflöte
Oktave
Spitzflöte
Quinte
Oktave
Gemshorn
Cornet c'
Mixtur
Zimbel
Dulzian
Trompete
Vox Humana

Oberwerk
Gedackt
Quintade
Praestant
Rohrflöte
Nasat
Waldflöte
Terz
Nasat
Scharf
Trompete
Cromorne

Brustwerk
Holzgedackt
Holzflöte
Oktave
Terz
Quinte
Oktave
Mixtur
Rankett
Regal

Kornettwerk
Cornet c'

Pedalwerk
Praestant
Subbass
Oktave
Gedackt
Oktave
Flöte
Mixtur
Posaune
Trompete
Trompete

16
8
8
4
4
3
2
2
V
IV-VI
III
16
8
8


8
8
4
4
3
2
1-3/5
1-1/3
IV-V
8
8


8
4
2
1-3/5
1-1/3
1
III
16
8


V


16
16
8
8
4
2
IV
16
8
4








































short compass from c'-f '''

Compass: 54/30

Oberwerk / Hauptwerk
Oberwerk / Pedalwerk
Hauptwerk / Pedalwerk

Tremulant to entire organ

2 Zimbelstern

Flexible wind

Shutters to Brustwerk controllable by pedal

Pitch: A' = 440HZ at 20˚C
Wind pressure: 79 mm

Temperament: Werckmeister II revised by Ahrend



Robert Blackwood Hall: stop jamb
[photograph by John Maidment (11 April 2016)]




Robert Blackwood Hall: nameplate
[photograph by John Maidment (11 April 2016)]




Robert Blackwood Hall: auditorium
[photograph by John Maidment (11 April 2016)]