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The 'Grand Lady' to make sweet music again

Started by KB7DQH, July 23, 2012, 07:00:42 AM

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KB7DQH

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23 July 2012 | last updated at 12:59AM
The 'Grand Lady' to make sweet music again
By LOOI SUE-CHERN | penang@nstp.com.my



GEORGE TOWN: THE "Grand Lady" will soon be flawlessly in tune again. In fact, she will be as good as new.
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At 98 years old, the English-made pipe organ at the Church of the Assumption, here, will be undergoing her second major restoration since the 1970s.

The Catholic church had just received the large sum of money to fund her expensive repairs on Monday.

Air Asia Expedia had donated RM200,000 and the Star Foundation had chipped in with RM50,000.

On its own, the church had managed to raise over RM20,000 through donation drives.

The money collected has put the church on track to foot the pipe organ's restoration bill expected to cost between RM280,000 and RM300,000.


[Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen, who was at the cheque presentation at the church, lauded the two organisations for their donations.

Both had shown exemplary "Heritage CSR (corporate social responsibility)" and hopefully, more organisations would follow in their steps, she said.

Describing the pipe organ as "the oldest in Southeast Asia", she said it was a gift of history that was everyone's duty to preserve.

"I congratulate the church on its persistence in trying to save the pipe organ. Not many understand why it is so important to keep the instrument.

"The organ is part of the city's heritage in the Unesco World Heritage zone. Hopefully, more people would be interested to come and see it," she said.


Dr Ng, who played a role in the Grand Lady's restoration, shared how she got into the picture.

She said one night, she could not get to sleep, so at 2am, she had got up to watch a Discovery Channel programme which featured Leonard Selva Gurunathan, the church's organist, performing a public recital on the pipe organ at Dewan Filharmonik Petronas.

She shortly learnt about the condition of the church's pipe organ in Penang, which Leonard played regularly. She picked up the phone and called the bosses of a few corporations.

The rest is history and in Easter next year, when the repairs are completed, one would be able to listen to the beautiful organ music that the "Grand Lady" is famous for.

Dr Ng, who was on a working visit in Penang, earlier met with members of the tourism industry in Batu Ferringhi. She later toured the House of Yeap Chor Ee in Lebuh Penang.

Read more: The 'Grand Lady' to make sweet music again - Northern - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/the-grand-lady-to-make-sweet-music-again-1.111312#ixzz21QD8AQt9

...So this could have just as easily been posted in the "Believer's Corner ;) 8)

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

KB7DQH

QuoteAirAsia Expedia sponsors pipe organ restoration

QuoteGEORGE TOWN: AirAsia Expedia, the joint-venture between budget carrier Air Asia and US-based online travel company Expedia made its mark in Penang this month via a corporate sponsorship of an ageing pipe organ in George Town's Unesco heritage enclave.

The RM200,000 contribution from the company to the Church of Assumption for the restoration of a 98-year old pipe organ is the first sponsorship AirAsiaExpedia is making, ahead of its Malaysian launch by the end of this year.

"AirAsiaExpedia is extremely honoured to be involved in the restoration of the oldest pipe organ in Penang, and one of only a handful in Malaysia," AirAsiaExpedia chief executive officer Dan Lynn said during the cheque handover ceremony in Penang recently.

"Appreciating a city's heritage," he noted, "is one of the great privileges of travelling, and we hope that by preserving one of Penang's iconic cultural artifacts, we would encourage more travellers to visit this wonderful city."

Lynn also said AirAsiaExpedia will be launching Expedia.com.my in the coming months, and this gesture is in line with the company's long-term commitment and investment in Malaysia.

Star Foundation also contributed RM50,000 towards the organ's restoration, which is located in the loft of the 226 year-old Church of the Assumption in Lebuh Farqhuar.

The pipe organ, which is touted as the only pipe organ in a Malaysian Catholic church, was built in England in 1914 and erected inside the church two years later. No records exist of the organ's professional maintenance until 1972, when it had deteriorated to an almost unplayable state and has been maintained on a piece-meal basis without no continous financial support.

On its own, the church had managed to raise over RM20,000 through donation drives.

The money collected has put the church on track to foot the pipe organ's restoration bill expected to cost between RM280,000 and RM300,000.

Washington-based Expedia Inc has awarded charitable grants in the US to non-profit groups via its community grants programme, where some of its American employees are encouraged to nominate and vote on local charities to receive grants.

The company also promotes sustainable travel to World Heritage sites globally .

Read more: AirAsia Expedia sponsors pipe organ restoration http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120725185002/Article/#ixzz21uwQEOBQ

http://www.btimes.com.my/Current_News/BTIMES/articles/20120725185002/Article/

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

KB7DQH

Quote

GEORGE TOWN: Help has been extended to the almost 100-year-old pipe organ in the Church of the Assumption and a different kind of tune may greet church-goers soon.

AirAsiaExpedia and The Star Foundation have generously stepped in to save the ancient pipe organ, touted as one of the oldest in the country, in the form of corporate sponsorships for restoration works.


AirAsiaExpedia CEO Dan Lynn and The Star Foundation trustee Tan Sri Kamal Hashim said they were honoured to be involved in the restoration of the pipe organ.

"Appreciating a city's heritage is one of the great privileges of travelling and we hope that by preserving one of Penang's iconic cultural artifacts, we can encourage more travellers to visit this wonderful city," said Lynn.

"The pipe organ is one of Penang's treasured heritage prides. All efforts should be taken to ensure that its legacy remains," said Kamal.

The 225-year-old church in Farquhar Street needed more than RM235,000 to restore the deteriorating 98-year-old pipe organ.

The keys and trackers of the organ get stuck when it is played and there are also leaks in the wind chest.

The cheques were presented to the church by Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen.

"When I heard about the condition of the pipe organ, I decided to do something about it. The pipe organ is a beautiful gift of history, and it is our responsibility to preserve it," she said during her visit to the church.

The pipe organ is played every Saturday during mass and festivities such as Easter and Christmas.

The Assumption Pipe Organ Restoration/Rebuilding Committee chairman Claude Richard said the church was very grateful to the ministry, AirAsiaExpedia and The Star for helping it to restore the pipe organ.

"Now, it will be able to sing for generations to come," he said.

http://thestar.com.my/news/story.asp?file=/2012/7/18/nation/11675708&sec=nation

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

KB7DQH

http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/20120725185002/Article/




Quote GEORGE TOWN: AirAsia Expedia, the joint-venture between budget carrier Air Asia and US-based online travel company Expedia made its mark in Penang this month via a corporate sponsorship of an ageing pipe organ in George Town's Unesco heritage enclave.

The RM200,000 contribution from the company to the Church of Assumption for the restoration of a 98-year old pipe organ is the first sponsorship AirAsiaExpedia is making, ahead of its Malaysian launch by the end of this year.

"AirAsiaExpedia is extremely honoured to be involved in the restoration of the oldest pipe organ in Penang, and one of only a handful in Malaysia," AirAsiaExpedia chief executive officer Dan Lynn said during the cheque handover ceremony in Penang recently.

"Appreciating a city's heritage," he noted, "is one of the great privileges of travelling, and we hope that by preserving one of Penang's iconic cultural artifacts, we would encourage more travellers to visit this wonderful city."

Lynn also said AirAsiaExpedia will be launching Expedia.com.my in the coming months, and this gesture is in line with the company's long-term commitment and investment in Malaysia.

Star Foundation also contributed RM50,000 towards the organ's restoration, which is located in the loft of the 226 year-old Church of the Assumption in Lebuh Farqhuar.

The pipe organ, which is touted as the only pipe organ in a Malaysian Catholic church, was built in England in 1914 and erected inside the church two years later. No records exist of the organ's professional maintenance until 1972, when it had deteriorated to an almost unplayable state and has been maintained on a piece-meal basis without no continous financial support.

On its own, the church had managed to raise over RM20,000 through donation drives.

The money collected has put the church on track to foot the pipe organ's restoration bill expected to cost between RM280,000 and RM300,000.

Washington-based Expedia Inc has awarded charitable grants in the US to non-profit groups via its community grants programme, where some of its American employees are encouraged to nominate and vote on local charities to receive grants.

The company also promotes sustainable travel to World Heritage sites globally .


Read more: AirAsia Expedia sponsors pipe organ restoration http://www.btimes.com.my/articles/20120725185002/Article/#ixzz22AuuDijo

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

KB7DQH

http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/music-to-heal-ailing-old-lady-1.141846?cache=03D163D03edding-pred-1.1176%2F%3FpFpentwage63Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Frea-rti3D19.3D163D03edding-pred-1.1176%2F%3FpFpentwage63Dp%3A%2Fhe3D03Dn63Frea-rti3D19.111w5ii%2Fed-1.1176%2F%2F2.2525%2F2.2525%2F1.33120%2F7.184692%3Fkey%3D

Quote

GEORGE TOWN: A 300-strong congregation, a 50-member Penang Philharmonic Chorus and one organist came together to save the ailing "Old Lady" of the Church of the Assumption.

Leonard Selva Gurunathan performed on the organ and sang in the fund-raising concert at the 226-year-old church in Lebuh Farquhar.

The "Old Lady" in need of help is the church's 98-year-old pipe organ.

The one-hour concert titled "Seven Centuries of Choral Music" was organised by the Penang Philharmonic Chorus whose choirmaster is the renowned Martin Rutherford.

Under his skillful baton, Gurunathan and the chorus filled the church with hymns and music from through the ages.

The "Old Lady" is one of the rare few pipe organs in the country.

"Our cause is to restore the pipe organ to its former glory. Its plight has also received worldwide attention," said Rutherford to the congregation.

Midway through the concert, Gurunathan made his way up the spiral staircase to perform two pieces on his beloved pipe organ.

He played Bach's Sleepers Awake and his own composition Invention No. 1.

The church organist since 1998, Gurunathan knew the pipe organ like the back of his hand. Despite her ailing state, Gurunathan's loving hands coaxed the most mellifluous notes out of the Old Lady.

Rutherford urged the congregation to join in the singing of three hymns, to which they responded with feeling.

An estimated RM235,000 is needed to restore the pipe organ. Major contributions have recently come along and the "Old Lady" is well on the way back to the health and glory of her youth.



Eric
KB7DQH

The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

KB7DQH

Quote

07 December 2013| last updated at 09:25PM
'Old Lady' sings again



GEORGE TOWN: The almost century-old pipe organ at the Church of the Assumption is back from a six-month sojourn in England, where it received the restoration it sorely needed.

Fondly known as the "Old Lady", the pipe organ was built in 1914 by Morton & Moody of Oakham, England, and brought to the church in 1916.

Made of oak, pine and mahogany, the instrument boasts 640 pipes made of lead and zinc. For scores of years, it lent its rich notes to the parish choir from the loft of the church, which is located within the Unesco World Heritage Zone in George Town.

Over the years, however, the Old Lady , which is the oldest pipe organ found in a Catholic church in Malaysia, began to show its age.

The wood was infested with termites and rats and had to be replaced. The pipes had to be cleaned and the tuners atop each pipe had to be replaced.

In a labour of love, the church's former choir master and organ curator Ian Campbell and a band of dedicated and enthusiastic helpers saw to the Old Lady's care as it began ail and decline.

"It breaks our hearts to see the Old Lady slowly dying," Gurunathan was quoted as saying when its keys began to get stuck, its trackers jam and its wind chest leak.

The turning point for its proper restoration occurred last year, when Gurunathan appealed to then Tourism Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ng Yen Yen for assistance. Her efforts helped to boost the fund set up to restore the organ.

Khanazah Nasional Bhd subsidiary Think City Sdn Bhd was among those stepping up with a generous donation towards the restoration effort.

The recent consecration of the restored organ by Penang Bishop Sebastian Francis at the church was an emotional moment for Campbell, Gurunatan and the current choir master Claude Richars.

"We are moved by all the support received. The Old Lady has been infused with new life and is ready to ring in more songs of praise and thanksgiving to God this Christmas and beyond," said Gurunathan.

"Our heartfelt gratitude to the corporate sponsors, fellow parishioners and all who have helped to save the pipe organ -- we will always remember this," he added. By Marina Emmanuel

Read more: 'Old Lady' sings again - Northern - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/streets/northern/old-lady-sings-again-1.424065#ixzz2mw5G4ndw

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."