John Robinson

Nice to see a Larigot! They seem to be rather unpopular these days for some reason. After all, it can't be a space problem!

The wife and I are going to see Anna Lapwood at Manchester Cathedral in a few weeks. She is an excellent example of young people who are going to resurrect interest in the organ in this country. Jonathan Scott is another very impressive organist who can really make the organ sound as if it's being played by TWO organists!

Excellent news, and I hope that this support by HM may encourage more people to take an interest in the organ, both playing and construction. Sadly, compared to such places as Holland and Germany, this country seems to have little interest in the instrument in many quarters. I have tried to inculcate an interest in the instrument when teaching at primary school, though I have no idea now how successful that may have been. Perhaps the King will meet with more success.

Very interesting discussion. I wonder how this affects 16' reeds, though I'm not sure whether anyone would use more than one at the same time.

I agree. I'd rather have a quinted 32' than an electronic substitute.

Well said, Contrabombarde. I do agree that 'toasters' have their place, especially as home practice instruments for example. I'd just like to add that I wonder how many serious musicians would prefer to listen to an electronic piano or electronic violin at a formal recital.

Everyone is entitle to his or her opinion. Personally, I cannot bring myself to refer to a change of note over several days, or even weeks, as music. Of course, if some of you enjoy listening to Cage's infamous piece which follows this 'style', I which you enjoyable listening!

Something which changes and progresses far more quickly... in fact, preferably in less than a day! Can you hum along to this particular 'piece', for example? 🤣

I agree with others. Listening to the recordings on the same speakers or headphones, using the same amplifier, using the same electronic transmission, etc, etc, they are both going to sound very similar. Quite apart from attempting to reproduce the real thing, there is also the matter of benefiting from having the real thing in more ways than just the sound. Similarly, you could wear a cheap cubic zirconia ring and tell everyone that it's a diamond. It might look the part, but is it really? Alternatively, have a small electric car and imagine that you are driving around in a Rolls-Royce, but of course you are not!

Cage! What a load of absolute nonsense this so-called piece of 'music' is.

Like Adh, I am not an organist (my fingers and feet have a life of their own and prefer to do their own thing), but have had a lifelong interest in the organ (the real thing; not toasters). I enjoy planning specifications and producing accurate diagrams of 'dream organs' which, admittedly, are never likely to be built, though could theoretically be (with unlimited funds!). Consequently, I find such discussions on here not only very interesting, but also helpful.

I agree completely with this. On the Continent, sensible people have retained and maintained many historic organs. In the UK, however, the trend has been to 'update' and improve our instruments. I can see both points of view: one is to preserve history, the other is to change for the better. I suppose that there are many more historic organs on the Continent, if we reserve 'historic' to be pre-20th century or even pre-19th century. I suppose the argument is, do we want to keep working examples of original organs, which can never be replaced, or do we want organs which change according to the changing musical tastes?

A very interesting, and lengthy list. I had to search for the name Francis Jackson, as I had heard mention that he was not in favour of such things, but no. It appears that he was never offered the knighthood that many have suggested might have been offered. Obviously, he wasn't one of the 'clique'!

What a very helpful source of recorded organ music.

The new Nave division is behind the perforated area of the case beneath the west front display pipes, where I understand the West Great was sited.