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{{Short description|Australian organ builder (1929–2021)}}
'''Ronald William Sharp''' (born 1929) is an [[pipe organ|organ]] builder based in [[Sydney]], [[Australia]]. For his organ building, he was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal (1977) and the [[British Empire Medal]] (1980).
{{Use Australian English|date=December 2019}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=December 2019}}
{{Infobox person
| name = Ronald Sharp<!-- use common name/article title -->
| honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=UK|sep=,|BEM}}
| image = <!-- filename only, no "File:" or "Image:" prefix, and no enclosing [[brackets]] -->
| alt = <!-- descriptive text for use by speech synthesis (text-to-speech) software -->
| caption =
| birth_name = <!-- only use if different from name -->
| birth_date = {{birth date|1929|8|8|df=y}}
| birth_place = {{NSWcity|Kogarah}}, [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]
| death_date = {{death date and age|2021|07|21|1929|8|8|df=y}}
| death_place = [[Sydney]], [[New South Wales]]
| nationality = [[Australian people|Australian]]
| other_names =
| occupation = [[pipe organ|Organ]] builder
| years_active =
| known_for =
| notable_works = {{bulleted list|{{nowrap|[[Sydney Opera House Grand Organ]]}}|[[Knox Grammar School]] organ|[[Perth Concert Hall, Western Australia|Perth Concert Hall]] organ|[[St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney]] organ|[[St John the Baptist Church, Reid]] organ|[[Canberra School of Music]] organ }}
| awards = {{bulleted list|[[Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal|Silver Jubilee Medal]] (1977)|[[British Empire Medal]] (1980)}}
}}
'''Ronald William Sharp''' {{post-nominals|country=UK|sep=,|BEM}} (8 August 1929 – 21 July 2021) was an Australian [[pipe organ|organ]] builder. He was awarded the [[Queen Elizabeth II Silver Jubilee Medal|Silver Jubilee Medal]] (1977) and the [[British Empire Medal]] (1980). <ref>{{cite web |title=Opera House organ maker filled hall with 'swirling sound' |url=https://www.smh.com.au/national/opera-house-organ-maker-filled-hall-with-swirling-sound-20210505-p57p54.html |publisher=Sydney Morning Herald |access-date=6 October 2021}}</ref>


He was self-taught and built his first organ in 1960.<ref>{{GroveOnline|title=Ronald Sharp|author=W.D. Jordan|access-date=January 13, 2014}}</ref> He specialised in mechanical, [[tracker action]] instruments, and was responsible for re-introducing mechanical action to Australia after it had been out of fashion for many years due to the convenience of electronic action. His tracker action [[baroque organ]]s are particularly famous. Although sometimes criticised as having a unique and characteristic tonal design, rather than an authentic "organ" tone, this tone has come to be much appreciated by some authorities and players.{{refneeded|date=January 2014}}
Sharp was self-taught and built his first organ in 1960.<ref>{{Cite Grove |last=Jordan |first=W. D. |title=Ronald Sharp}}</ref> He specialised in mechanical, [[tracker action]] instruments, and was responsible for re-introducing mechanical action to Australia after it had been out of fashion for many years due to the convenience of electrical action. His tracker action [[baroque organ]]s are particularly famous. Although sometimes criticised as having a unique and characteristic tonal design, rather than an authentic "organ" tone, this tone has come to be much appreciated by some authorities and players.{{citation needed|date=January 2014}}


==Notable organs==
==Notable organs==


*[[Sydney Opera House Grand Organ]], believed to be the largest mechanical-action organ in the world.<ref>"[http://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/australia/new-south-wales/sydney/articles/Sydney-Opera-House-40-fascinating-facts/ Sydney Opera House: 40 fascinating facts]" ''The Telegraph'', 24 October 2013, retrieved 19 October 2017</ref> It boasts a grand 5 manuals and 131 speaking stops, 4 stops more that Sydney's other notably large organ within Sydney Town Hall. It is 16 metres high, 13 metres wide, a total of 8 metres deep and weighs 37.5 tonnes. The four largest pipes of the Prinzipal 32' hang on the rear wall and weigh an additional 6 tonnes. Its format, such as the stop and manual names, like most of his other constructions, are German in nature. Ronald Sharp was recommended to be the organ builder for this job by the English organist and organ consultant for this job, [[Peter Hurford]]. Hurford's admiration for him had been won by the construction of the Knox Grammar School's organ on which Hurford had done a recording. Many people doubted that such a huge pipe organ, as proposed by Sharp, particularly one using mechanical key action, could be built by him – or anybody. Controversy raged throughout the construction years, until finally Sharp’s magnum opus was completed at a cost of A$1.2 million, under the supervision of the NSW Department of Public Works, which was also responsible for supervising the construction of the Sydney Opera House. The Department handed over the completed instrument to the Opera House Trust on 30 May 1979 and the opening recital was on 7 June 1979.
*[[Sydney Opera House Grand Organ]]{{spaced endash}}believed to be the largest mechanical-action organ in the world.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/travel/destinations/oceania/australia/new-south-wales/sydney/articles/Sydney-Opera-House-40-fascinating-facts/ |title=Sydney Opera House: 40 fascinating facts |work=The Telegraph |location=United Kingdom |date=24 October 2013 |access-date=19 October 2017 }}</ref> It boasts a grand 5 manuals and 131 speaking stops, 4 stops more than Sydney's other notably large organ, in Sydney Town Hall. It is {{convert|16|m}} high, {{convert|13|m}} wide, a total of {{convert|8|m}} deep and weighs {{convert|37.5|t}}. The four largest pipes of the Prinzipal 32' hang on the rear wall and weigh an additional 6 tonnes. Its format, such as the stop and manual names, like most of his other constructions, are German in nature. Sharp was recommended to be the organ builder for this job by the English organist and organ consultant, [[Peter Hurford]]. Hurford's admiration for him had been won by the construction of the Knox Grammar School's organ on which Hurford had made a recording. Many people doubted that such a huge pipe organ, as proposed by Sharp, particularly one using mechanical key action, could be built by him – or anybody. Controversy raged throughout the construction years, until finally Sharp’s magnum opus was completed, at a cost of A$1.2 million, under the supervision of the NSW Department of Public Works, which was also responsible for supervising construction of the Sydney Opera House. The Department handed over the completed instrument to the Opera House Trust on 30 May 1979 and the opening recital was on 7 June 1979.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/art-and-design/a-mini-plot-in-saga-of-the-opera-house-20091125-gdttbu.html |title=A mini-plot in saga of the Opera House |work=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=25 November 2009 |access-date=9 December 2019 }}</ref>
*[[Knox Grammar School]] organ{{spaced endash}}located within the War Memorial Chapel. Well known throughout Australia and the world by its many recordings some of which, as mentioned above, performed by English Organist Peter Hurford. This instrument has the distinction of being the first major modern mechanical action organ in the country. It is a Classical style organ, with 3 manuals, 31 speaking stops, 1 coupler, opened in 1965.

*Ormond College Organ{{spaced endash}}altered from his design in 1992 and no longer regarded as an authentic Sharp.
*[[Knox Grammar School]] organ, located within the War Memorial Chapel. Well known throughout Australia and the world by its many recordings some of which, as mentioned above, performed by English Organist Peter Hurford. This instrument contains the distinction of being the first major modern mechanical action organ in the country. It is a Classical style organ, with 3 manuals, 31 speaking stops, 1 coupler, opened in 1965.
*[[Perth Concert Hall, Western Australia|Perth Concert Hall]] organ{{spaced endash}}opened in January 1973 along with the Concert Hall however at the time only the front pipes had been installed. It possesses mechanical key action and electric stop action. It contains 3000 pipes of which 66 are visible from the auditorium. It is regarded as his second-largest concert organ after the Sydney Opera House.
*Ormond College Organ, altered from his design in 1992 and no longer regarded as an authentic Sharp.
*[[St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney]] organ{{spaced endash}}located in the triforium above the chancel intended as a two manual sixteen stop choir organ but never completed. Construction began in 1960 and was discontinued in 1971 with only two pedal stops (16' and 4') and fourteen manual stops installed. The current choir organ was completed by Orgues Létourneau in 1999 and is located in the Western Transept Gallery. It has 3 manuals and 46 speaking stops. Whilst it was made by French organ builders it was designated by the Organist at that time, Peter Kneeshaw, to be an English style organ suitable for accompanying the choir. Whereas the Whitehouse organ in the Southern Gallery was intended to be replaced with a much larger French style organ containing many more speaking stops for the solo recitals. This organ, however, was not installed in the end as the original intent was, due to unforeseeable complications. In spite of this, the choir organ is still quite an impressive instrument in its own right and is quite suitable for teaching lessons and small recitals on top of accompanying the choir. This was his first commission as an organ builder.
*[[Perth Concert Hall, Western Australia|Perth Concert Hall]] organ, opened in January 1973 along with the Concert Hall however at the time only the front pipes had been installed. It posses mechanical key action and electric stop action. It contains 3000 pipes of which 66 are visible from the auditorium. It is regarded as his second-largest concert organ after the Sydney Opera House.
*[[St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney]], organ in the triforium above the chancel intended as a two manual sixteen stop choir organ but never completed. Construction began in 1960 and was discontinued in 1971 with only two pedal stops (16' and 4') and fourteen manual stops installed. The current choir organ was completed by Orgues Létourneau in 1999 and is located in the Western Transept Gallery. It has 3 manuals and 46 speaking stops. Whilst it was made by French organ builders it was designated by the Organist at that time, Peter Kneeshaw, to be an English style organ suitable for accompanying the choir. Whereas the Whitehouse organ in the Southern Gallery was intended to be replaced with a much larger French style organ containing many more speaking stops for the solo recitals. This organ, however, was not installed in the end as the original intent was, due to unforeseeable complications. In spite of this, the choir organ is still quite an impressive instrument in its own rights and is quite suitable for teaching lessons and small recitals on top of accompanying the choir. This was his first commission as an organ builder.
*A small practice organ in the home of Norman Johnston, 1964.
*A small practice organ in the home of Norman Johnston, 1964.
*[[Wollongong Town Hall]]. A notable instrument within the Australian ''Orgelbewegung.'' It, alongside the Knox Grammar School organ and the King's School in Parramatta, stand as a turning point for the movement. It was a great success by Ronald Sharp. Unlike many Continental and North American Organ builders at the time, who were producing organs often of an excessively shrill tone colour, Sharp was able to impart a singing and refined tone to this and many other magnificent instruments that he built. It possesses two manuals and pedal with mechanical action with 22 speaking stops and completed in 1968.
*[[Wollongong Town Hall]]{{spaced endash}}a notable instrument within the Australian ''Orgelbewegung.'' It, alongside the Knox Grammar School organ and the King's School in Parramatta, stand as a turning point for the movement. It was a great success by Ronald Sharp. Unlike many Continental and North American Organ builders at the time, who were producing organs often of an excessively shrill tone colour, Sharp was able to impart a singing and refined tone to this and many other magnificent instruments that he built. It possesses two manuals and pedal with mechanical action with 22 speaking stops and completed in 1968.
*[[St John the Baptist Church, Reid]], A two manual and pedal mechanical action organ. Its case, a joy to behold, is constructed from Western Australian [[jarrah]], and the front burnished pipes are 75% tin. St John's is Canberra's oldest church. In addition to this, this organ was Ronald Sharp's last major instrument.
*[[St John the Baptist Church, Reid]]{{spaced endash}}a two manual and pedal mechanical action organ. Its case, a joy to behold, is constructed from Western Australian [[jarrah]], and the front burnished pipes are 75% tin. St John's is Canberra's oldest church. In addition to this, this organ was Ronald Sharp's last major instrument.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://ohta.org.au/organs/organs/CanberraSharp.html |title=St John's Anglican Church, Reid, Canberra |publisher=[[Organ Historical Trust of Australia]] |date=2006 |access-date=9 December 2019 }}</ref>
*[[Canberra School of Music]], a one-manual seven stop portable organ.
*[[Canberra School of Music]]{{spaced endash}}a one-manual seven stop portable organ.


==References==
==References==
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharp, Ronald}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sharp, Ronald}}
[[Category:Pipe organ builders]]
[[Category:Australian pipe organ builders]]
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:1929 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:2021 deaths]]
[[Category:Recipients of the British Empire Medal]]
[[Category:Australian recipients of the British Empire Medal]]
[[Category:People from Sydney]]

{{Australia-bio-stub}}

Revision as of 05:34, 2 February 2024

Ronald Sharp
Born(1929-08-08)8 August 1929
Died21 July 2021(2021-07-21) (aged 91)
NationalityAustralian
OccupationOrgan builder
Notable work
Awards

Ronald William Sharp BEM (8 August 1929 – 21 July 2021) was an Australian organ builder. He was awarded the Silver Jubilee Medal (1977) and the British Empire Medal (1980). [1]

Sharp was self-taught and built his first organ in 1960.[2] He specialised in mechanical, tracker action instruments, and was responsible for re-introducing mechanical action to Australia after it had been out of fashion for many years due to the convenience of electrical action. His tracker action baroque organs are particularly famous. Although sometimes criticised as having a unique and characteristic tonal design, rather than an authentic "organ" tone, this tone has come to be much appreciated by some authorities and players.[citation needed]

Notable organs

  • Sydney Opera House Grand Organ – believed to be the largest mechanical-action organ in the world.[3] It boasts a grand 5 manuals and 131 speaking stops, 4 stops more than Sydney's other notably large organ, in Sydney Town Hall. It is 16 metres (52 ft) high, 13 metres (43 ft) wide, a total of 8 metres (26 ft) deep and weighs 37.5 tonnes (36.9 long tons; 41.3 short tons). The four largest pipes of the Prinzipal 32' hang on the rear wall and weigh an additional 6 tonnes. Its format, such as the stop and manual names, like most of his other constructions, are German in nature. Sharp was recommended to be the organ builder for this job by the English organist and organ consultant, Peter Hurford. Hurford's admiration for him had been won by the construction of the Knox Grammar School's organ on which Hurford had made a recording. Many people doubted that such a huge pipe organ, as proposed by Sharp, particularly one using mechanical key action, could be built by him – or anybody. Controversy raged throughout the construction years, until finally Sharp’s magnum opus was completed, at a cost of A$1.2 million, under the supervision of the NSW Department of Public Works, which was also responsible for supervising construction of the Sydney Opera House. The Department handed over the completed instrument to the Opera House Trust on 30 May 1979 and the opening recital was on 7 June 1979.[4]
  • Knox Grammar School organ – located within the War Memorial Chapel. Well known throughout Australia and the world by its many recordings some of which, as mentioned above, performed by English Organist Peter Hurford. This instrument has the distinction of being the first major modern mechanical action organ in the country. It is a Classical style organ, with 3 manuals, 31 speaking stops, 1 coupler, opened in 1965.
  • Ormond College Organ – altered from his design in 1992 and no longer regarded as an authentic Sharp.
  • Perth Concert Hall organ – opened in January 1973 along with the Concert Hall however at the time only the front pipes had been installed. It possesses mechanical key action and electric stop action. It contains 3000 pipes of which 66 are visible from the auditorium. It is regarded as his second-largest concert organ after the Sydney Opera House.
  • St Mary's Cathedral, Sydney organ – located in the triforium above the chancel intended as a two manual sixteen stop choir organ but never completed. Construction began in 1960 and was discontinued in 1971 with only two pedal stops (16' and 4') and fourteen manual stops installed. The current choir organ was completed by Orgues Létourneau in 1999 and is located in the Western Transept Gallery. It has 3 manuals and 46 speaking stops. Whilst it was made by French organ builders it was designated by the Organist at that time, Peter Kneeshaw, to be an English style organ suitable for accompanying the choir. Whereas the Whitehouse organ in the Southern Gallery was intended to be replaced with a much larger French style organ containing many more speaking stops for the solo recitals. This organ, however, was not installed in the end as the original intent was, due to unforeseeable complications. In spite of this, the choir organ is still quite an impressive instrument in its own right and is quite suitable for teaching lessons and small recitals on top of accompanying the choir. This was his first commission as an organ builder.
  • A small practice organ in the home of Norman Johnston, 1964.
  • Wollongong Town Hall – a notable instrument within the Australian Orgelbewegung. It, alongside the Knox Grammar School organ and the King's School in Parramatta, stand as a turning point for the movement. It was a great success by Ronald Sharp. Unlike many Continental and North American Organ builders at the time, who were producing organs often of an excessively shrill tone colour, Sharp was able to impart a singing and refined tone to this and many other magnificent instruments that he built. It possesses two manuals and pedal with mechanical action with 22 speaking stops and completed in 1968.
  • St John the Baptist Church, Reid – a two manual and pedal mechanical action organ. Its case, a joy to behold, is constructed from Western Australian jarrah, and the front burnished pipes are 75% tin. St John's is Canberra's oldest church. In addition to this, this organ was Ronald Sharp's last major instrument.[5]
  • Canberra School of Music – a one-manual seven stop portable organ.

References

  1. ^ "Opera House organ maker filled hall with 'swirling sound'". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
  2. ^ Jordan, W. D. (2001). "Ronald Sharp". In Sadie, Stanley; Tyrrell, John (eds.). The New Grove Dictionary of Music and Musicians (2nd ed.). London: Macmillan Publishers. ISBN 978-1-56159-239-5.
  3. ^ "Sydney Opera House: 40 fascinating facts". The Telegraph. United Kingdom. 24 October 2013. Retrieved 19 October 2017.
  4. ^ "A mini-plot in saga of the Opera House". The Sydney Morning Herald. 25 November 2009. Retrieved 9 December 2019.
  5. ^ "St John's Anglican Church, Reid, Canberra". Organ Historical Trust of Australia. 2006. Retrieved 9 December 2019.