Xewkija Parish Church, Gozo
About the Organ
The Noel Gallo & Michael Farley Organ
In Xewkija Rotunda a new organ was installed in the Autumn of 2016, blessed on Advent Sunday, 27th November, by His Lordship Mgr. Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, in the presence of Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, Dr. Anton Refalo, the Minister for Gozo and other dignitaries. It was than inaugurated on the 6th of May 2017.
The journey started in 2012 when the electronic organ became troublesome which prompted the Church administration to explore possibilities of providing a new pipe organ. Mr. Noel Gallo, a Maltese internationally-renowned Organ Architect, was entrusted to design and co-ordinate the building of the instrument which was built by Michael Farley, Organ Builders from Budleigh Salterton, Devon. U.K.
A pipe organ in this building had to be custom designed especially for the architectural appearance as well as musical considerations with specific design of the internal parts and their location.
Despite the spacious building, finding a position for an organ which would be suitable both architecturally and tonally was not easy. Noel Gallo first began considering ideas in 2012 in consultation with the Archpriest Mgr. Carmelo Mercieca and Fr. George Mercieca. Early designs included two suspended organ lofts either side of the Altar together with the present central position which, although magnificent in appearance, would have been prohibitive cost wise and also posed diffi culties for maintenance access.
After much discussion, thought and many drawings the present site was chosen. Because space was so limited it was agreed that the room and corridor beneath could be utilised to house ancillary equipment blowers, bellows, wind trunking etc, and the glass doors now enable visitors to see this equipment. Allowing access to the underside of the main windchests from underneath enabled maximum room for pipework above but more importantly the height could be reduced and the case carefully designed around the painting of Christ.
Cherry wood finished with Danish oil has been used for the case and the display pipes of polished and lacquered zinc. The consoles are also of cherry with white maple interiors. The smaller one manual console has 12 presets of selected stops from the main organ and can be portable when the need arises.
All the sounds are produced from traditional organ pipes made from lead, tin,zinc and wood – 1204 in all, including 101 display pipes, 50 of which speak. There are 25 tubular bells.
The instrument contains the latest technology for the player and also a recording device enabling music to be captured and played back via a tablet. This will be especially useful if organists are not available as music can be pre-recorded and used whenever required.
In Xewkija Rotunda a new organ was installed in the Autumn of 2016, blessed on Advent Sunday, 27th November, by His Lordship Mgr. Mario Grech, Bishop of Gozo, in the presence of Her Excellency Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta, Dr. Anton Refalo, the Minister for Gozo and other dignitaries. It was than inaugurated on the 6th of May 2017.
The journey started in 2012 when the electronic organ became troublesome which prompted the Church administration to explore possibilities of providing a new pipe organ. Mr. Noel Gallo, a Maltese internationally-renowned Organ Architect, was entrusted to design and co-ordinate the building of the instrument which was built by Michael Farley, Organ Builders from Budleigh Salterton, Devon. U.K.
A pipe organ in this building had to be custom designed especially for the architectural appearance as well as musical considerations with specific design of the internal parts and their location.
Despite the spacious building, finding a position for an organ which would be suitable both architecturally and tonally was not easy. Noel Gallo first began considering ideas in 2012 in consultation with the Archpriest Mgr. Carmelo Mercieca and Fr. George Mercieca. Early designs included two suspended organ lofts either side of the Altar together with the present central position which, although magnificent in appearance, would have been prohibitive cost wise and also posed diffi culties for maintenance access.
After much discussion, thought and many drawings the present site was chosen. Because space was so limited it was agreed that the room and corridor beneath could be utilised to house ancillary equipment blowers, bellows, wind trunking etc, and the glass doors now enable visitors to see this equipment. Allowing access to the underside of the main windchests from underneath enabled maximum room for pipework above but more importantly the height could be reduced and the case carefully designed around the painting of Christ.
Cherry wood finished with Danish oil has been used for the case and the display pipes of polished and lacquered zinc. The consoles are also of cherry with white maple interiors. The smaller one manual console has 12 presets of selected stops from the main organ and can be portable when the need arises.
All the sounds are produced from traditional organ pipes made from lead, tin,zinc and wood – 1204 in all, including 101 display pipes, 50 of which speak. There are 25 tubular bells.
The instrument contains the latest technology for the player and also a recording device enabling music to be captured and played back via a tablet. This will be especially useful if organists are not available as music can be pre-recorded and used whenever required.
History
The Xewkija Rotunda (Parish Church of St. John the Baptist)
Xewkija’s Rotunda is the biggest church in Gozo and boasts the third largest unsupported dome in the world.
Ix-Xewkija is one of the oldest villages of Gozo and took the status of a parish as early as 1678. Years later a parish church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was erected, and consecrated in 1755. Aft er the 2nd World War, the parishioners traditionally known for their building skills and craftsmanship in Maltese stone expressed their wish to construct a new and majestic Parish Church. The Architect was Joseph D’Amato.
The first stone was laid in 1951. The old church of St. John was left in place during the work and continued to function until the new building was completed. Many donations were offered, as well as free labour from skilled craftsmen. This enabled the enormous structure to rise higher year by year - twenty years of hard work, the new church was ready.
The year 1978 was the 300th anniversary of the parish and the Bishop of Gozo performed the ceremony of consecration on what is now universally known as The Rotunda. As part of the celebrations, the large cross was placed on top of the huge dome.
The monumental church is an enormous circular structure (hence its name) in white local limestone. Eight concrete columns covered with stone support its elegant dome, 75 metres high, with a 28 metre diameter, a circumference of 85 metres and a weight estimated at around 45,000 tonnes. The interior is decorated with fi ne sculptures and modern paintings. The floor is in polished Carrara marble and the main altar is also carved in precious marble.
The Rotunda of Ix-Xewkija is a superb architectural masterpiece that reveals the exquisite texture and the versatility of local limestone and the skill of local craftsmen.
Just before the Rotunda was completed, the old church was carefully dismantled, and the best parts of it delicately rebuilt next to the new church. One can visit the remnants of the old church (now known as The Sculpture Museum) and discover the incredibly delicate lacework on some of the old Maltese stone. From the Sculpture Museum, visitors can take a lift up to the Dome to enjoy spectacular views of the island of Gozo and as far a field as Malta.
The feast of St. John the Baptist falls on 24th June, and the festa is celebrated on the closest Sunday.
Xewkija’s Rotunda is the biggest church in Gozo and boasts the third largest unsupported dome in the world.
Ix-Xewkija is one of the oldest villages of Gozo and took the status of a parish as early as 1678. Years later a parish church, dedicated to St. John the Baptist, was erected, and consecrated in 1755. Aft er the 2nd World War, the parishioners traditionally known for their building skills and craftsmanship in Maltese stone expressed their wish to construct a new and majestic Parish Church. The Architect was Joseph D’Amato.
The first stone was laid in 1951. The old church of St. John was left in place during the work and continued to function until the new building was completed. Many donations were offered, as well as free labour from skilled craftsmen. This enabled the enormous structure to rise higher year by year - twenty years of hard work, the new church was ready.
The year 1978 was the 300th anniversary of the parish and the Bishop of Gozo performed the ceremony of consecration on what is now universally known as The Rotunda. As part of the celebrations, the large cross was placed on top of the huge dome.
The monumental church is an enormous circular structure (hence its name) in white local limestone. Eight concrete columns covered with stone support its elegant dome, 75 metres high, with a 28 metre diameter, a circumference of 85 metres and a weight estimated at around 45,000 tonnes. The interior is decorated with fi ne sculptures and modern paintings. The floor is in polished Carrara marble and the main altar is also carved in precious marble.
The Rotunda of Ix-Xewkija is a superb architectural masterpiece that reveals the exquisite texture and the versatility of local limestone and the skill of local craftsmen.
Just before the Rotunda was completed, the old church was carefully dismantled, and the best parts of it delicately rebuilt next to the new church. One can visit the remnants of the old church (now known as The Sculpture Museum) and discover the incredibly delicate lacework on some of the old Maltese stone. From the Sculpture Museum, visitors can take a lift up to the Dome to enjoy spectacular views of the island of Gozo and as far a field as Malta.
The feast of St. John the Baptist falls on 24th June, and the festa is celebrated on the closest Sunday.