First CD for heritage-listed pipe organ

St Luke's Church Toowoomba is looking forward to launching the first commercial recording of the Heritage-listed Norman and Beard pipe organ featuring international organist and USQ senior lecturer Phillip Gearing on Tuesday 7 August 2006.

USQ Vice Chancellor Professor Bill Lovegrove says the recording is an excellent example of how the University's academics contribute to the wider community.

'This historic instrument has been restored and its wonderful sounds are now recorded so they can be enjoyed by people around the globe, thanks to Mr Gearing's contribution over several years,' he said.

Phillip Gearing recorded the music in three midnight-to-dawn shifts in February to reduce the interference of traffic noise.

The CD has already triggered requests for him to make recordings of other organs in Queensland.

'There are plans to record other new and historic pipe organs in Brisbane as well as a second recording of the St Luke's instrument,' Mr Gearing said.

The pipe organ was transported to Australia and installed in 1907 and was the first instrument of the Norman and Beard firm to be brought from England to Queensland.

The CD also commemorates the 150th anniversary of the founding of the parish of St Luke by pioneer clergyman Benjamin Glennie.

Music chosen for the recording includes the world premiere of Australian composer Andrew Newcombe Mantra XXVIII, Malcolm Williamson's Toccata and Herbert Howells' Sonata No 1 as well as a selection of other English and French organ music.

The recording was engineered and produced by Melbourne sound technician Thomas Grubb of Mano Musica.

The CDs are $25 each and are available online by visiting St Luke's Anglican Church website www.stlukestoowoomba.org.au or by phoning the church office on 07 4639 1910.

The CDs can also be purchased at Music 'n' More at Gardentown Shopping Centre, Toowoomba.

Media Contact: Phillip Gearing, Senior Lecturer in Music, USQ
Phone: 4631 1108 or 0407 159 473
Email: gearing@usq.edu.au