St. Cejtan Parish Church, Ħamrun
About the Organ
The choir organ in St. Gaetan Parish Church, Hamrun was installed by Ing Robert Buhagiar in 2013. The organ was built by the German organ building firm Willbrand in the early 1970's. Ing. Buhagiar brought the organ to Malta in 2006 and was employed as a mobile continuo organ for various high-profile concerts, amongst which the Stabat Mater at St. John's Co-Cathedral conducted by Mro Riccardo Muti. In early 2013 the organ was purchased by St. Gaetan Parish Church to serve as a choir organ. Ing Buhagiar overhauled the organ and installed it in its current location in St. Gaetan church. The organ has one manual with 5 stops voiced in the baroque style. It has a very sensitive mechanical action.
History
The parish church dedicated to St Cajetan of Thiene in Ħamrun, designed by Prof. George Schinas, was built in the early 1870s. The design of the façade of the church is dominated by a classical Palladian-style front flanked by imposing bell-towers.
The bell-towers are considered unusual and unique on the island. Beginning below the level of the pediment is what can be considered as the base of the bell-towers which are plain other than the quoins at the corners of the structure giving the impression of strength. However, at the level of the pediment there is a sudden shift towards highly articulated design with the two tiered level superstructure above composed of superimposed freestanding columns.
The dome of the church was designed by Andrea Vassallo who, in the 1920s, won a design competition. However, its construction did not eventuate until after his death when architect Guzè Damato was given Vassallo’s original design to prepare working drawings and also oversee its construction.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority scheduled the parish church as a Grade 1 monument.
The bell-towers are considered unusual and unique on the island. Beginning below the level of the pediment is what can be considered as the base of the bell-towers which are plain other than the quoins at the corners of the structure giving the impression of strength. However, at the level of the pediment there is a sudden shift towards highly articulated design with the two tiered level superstructure above composed of superimposed freestanding columns.
The dome of the church was designed by Andrea Vassallo who, in the 1920s, won a design competition. However, its construction did not eventuate until after his death when architect Guzè Damato was given Vassallo’s original design to prepare working drawings and also oversee its construction.
The Malta Environment and Planning Authority scheduled the parish church as a Grade 1 monument.
