Ronald Sharp | |
|---|---|
| Born | 8 August 1929 |
| Died | 21 July 2021 (aged 91) |
| Nationality | Australian |
| Occupation | Organ builder |
| Notable work | |
| Awards |
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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 born in Kogarah, son of merchant seaman William Sharp and his wife Florence Sharp, née Dumpleton, a dressmaker. His father died sometime around 1936. He was taught to play piano by a grandmother.[2]
Sharp was self-taught and built his first organ in 1960.[3] 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]
- ^ "Opera House organ maker filled hall with 'swirling sound'". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 6 October 2021.
- ^ Malcolm Brown (28 July 2021). "Opera House organ maker filled hall with 'swirling sound'". Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 19 June 2021.
- ^ 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.