Mayne Hall
The University of Queensland
St Lucia, Brisbane


Roger Pogson 1970s, 3 manuals, 45 speaking stops, 6 couplers, mechanical action





Information from Simon Pierce's website:

For many years, the University of Queensland at St. Lucia suffered the lack of a multi-purpose concert hall, with most graduation ceremonies, large orations and other such events taking place at Brisbane City Hall.  In the 1970's, Robin Gibson, the architect for many public buildings in Brisbane (most notably the Southbank complex of halls, theatres, library and museum) proposed a very original and acoustically interesting design for Mayne Hall, situated on the lawns in front of the main facade of the University.

A pipe organ was an integral part of the design, and Roger Pogson of Sydney was engaged as builder. The instrument including casework was constructed by Laukhuff of Germany, before installation and voicing by Pogson himself.

The instrument, like the building, was expected to be multifunctional, but it is doubtful that the instrument is as versatile as its surroundings.  The specification may lead one to expect that all schools of organ music may be played on it.  However, some styles are more successfully managed than others.  The Orgelbewegung style caters for the Baroque, as well as some neo-Baroque and twentieth Century styles, and the inclusion of a Jeu de Tierces on Swell and Great allows for the classical French repertoire.  However, the immediacy of the position and the lack of reverberation in the hall (less than two seconds) limit the authentic rendition of the Romantic Schools, whether they be English, French or German!

In 2004, the building was converted into the Mayne Centre which houses the University of Queensland Art collection. Basically, a set of galleries was added into the centre of the hall. The interior has completely changed and is now more interesting acoustically. Whilst the organ is not as visible as before, the sound of the organ in the various spaces is warmer and more exciting. Recent concerts at the Centre have shown that this venue is still one of the best musical spaces for hearing fine organ music.




Specification
GREAT
 Bourdon
Principal
Rohr Flute
Octave
Nachthorn
Nazard
Octave
Blockflute
Tierce
Mixture
Cymbel
Trumpet
Tremulant

SWELL
Hohl Flute
Salicional
Celeste
Spitz Principal
Nazard
Wald Flute
Tierce
Quint
Sifflute
Mixture
Dulzian
Oboe
Vox Humana
Tremulant

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



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



 POSITIV
Gedackt
Principal
Chimney Flute
Octave
Gemshorn
Quint
Sesquialtera
Scharff
Musette
Trumpet (en chamade)
Tremulant

PEDAL
 Principal
Sub Bass
Octave
Gedackt
Octave
Mixture
Fagott
Posaune
Trumpet
Schalmei


Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Positiv to Pedal
Swell to Great
Swell to Positiv
Positiv to Great

8
4
4
2
2
1-1/3
II
IV
8
8



16
16
8
8
4
IV
32
16
8
4

Swell to Great Pistons coupled
Positiv to Great Pistons coupled
Pedal to Great Pistons coupled
6 adjustable pistons to all divisions
Mechanical Action and Couplers


Photos: MQ