The biggest organ in the Southern Hemisphere

I have just attended an Organ concert at Brisbane City Hall.The Brisbane City Hall Organ is one of best preserved examples of a five-manual Father Henry Willis Organ anywhere in the world. The organ was built in 1892 by Henry Willis and Sons of London, for the Queensland National Agricultural and Industrial Association (QNA) at Bowen Hills.

In 1897, the QNA was declared bankrupt and several Brisbane musicians joined together to rescue the organ from the auctioneer's hammer by helping the Brisbane Municipal Council to raise funds to purchase the organ. In 1928, work began to enlarge and modernise the organ for its new home in Brisbane City Hall.The organ's first public recital was on 8 April 1930, the day City Hall officially opened.

In 2010 to 2013 Brisbane City Hall went through an extensive renovation as did the organ  - the way it is put together and what it takes to produce that beautiful music is a science on its own. I cannot even begin to explain it to you. Listening to organ music reminds me of the Wedding March and some terrifying moments from movies like Frankenstein. Today it was a real privilege to go to this free concert and listen to it being played in versatile tones, tunes, pitch and strength.