IN 20 years as the City of Launceston’s resident organ expert, Tom Jones has never seen the Albert Hall’s historic Brindley organ powered by its water engine.
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The organ is Australia’s largest surviving organ predating 1860, and was first installed at Launceston’s Mechanics Institute, where its bellows were operated by manpower.
After it was moved to the Albert Hall in 1892 a water engine was used to operate the bellows, which was later superseded by an electrical motor.
A Mother’s Day recital from organist Andrew Bainbridge will be the first performance to use the water engine in decades.
Mr Jones said the concert would be a special event for families.
"While it only supplies power to the bellows, I like to think that the organ and music itself sounds slightly different when it is being powered by the water engine — that it really gives the organ a chance to sing,” he said.
Entry to the 2pm recital is by gold coin donation, with all proceeds going to charity.
