DUNEDIN LEADS

Evening Star, Issue 19800, 25 February 1928, Page 5

DUNEDIN LEADS

NEW EMPIRE THEATRE ORGAN PJSR W. PAGET GALE'S APPOINTMENT Coincident with the erection of the rew Empire Theatre will be the installation of a Christie unit organ at this theatre, and without a -doubt Dunedin will lead New Zealand in this form of musical entertainment, especially in view of the important announcement that has just been made that Mr W. Paget Gale, one of New Zealand’s foremost organists, lias accepted a live years’ engagement as organist at the new theatre. At the present time only two picture theatres in the dominion have organs installed, there being a Weurlitzer in Auckland and another in Wellington. The organ to bo erected in the new Empire Theatre, however, is different to either the Weurlitzer or Kimball organs usually installed in picture theatres, being an instrument first and foremost, with the addition of what the other two possess, fulfilling the requirements necessary in a picture theatre.

It is an organ of breadth, dignity, and power, and with inner voices with full orchestral effects, will produce a most delicate prismatic color, and bo equal tn any demands. While it may be said that two organs arc contained, eacli is focused and blended, and neither eliminates the other. It has power to shake the roof and rafters, and has delicacy to charm all and sundry.

One musical authority characterises it as tho “ most perfect instrument of its kind in New Zealand,” and there is no doubt that, it will prove a groat boon to the community. Nothing of a noisy or commonplace nature will be presented, and everything given will be in a refined atmosphere, the music to be featured varying from the most severely classical to tho most up-to-date jazz. In addition to the organ the new Empire will have a full orchestra, and all will bo using perfect combination. It is anticipated that the theatre will be opened about the middle of June, and the organ will have its premiere at. the same time.

While Mr Paget Gale’s appointment as organist will ho largely hailed with delight, for some it will ho tinged with regret, ns it means that he will be relinquishing the position of organist at Knox Church, with which he has been associated with conspicuous success for the past twenty-three years. Mr Paget Gale’s musical abilities are known dominion wide, and his services as a musical judge for years past have been utilised by leading competitions societies. He first look his seat at an organ publicly when he was six and a-halt years of ap. and now he has attained the proud position of being one of the finest organists in New Zealand.