DaveHarries

Do us all a favour: get your coat. Dave

Mistake corrected. Glad it caused amusement. Dave

Didn't know there was a hymn tune called Breslau. The city of Wroclaw is one I have visited a few times because my older brother, his wife and my nephew live there. Heavily damaged in the war but so thoroughly restored that there isn't much evidence of the war having ever reached the city. Superb place to spend, at the very least, a weekend but you will certainly find - as I do: I can go there but I hate leaving - that a weekend is not enough. Go if you get the chance. Superb city. I have some photos: http://davespix.fotopic.net/c1529295.html Dave

I thought these clips might be worth sharing. The first one was recorded in the Jarhunderthalle (Centennial Hall) in Breslau - now Wroclaw - in Poland. The organ was first installed in 1911 by Sauer. It had 5 manuals, 200 stops & 15,133 pipes but this was enlarged in 1937 to 5 manuals, 222 stops and 16,706 pipes. After WW2 the organ was broken up with the greater part now forming the 5 manual, 150-stop, 13,207-pipe organ in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist, Wroclaw, Poland. Most of the organ sits on a balcony but the pipes of 25 stops are housed in the Sanctuary of the Cathedral. The original console survives with all 222 stop tabs intact despite only 150 of those tabs working. I do not know what happened to the remaining 22 stops and 1573 pipes: were they made / incorporated into another organ elsewhere. Anyone know? The recording was made by Gerhard Zeggert on 09th January 1937 and is part of JS Bach's Tocata & Fuge in D-Minor. Onto something a little older. The music here is good even if you can't understand much (if any) German. Here is the organ of St. Jacob the Ender, Ludingworth, Germany played by Wolfgang Zerer. Sounds like a very nice instrument, parts of which go back to Antonius Wilde (1598) and Arp Schnitger (1682). Something which is, in parts, older is the organ of St. Nicholas, Altenbruch, Germany. The first organ, of which a small amount survives, was built in 1497 but this instrument has been enlarged by the likes of Mahn (1577), Fritsche (1647), Dropa (1698) & Klapmeyer (1727). Still sounds very nice. Commentary in German. No idea on the age of the case but it looks fairly old. 1600s anyone? Video: Original Website: http://www.orgelstiftung.com/ Rough English Translation: http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=e...stiftung.com%2F Hope thiese are of interest, Dave

Hi all, The NPOR, record no. N11769, mentions an organ built by John Burward, London in 1631. Old organs are rare in the country, old ones by a British builder are even rarer. Does anyone know if this organ is still in existance? The survey date is the 1950s but there is no mention of it having been dismantled or transferred. Would like to see and, if it was possible, play / hear it if it still exists. http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi...ec_index=N11769 Dave

For the benefit of those who have not heard, or seen, Paul Jacobs other than by his advertisements in various music magazines such as C&O, here is one of him playing the organ of Crystal Cathedral, California, USA. Superb playing and, interestingly, no music in sight! The piece is by JS Bach. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hczd6WKMBUc Dave

Pardon me for rejuvinating this topic. I see from the internet that the third operation appears to be located in Chard and also now has a landline number. Dave

Hi all, The organ of bristol Cathedral is out of action for the next 5 weeks for some work which, in the service sheet this morning, is described as a renovation. I gather that the work relates to the action of the Swell division. In the meantime a 3-manual Allen Quantum (electronic) organ is in use. Sounded very impressive this morning with the organist accompanying the visiting choir (who were The Ravenscroft Singers: very good performance of Schubert's Mass in G with the motet being Messiaen's "O sacrum convivium") playing the Crand Ghoeur in D, op. 18 by Guilmant as the concluding Voluntary. The work on the Cathedral's main organ is understood to be in the hands of EA Cawston (Cam, nr. Dursley). Dave

No problem. Dave

Here's some nice church music from Holland. This is the Grote Kerk in the Dutch city of Breda. The organ here was puit up, in its present state, by Flentrop in 1967 but contains a positive case by Hendrik Niehoff(1534) and pipes from the 16th & 17th Centuries (ie. since 1534) but much of the pipework is from the 1700s & 1800s. Wether pipes survive from Niehoff's organ I know not. Jaap Hillen was organist of the Grote Kerk for 59 years (1949 - 2008): doesn't that make his tenure longer than that of F.G Ormond (who, IIRC, did 1929 - 1970 at Truro Cathedral, UK)? The church itself is stunning: it was restored between 1902 and 1968 (the nave took 18 years: 1938 - 1956!). Also I think the outside was cleaned a few years back: I remember how bright it was to look at last time I went there. A visit is well recommended but I found I had to pay a small fee to go in. Was OK with that though. Anyway, some YouTube clips: - Firstly, a Dutch news clip regarding a series of organ concerts in the church. Unfortunately all in Dutch apart from the organist who gets interviewed but fortunately, in contrast to the BBC, they put Dutch subtitles up instead of talking over her. There are pictures and you get some sound as well. - Secondly, the Allegro movement of CM Widor's 6th Symphony, played by Matteo Imbruno. - Thirdly, the choir of the Grote Kerk, Breda singing CV Stanford's Magnificat in B-flat. The church's organist now is Bert Mooiman but I do not know if he also has charge of the choir. Good singing IMO though. If you fancy more of the organ then a simple search for Grote Kerk Breda orgel should be fine. There are two Heinz Wunderlich clips there as I speak. Enjoy! Dave

A couple opf suggestions: - R.C Church of St. Nicholas, Amsterdam. The church is unmissable once you walk outside of Central Station. Church designed by A.C. Bleijs. Houses a Sauer organ of 1889, op. 505, which was renovated in 2001. I have heard the organ in use during services and sounds splendid. Interestingly the Organist & DOM at the church is an Englishman by the name of Michael Hedley (ex. Newcastle Cathedral and Guildhall School of Music) who has been there since January 2000. Having an English director of music does have one good side to it: from September to June (except for around Christmas) there is Choral Evensong on Saturdays at 5pm. That would be interesting. The wikipedia entry for the church seems to advise that Gregorian Vespers are sung otherwise. Church has 2 choirs who sing Evensong on alternate Saturdays. For anyone there around Christmas there is also a Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols which, this year, is 19th December at 5pm. Organ specification: http://www.muziekindenicolaas.nl/orgeldispositie.html Organ picture: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pietbron/1586563148/ Church music site (in English): http://www.muziekindenicolaas.nl/english/ Photo of the Church from outside Central Station: http://davespix.fotopic.net/p9963233.html The music list can be accessed from the English part of the Church's music site. Anyway, back to organs. Another one I recommend you have a look at is the Grote of OLV Kerk, Breda. Splendid church which was restored throughout much of the 1900s. Organ by Flentrop (1969) with 4 manuals, 53 speaking stops and 3780 pipes. It contains parts from several earlier instruments. The organ history goes back to 1429 but the earliest part of the current one is the Positive, the case of which dates to 1534 and was probably put up by Hendrik Niehoff. Much of the pipework is from 1700s & 1800s although some of the pipes in a number of the stops are stated to be "zeer oud" (Very Old, ie. 16th & 17th centuries - 1534 or later according to the church's organ history book). More of that in the PM I have sent you. I've never heard the instrument but it looks a good instrument to hear. The church itself is also a beauty. View towards the rear of the church: http://www.flickr.com/photos/celesteh/1278699379/ Organ closeup: http://www.flickr.com/photos/pamandyzoe/181908369/ Also, please check your PMs. I have sent you a message which, in addition to giving other information on the organ, also gives a vital travel tip for getting around Breda in case you go there. Have a good trip! Dave

Just realised that I had never added to this topic before today. So here goes: My name is David Harries (but most people call me Dave, hence my username). Age 27 na dhave lived in Bristol all my life. I took up the organ while I was a pupil at Clifton College Preparatory School (1990 - 1995) where I first learned under Robert Fielding (now at Romsey Abbey, Hampshire). I was, at the same time, learning the piano with Anthony Pinel who was, until a few years ago, at St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol. After finishing at Clifton I went onto another school but carried on under Robert Fielding until he left for Hampshire. I then carried on the organ and was taught first by Ian Ball and then by Richard Jeffrey-Gray and had lessons under both of them on the splendid 1973 Rieger organ at Clifton Cathedral, Bristol. While still under Robert Fielding I gained permission to practice on the organ in my local church at St. Mary's, Stoke Bishop (1905 Hele & Co., Plymouth // 1979 Daniel of Clevedon) but a few years ago it got difficult to practive here due to two thefts in quick succession (speaker equipment) and the PCC decided that the church should mostly be kept locked. My practice suffered and progress was minimal so I packed it in. During the time I was learning I did get to play music during services on two occasions: the first was at Brompton Regis, Somerset (nice TC Lewis organ of 1890) when I put the opening and closing music for the service in for which I used a couple of pieces by John Stanley. The second was in my local church when Boxing Day was a Sunday and the 26th December was the birthday of the organist's daughter so the organist - the late John Gadsden - asked me to cover. He gave the choir a day off. I still have an interest in organs. My Dad has an interest in church architecture so we make occasional journeys out of Bristol to look at a few. He looks at the churches (with reference to guidebooks by Pevsner) and I look at the organs in those churches. It has been during these trips that many of the photos on my church organ site - see link below - have been taken. Job-wise I am stuck working in some hole of a convenience store in Backwell, North Somerset but trying desparately to find a job elsewhere. My non-musical interests include European holidays, computing, buses - for which I have another photo site: 1400+ photos), digital photography (including other things besides buses and organs) and sometimes a few other things as well. I also enjoy spending time with my 1 year-old nephew, Ben, when I see him: his Mother is Polish and his father - my older brother - is English and they live in Poland. Dave

I learnt that one once. Nice piece. Dave

Sheffield Cathedral? Dave

I also recorded the 4x 30-minute programmes onto VHS but may well invest in a DVD copy from HMV: I have a couple of unused gift tokens from them. Thanks for the link. The DVD copy should be useful for when it becomes necessary, with the digital switchover, to get rid of the our current video recorder to replace it with a new one. Roll on VHS though I say. Dave

I gather that Bristol Cathedral are doing the same. Dave

1. Does anyone know which church in Bristol the pipework is supposed to have gone to? 2. The Tickell destined for Keeble looks like it wil be a good instrument and will complement the chapel with its appearence once it is installed in 2011. Dave

Here's one. Pity it is in French. The clip is from what seems to be a French TV program and it features Philippe Lefebvre at the organ of Notre Dame, Paris. Dave

Hi all, Just been through the listings for the BBC Proms this year. Organ music features as follows: - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Wednesday 22nd July, 2000 - 2230hrs | Prom 8 The Wasps Overture (Vaughan Williams) The Genesis of Secrecy (Wigglesworth - BBC Commission, world premiere) Five Mystical Songs (Vaughan Williams) Magnificat & Nunc Dimittis in A Major (CV Stanford) Come Holy Ghost (Jonathan Harvey) Ascending into Heaven (Judith Weir) Symphony no. 3 for Organ (Saint-Sëans) Thomas Trotter (Organ), Simon Keenlyside (Baritone) Choirs of St. John's and King's Colleges, Cambridge (Stephen Cleobury - Conductor) Choirs of Claire, Gonville & Caius and Trinity Colleges, Cambridge (Andrew Nethsingha - Conductor) BBC Symphony Orchestra (Andrew Davis - Conductor) Saturday 25th July, 1700 - 1805hrs | Prom 11 Organ Sonata no. 2 (Elgar, arr. Atkins) Blue Rose Variations (Peter Dickinson) Organ Sonata no. 1 in G major (Elgar, arr. Atkins) David Titterington (Organ) Sunday 02nd August, 1930 - 2145hrs | Prom 24 From Tumpet (Ben Foskett - BBC Commission, world premiere) Symphony no. 4 in B-flat major (Beethoven) Te Deum (Berlioz) The Bach Choir BBC Symphony Chorus Crouch End Festival Chorus Choristers of St. Paul's Cathedral Trinity Boys Choir Susanna Mälkki - Conductor Wednesday 12th August, 1900 - 2120hrs | Prom 36 - Handel evening Solomon - The Arrival of the Queen of Sheba Coronation Anthem - "Let my hand be strengthened" Semele - excerpts Coronation Anthem - "My heart is inditing" Coronation Anthem - "The King shall rejoice" Motet - "Salve Regina" Organ concerto in F major op. 4, no. 4 (Original version) Coronation Anthem - "Zadock The Priest" Carolyn Sampson (Soprano) Alastair Ross (Organ) The Sixteen (Harry Christophers - conductor) Tuesday 08th September, 2200 - 2315hrs | Prom 71 Westerlings (Sir Peter Maxwell Davies) Solstice of Light (Sir Peter Maxwell Davies) Ed Lyon - Tenor David Goode - Organ - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - In addition, I am more than a bit suprised that PCM 5 has no organ in it. I think I have only ever heard Bach's "Wachet auf" prelude on the organ. The lineup for that concert is this: - - - - - - - - - - Monday 17th August, 1300 - 1400hrs | PCM 5 Prelude and Fugue in E minor, op. 35 (Mendelssohn) Choral Prelude "Wachet auf, ruft uns die Stimme" (JS Bach) Choral Prelude "Nun freut euch, lieben Christen g'mein" (JS Bach) Choral Prelude "'Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ" (JS Bach) Variations and Fugue on a theme by Handel (Brahms) Llŷr Williams - piano - - - - - - - - - - Anyway, quite a good lot to choose from organ-wise this year. I note what are (I assume) Proms deuts for Crouch End Festival Chorus, David Goode, Alastair Ross (who I have not heard of), David Goode and David Titterington, plus the Cambridge choirs and St. Paul's Cathedral choir. Prom 8 sounds like it will be spectacular and Prom 36 (the Handel evening) sounds like it will be good. What will you be listening out for? Dave

Some more late arrivals to the organists' ball. Please welcome: - Mr. & Mrs. Anglais and their lovely daughter Cor. - Mr. & Mrs. Clyde and their loud-mouthed, odly-named son, Ophi. - Mr. & Mrs. Dal, along with their adoped son from Norway, Ped. - Mr. & Mrs. Shorn, and their daughter Gemma (or Gem for short) Dave

Hi all, It seems that the authorities of the Benedictine Abbey in Weingarten, Germany are attempting to raise funds for the restoration of Jseph Gabler's choir organ of 1737-43 there. More info: Website: http://www.chororgel.de/ YouTube Clip: Could be interesting. Dave

Yes. And he is still in it. Dave

Paul, I remember some of your time at CCC because my Gran used to live just down the road from it. I remembeer one occasion when an Uncle of mine got married in the church and the organ sounded fine then. I stood not too far behind you when you did the opening piece for that service, which was the prelude on "Nan Danket" by SKE. I haven't gone into the church for some years though. But a look at the website of the church doesn't mention any work on the organ. And nor, BTW, does the NPOR mention the work by Trevor Tipple that you mention earlier. Dave

In passing, I think it is just over 30 years since Roy Massey gave the rededication recital on the organ of my local parish church here in Bristol after it had been rebuilt. Dave

Hi all, While my Dad was at an occasion in the grounds of Clifton College this evening, I took the opportunity to slip into the school Chapel which was open and which I had not set foot in since 1995. I wanted to photo the organ there (Harriston & Harrison, 1911 / 1994 - http://churchorgans.fotopic.net/p58747674.html) which I used to have lessons on when at Clifton College Preparatory School, aka "The Pre" (1990 - 1995). It was nice to be back in there and I was glad to see that the chapel has been well looked after since I left. However, I also wanted to have a look around and, during the course of doing so, I came across this organ which was not playable and there was no action between the detached console - visible in the photo below - and the pipes. It was only partly assembled (the back was open with pipes visible) and there was a console there. I got this photo of it, which also shows the console: Clifton College Chapel, Bristol E.J Johnson & Son, Cambridge, 1980 Pedal Dulciana 8 Open Diapason 8 Principal 4 Manual Dulciana 8 Open Diapason 8 Dulcet 4 Principal 4 Mixture 2rks The builder info is taken from a plate on the console. The NPOR does not record this organ's presence anywhere in Clifton College and I don't know where in the school it will go. But does anyone recognise this organ and, if so, where did it come from? It certainly was not in the chapel during my time at Clifton College and services in the CHapel were a regular feature of my time in "The Pre". If you think you can identify it and want a larger picture I can provide one: please PM me your email. Thanks. Dave