Perhaps our most unique feature at the cinema is our 3-manual 15 rank Wurlitzer Organ. It is a huge beast, containing over 1000 metal and wooden pipes ranging in size from a telegraph pole to a pencil.
The wind to supply all the organ pipes and percussions is supplied by two large Spencer blowers with a capacity of 1100 cubic feet per minute, using a 3 phase power supply of 7,460 watts. Most of the pipes and percussions are housed in 3 large chambers backstage. The control system between the chambers and the console in the auditorium is state of the art electronic.
Capable of producing orchestral sounds of Flute, Violin, Clarinet, Trombone, English Horn, Oboe, Tuba, Trumpet plus a full range of actual percussion instruments which include Harp, Marimba, Xylophone, Glockenspiel, Piano, Sleigh Bells, Tubular Bells, Tower Chimes, Drums & Cymbals.
Not to mention a huge range of sound effects for silent movies which include Motor Horns, Fire Siren, Surf, Boat & Train Whistles to Tweeting Birds just to name a few.
On a more serious note the Organ (if required) also has the capabilities of a Church or Concert instrument & is fully suited to Choral accompaniment & Classical Recitals; A very versatile Beast indeed.
Originally installed in the Regent Theatre, Queen St in 1926, it is often mistaken to a younger generation, for the Wurlitzer that presided at the Civic Theatre, Queen St until 1968.
The organ has had an interesting life. Sold in 1944 to the Hutt Valley High School where it remained until 1968 when an enormous tropical cyclone struck the area and blew apart a portion of the roof of the school hall, exposing the instrument to the full force of the elements. (In fact, this same storm was responsible for the sinking of an inter-island ferry, the Wahine, at the entrance to Wellington Harbor, with the tragic loss of 51 lives.)
Due to the damage inflicted to the organ and it’s inner workings, the school thought it best to sell it as a going concern. It was sold to a Mr. Lindsay Anderson, an organ enthusiast who later, in 1978 sold it to Mr. Les Stenersen from Auckland.
That same year, Les approached Jan Grefstad, manager of the Hollywood Cinema about the possibility of housing the organ at the cinema. Being a Wurlitzer Organ and Golden Age movie fan, Jan was very enthusiastic about the idea.
So, along with a group of volunteers, the Wurlitzer was slowly resurrected over the next four years and had it’s maiden concert performance in November of 1982 featuring renowned Australian organist, Tony Fenelon.
In the early 1990’s, Les decided that he wanted to divest his financial interest in the project. So in 1993 a charitable trust was formed to purchase his interest and protect the instrument from being removed to another venue, possibly overseas.
The Wurlitzer Trust Of Auckland has been the driving force behind the betterment of the instrument and organises six to eight major events per year. The shows are put on with the intention of providing variety and diversity. From silent movies to big band extravaganzas, there is something for everyone.
For our next show just follow the link.
Wurlitzer Concert Next Attraction
