Kaohsiung/TWN, National Kaohsiung Center for the Arts

The new organ: Symphonic Organ on the left, Classic Organ on the right

Beginning in 2006, the largest cultural center in Asia has been developed and built in the heart of Kaohsiung, a 3-million city on the southwestern tip of Taiwan. On the site of a former barracks, Dutch architect Francine Houben, creative director of Mecanoo architects, designed a building complex comprising concert hall (2000 seats), opera house (2260 seats), playhouse (1250 seats), chamber music hall (470 seats), several congress halls, rehearsal rooms, public library and an open-air amphitheater under (and on) one roof. The built up area is 141,000 m², the equal of about 13 German National League soccer fields.

 

Symphonic Organ

While the swinging roof construction is reminiscent of the treetops of the local Banyan trees, the organ facade is meant to refer to the also typical bamboo trees. In addition to the function rooms, an open plaza forms a shady meeting place in the subtropical climate of the port city.

 

Classic Organ

Olivier Latry, titular organist at the Paris Cathedral Notre-Dame, acted as consultant for the general contractor (Mecanoo). The large organ of the twin instrument follows the sound aesthetics of French Romanticism, the small instrument rather German-Baroque models. Both instruments are not style copies in the true sense, but interpret their archetypes from our contemporary position. Both instruments feature modern equal temperament so they can be played together.

 

Stage Console

The twin organ has three consoles. The attached console at the symphonic organ and the stage console are largely identical in terms of layout and equipment. From both consoles, both organs can be played. In addition, the baroque organ has its own attached console.

 

Mechanical Console of the Symphonic Organ

Both instruments have mechanical key and electric stop action. The stage console of course, has got eloectric action for both, key and stop action.

 

Mechanical Console of the Classic Organ

With a total of 127 stops and 9,085 pipes, the twin organ of the National Kaohsiung Center for the Art is not only the largest pipe organ in Asia, but also our Magnum Opus.

 

Olivier Latry during Acceptance Procedure

"Bamboo Forest" of the Symphonic Organ

View down from the position of the horizontal Chamades

The festive inauguration of concert hall and organ took place October 10 through 14, 2018. The inaugural organ recital was played by Iveta Apkalna. Since then, there have been regular organ recitals with world renowned artists at the console(s).

 

British Organist Jonathan Scott, June 14, 2019

 

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