A historic legacy lives on in Geelong's organs

GEELONG is home to a surprising number of historic pipe organs, including one at Basilica of St Mary of the Angels, where organist Frank De Rosso has spent most of his musical life.

De Rosso, who has been playing the organ at St Mary’s since he was 17, began by learning the piano, a common pathway for organists given the instrument’s technical complexity.

“It’s pretty hard to start on the organ as the first instrument,” he said. “The piano gives you the skills and the particular technique required.”

His father also played the organ at St Mary’s and founded the choir, which still performs more than 70 years on.

The Basilica’s organ is far from ordinary.

Every organ is unique in sound, maker and stops, giving each audience a unique soundscape to experience. Photo: Supplied.

De Rosso said the building has had more than one instrument over time, with the original likely installed before 1900, and the current organ moved, dismantled, refurbished and expanded in 2004.

It is a niche craft to maintain, with specialist builders and technicians needed to keep it working. During its last move, the organ was out of action for about six months while a Melbourne team relocated and restored it.

“It’s quite an honour to play such an instrument,” De Rosso said, describing it as “like conducting an orchestra”.

He said the organ’s strength lies in its variety and clarity, with different stops creating a wide range of sounds.

He encouraged people to experience the various organs being played around Geelong, explaining no two organs are the same.

The organ at St Mary of the Angels in Geelong was relocated, refurbished and enlarged in 2004. Photo: Supplied.

“They’re very accessible to listen to,” De Rosso said. “I would encourage people to come along.”

While pipe organs can seem old-fashioned, De Rosso is confident the art form is not fading, with young people continuing to find interest in the instrument.

Recent concerts featuring contemporary music, social media and digital organs have helped to facilitate this space for younger audiences.

“The best way [to gain interest] is to have people exposed to the music,” De Rosso said.

He said Geelong has several organs across its churches and schools, including an 1884 Fincham organ at Sacred Heart College, which is among the oldest in the region.

The basilica will host free organ recitals later this year, with De Rosso continuing to lead a tradition that links Geelong’s musical present to its historic past.