DaveHarries

Hi all, Here is one from Cologne. It is Großer Gott Wir Loben Dich during the Holy mass on 25th December 2008 to celebrate the 75th Birthday of Cardinal Meisner. Dave

I don't know where Herr Kropf (former organist of Neuenfelde) has gone to recently: I can't remember when I last saw that he had posted on this forum. However, for the benefit of anyone who has not yet heard the Schnitger organ at Neuenfelde comes this clip of Herr Kropf playing a piece (not sure which one) by Buxteheude on this instrument: Nice instrument. Dave

Yes I agree. That website is not a very good design. One of the worst I have seen, in fact. Dave

Hi all, During my recent trip to Wroclaw, Poland I managed to find some time to look into some churches. This has resulted in more church organ photos being added to my site. Updates are as follows: New organs added: Church of St. Mary Magdalene. It can be described as scantily clad (as far as the casework is concerned) but, aside from that, it is apparently in bad need of a thorough overhaul. A website gives the builder as "Rieger" (of Austria?), opus 2375. http://churchorgans.fotopic.net/p58224018.html Also in the church of St. Mary Magdalene is this organ which is 1 manual. The larger organ, mentioned above, has 2 manuals. The organ in this picture was built in 1980 by a local builder and looks very nice surrounded by the red brickwork on the arch. This instrument is a separate organ from the one mentioned above. http://churchorgans.fotopic.net/p58224017.html One nice instrument was that in the church of St. Akademiki. Website shows this to be a one-manual organ of 5 stops and with a split manual (ie. separate stops for bass and treble). Funny looking organ in a church which is not very big. http://churchorgans.fotopic.net/p58224016.html Updates to existing photos: I have added a better quality photo of the organ in the Cathedral of St. John the Baptist which is the largest organ in Poland (5 manuals, 150 stops and 13207 pipes in a building smaller than Notre Dame, Paris: ND only has 5 manuals and around 109 stops with approx. 7500 - 8000 pipes). I had to use the night setting on the camera to get the picture and keep the camera very still (which meant balancing it on a pew). An interesting note is that, despite only having 150 active stops, the console has 222 stops as both console and organ were in the Centenial Hall, Wroclaw. Have also addded builder information for this one: http://churchorgans.fotopic.net/p58224015.html Have also corrected the name of one of the churches. I originally had it as St. Elizabeth's Church but it is, in fact, the Dominican church. I have also added a newer photo and added builder information for the organ in the main part of the church as well. http://churchorgans.fotopic.net/p58224014.html Hope the pics are of interest. Dave

Hi Vox, Glad you found it interesting. I will be keeping my ears open for any news on the dedication of this replica instrument and will endeavour to go to Wroclaw for the concert. Shouldn't be too difficult because, usefuly, my brother lives in the city not very far from that church! The book states that Engler (b. Wroclaw 1688, d. Wroclaw 1761) built two other instruments in the city: 1721 - 1722: St. Hieronymi 1722 - 1724: St. Salvator (church demolished at end of 19th Century. Case was in a local museum until 1945) I guess they will try and make the pipes to Engler specifications and, unless St. Hieronymi organ has survived WW2 they need only look to Olomouc (Czech Republic) for details on that. However the specification in the book says, for most stops, what the pipes for each stop were made from. How useful it is to have that documentation still in existance! Dave

Hi all, In a post I wrote a couple of days ago while in Wroclaw, Poland I said I would post news of an interesting organ project in the city. Here we go. The church in question is St. Elizabeth's, Wroclaw. Let me start with this quotation from a display board, located in the church, that gave the history of the church's Engler organ in almost perfect English: - - - - - - - - ".....Unfortunately the temple suffered a major tragedy on 9 June 1979. There broke out such a fire that in the short period of time the whole western part of the building was in flames. Vratislavians [people from Wroclaw - DH] having left their duties came running to the place of the catastrophe and could not believe that the glory of Silesia was perishing. They watched how, in spite of the enormous effort of the rescue teams and accidental people securing whatever was possible, the fire was destroying the symbol of the power of Vratislavian bourgeoisie. Around there were heard screams and fire brigade's sirens; breaking windows gave terrific sound. One could hear fire hisses, explosions, crumbling roofing tiles and bricks. Some people heard something more. At one point all the pipes played together. It was the last chord of Engler's organ - chord of dispair and sadness. After a while, there were left only charred angels and a handful of grey tin." - - - - - - - - Thus is described the destruction by fire of the organ that Michael Engler built for the church of St. Elizabeth, Wroclaw in 1752-1761 which replaced an earlier ogan of 1657. The church's organ history first mentions an organ in, as far as I can establish, 1497 with repairs in 1514, 1535, 1546, 1603, 1617 and 1619. The 1657 organ, which was built by Christianus Crelius, had 3 manuals, Pedals, 35 stops and 1615 pipes and the specification of this can be summarised, without giving a full stop list, as: Hauptmanual: 16, 8, 8, 8, 8, 4, 3, 1½, 1, 5rks, 2rks Mittel-Clavier: 4, 2, 1½, 1, 1rk // 8 Unter-Clavier: 8, 8, 4, 4, 4, 2, 1½, 1 Pedal: 32, 16, 16, 16, 8, 8, 4, ??*, 3rks // 8 [Note: the ?? represents a stop for which no length is given in the specification. Stops given after the // are reeds while those given before the // are flues] This organ was played for the last time on 9th August 1752 (by the church organist Georg Siegemund Gebel) before Engler installed his instrument. Engler's organ of 1752-1761 was larger in size. It had 3 manuals, Pedals, 56 stops and 3077 pipes. A project is now underway to reconstruct the organ with a specification of the baroque period in a richly decorated case and this organ is hoped to be the crowning glory of the restoration of the church after the 1979 fire. I have the book about the organs and the project. According to it, Engler's specification of 1751-1761 was this: HM: Principal 16, Burdun Flaute 16, Salicet 16, Rhor Flute 8, Octave 8, Salicet 8, Viola da Gamba 8, Doppel Quinte 6, Octave 4, Nasat 3, Super Octav 2, Sesquialtera IIrks, Mixtur VIIIrks, Trompette 16, Trompette 8, Waldhorn 4 OC: Hohl Flute 16, Principal 8, Gemshorn 8, Unda Maris 8, Vox Humana (Rhorwerk) 8, Spitzflute 4, Salicet 4, Octava 4, Quinte 3, Super Octava 2, Sedecima 1, Zimbel Vrks, Hautbois 8, Theorbe 4 RP: Rhor Flute 16, Principal 8, Fauttrav 8, Quintadenna 8, Quintadenna 4, Octava 4, Flauto amabile 4, Nachthorn 2, Tertian 2, Chalumeau 8, Scharff IVrks PD: Major Baß 32, Salicet 32, Principal 16, Dulcian 16, Violon 16, Gemshorn 16, Principal 8, Flaute 8, Gemshorn quintt 6, Clarinet 4, Mixtur Xrks, Posaune 32, Posaune 16, Trompa 8, Schallmey 4 HM: Hauptmanual, OC: Ober-Clavier, RP: Ruckpositiv, PD: Pedal Quite an instrument!! The display baord said that the intention is to reconstruct the instrument. However neither the book about the organ history (which is half in Geman and half in Polish) nor the display board in English makes it clear if the intention is to reconstruct the organ to Engler's specification or not. Having said that, an illustration on page 113 of the book shows a planned design for the case that will house the new organ. This is, as far as I can tell, a full replica of Engler's case. I think it is good to assume that the specification is also intended to be the same as Engler's.The display baords in the church give a photo and I took a photo of the photo. The grandness of the case seems to have matched the grandness of the specification: Here is a photo of the gallery today. You may be able to make out some wood built into the wall on both sides of the gallery which presumable mark out where the organ and its separate gallery were once located. The older pictures in the book show a gallery below the organ gallery. I will finish with another quote from the display board and it is this: "The climax of the first period of the [Fundacji Opus Organi] Foundation's activity is the publication of the proceedings after the scientific conference devoted to the rebuilding of the organ of the church of St. Elizabeth. It contains directions for carrying out the project. At the moment the Foundation focuses on raising funds for this expensive instrument. Entering into partnership with sponsors and the local government is the first priority. However, the whole action would be pointless if the people of Wroclaw and tourists did not participate in this project. Each zloty is important, therefore we express our deep gratuitude towards all the people who trust us generously making contributions and donations towards the organ rebuilding." I put in my 10 zloty to get the book. I hope organ lovers here on this board, and elsewhere, will contribute if they get the chance. The book is on sale in the church sacristy. I hope this post, and the pictures in it, have been of interest. If it hasn't then I offer my apologies. Dave

Hi all, A few weeks ago I was at the Sunday Eucharist in Bristol Cathedral when the organist, who was accompanying a visiting choir, opened up on the organ with a piece which I later learned was the Trumpet Fanfare from Purcell's opera "King Arthur". The organist employed the Tromba (or Tuba?) stop to wonderful effect. Is there a specific arrangement of this piece for organ and, if so, who by? It sounded superb. Incidentally, watch this space: I am currently in the fabulous city of Wroclaw, Poland. Upon my return I shall bring information on an interesting project to recreate an organ by Michael Engler from 1752-1760 that was destroyed when one of the churches here caught fire on 09th June 1979..... Dave

Hi all, Found this on a motoring forum just now and thought I would share it: = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = PSALM 2009 FOR BRITAIN (and God knows we need it….) Gordon is the shepherd I did not want. He leadeth me beside the still factories. He restoreth my faith in the Conservative party. He guideth me in the path of unemployment for his party's sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the bread line, I shall fear no hunger for his bailouts are with me. He has anointed my income with taxes, My expenses runneth over. Surely, poverty and hard living will follow me all the days of my life, And I will live in a mortgaged home forever. I am glad I am British, I am glad that I am free. But I wish I was a dog, And that Gordon was a tree = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = = Made me chuckle. Dave

Lastly, here is another clip from an organ that I don't think has featured in this topic so far. The organ in this clip is that of Roskilde Cathedral, Denmark (3 manuals, 33 stops). Original organ by Raphaelis of the Netherlands (1554, of which the gallery, positiv case, 2 positiv ranks & 2 Manualvaerk ranks survive) and rebuilt by Johann Lorentz (completed Mülisch, 1654) and Marcussen & Reuter (1833). The organ was restored in 1991 by Marcussen who used notes made before the 1833 rebuild to determine the old specification and mixture compositions which were reinstated. The gallery structure was also restored in 1991 at the same time and this allowed reinstatement of the original layout of the winding and action. Lastly, "all the work, from hammered metal and correct alloy for the pipes to the detail of the console, has been carried out enturely in the traiditons of the original work". Around 1/3 of the pipework is from the 1500s and 1600s. Great sounding instrument on which I would love an hour or two! D. Buxtehude: Praeambulum in A minor BuxWV 158 (played by Ulrik Spang-Hanssen): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3AR9tbmPj6Y Pictures: http://www.flickr.com/search/?w=all&q=...rgan&m=text Enjoy! Dave

That grand organ the 5 manual one that JG was playing - sounds like something of of the ACC period, or by ACC himself. Would I be correct in that assumption? Dave

Certainly different, and certainly not to my liking! Dave

Hi, I note, from a book called "Cathedral Cats" that Worcester Cathedral has 3 cats (Marmaduke, PJ and Fatcat) and I note that the book informs us that Marmaduke belongs to our good friend Adrian Lucas: there is a great pic of Mamaduke on page 93 and another on page 95. In the light of this, and the fact that on a trip to Gloucester on 14th April I was scratched by Flo who is one of the resident cats of the Cathedral there, I was wondering how many parish churches local to members of this group have resident cats. Anyone? Dave (PS: On page 66 there is a picture of Ivor, the resident cat of Portsmouth Cathedral, sitting on the organ stool supposedly pressing notes on the first manual).

* duplicate post: please delete this one *

Hi all, Have been in Wiltshire for some of the last couple of days. I was spending time in the area around the village of Chilmark. During my trip I photographed these two organs that I thought you all might be interested to look at. They are quite contrasting in appearance. The first one is the nice Bevington in Chilmark Parish Church. This organ was, according to the church guidebook, given by a local resident in 1848. It is by Bevington & Sons of London but was restored, according to the NPOR - there is nothing fixed to the organ clarifying this - in 1966 by George Osmond, Taunton. Note that the small Chair case has dummy pipes made of wood. I did get a go on this organ some years ago. Very nice instrument. http://churchorgans.fotopic.net/p57615422.html A sharp contrast can be found by looking at the organ of Teffont Evias. The village is located around 1 or 2 miles east (ie. towards Salisbury) of Chilmark. The NPOR says that this is an "Upton model" by "Scudamore". That sounds highly unlikely if you consider that, under an hour's drive from Teffont Evias, is a village called Upton Scudamore which is just the other side of the town of Warminster. As if to suggest that the NPOR's facts are mistaken a plaque attached to the case reads "Henry Willis, London". This organ has an open top which shows all the pipes. There is also a full pedalboard but, on account of the apparent lack of a 16ft Bourdon, it should be assumed that the manual stops - of which there are 4 - are permanently coupled to the pedals. The date of "1860s" that I have given is a guess. I think that there is a person on this forum connected with the Willis firm: I can't remember who the member is but is there any chance that he could look out the original date of Willis' installation of this organ and let me have it? I would be interested to know. http://churchorgans.fotopic.net/p57615427.html Any thoughts on these instruments? HTIOI, Dave

Hi, The NPOR does not give a builder or year of construction for the organ at English Bicknor, Forest of Dean. But it has 20 Pedal keys, 56 notes on the first manual and 42 keys on the 2nd manual. Also what is described as an ugly case of zinc pipes. Any guesses as to the age on that one in light of the compass? http://npor.rcm.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?...ec_index=N05706 Dave

Olivier, Merci pour ces infos. C'est une liste interessant ça. Quel est l'histoire de l'orgue de la Cathédrale de Monaco? David, Bristol, Angleterre * * * Translation * * * Olivier, Thanks for the information. A very interesting list. What is the history of the organ of Monaco cathedral?

"Tomb" it may concern, What have I started?? The standard of humour on this forum is obviously not to be sneezed at. Just remember, however, that if there is a strike at the local cemetery during the week of your funeral then the gravedigging may be done by a skeleton crew. I am also reminded of the time that an organist went to the funeral of someone he knew well. He just couldn't console himself..... *orders taxi* Dave

Was it a job that can be described as being of the ... er ... "dead end" variety? (Sorry!) Dave

Mr. Adrian Lucas, Organist & Master of the Choristers at Worcester and also member of this forum who - according to page 28 of the Daily Telegraph dated 14th March - turned 47 on Saturday 14th March. A late Happy Birthday, Adrian! Dave

Hi all, On Sunday (01st March) the music for the morning Eucharist at Bristol Cathedral was this: Setting: Missa Brevis (Ives) Motet: Thou knowest, Lord (Purcell) Psalm: 25 Hymns: 67, 159 (vv1, 2, 5, 6), 425, 393 Sounded superb, as usual. But my query is this. I believe I am right in thinking that Grayston (Bill) Ives, who was recently Informator Choristarum of Magdalen College, Oxford is a well known composer. But I believe there is / was anopther composer called Charles Ives. So which Ives was it who wrote a setting of Missa Brevis? The Cathedral's service sheet only said "Ives". Also, is / was this the same "Ives" who wrote a piece called the "Intrada"? Heard that in the Cathedral last year and am thinking I may try and learn it when I get the time to do so. Thanks. Dave

Hi, Tiratutti, Thanks for those links. I had, however, already found them by following the link from the town's website. However, using Google's translation site, I put the second link into English. From what I can understand (the translation is not 100% perfect) the 1825 organ was rebuilt in 1854, repaired in 1863 and rebuilt again in 1894 due to alterations within the church. The builder for the 1894 work was Mauracher's grandson, Johann Nep. When the town was relocated following the floods of the 1890s (particularly the bad one of 1899) a new church was built. During the work of 1894 the organ must have gained a second keyboard for it was proposed, in 1904, to rebuild the double-manual organ into the new church. This, however, never happened. Parish archives in Oberndorf do not record the fate of the 1825 organ. Instead, in 1904, a new organ was proposed and the contract was offered, again, to Karl Mauracher (probably a different one: son of the buolder of 1825?) but he could not build it because he was too busy. In 1912 the contract for a new organ was offered to Albert Mauracher, with the local population having raised over 8,000 kroner for a new organ. Albert Mauracher therefore built the organ and this was finished on 16-Nov-1913. Albert Mauracher's organ lasted until 1982 when Reiger rebuilt it. It seems that the case of 1912/1913 was used for the 1982 instrument with little alteration, except that the three central pillars - which had previously been empty - had pipes put in them. It seems that Austria does not forget its heritage. In Fügen, where Karl Mauracher came from, there is a road named "Karl-Mauracher Weg", Wagrain's school is named after Josef-Mohr and the house where he lived when priest there can still be found: there is an exhibition about him on the roadside leading to it. Both Wagrain and Oberndorf have "Josef-Mohr straße" (JM wrote the words for Silent Night) and Obderndorf also has a "Franz-Xaver-Gruber straße". The churches ar Oberndorf and Arnsdorf have memorial windows to Fr. Mohr & Franz Gruber respectively while the square on one side of Arnsdorf's church is called "Stille-Nacht platz". On Google Earth there is a building next to the church on that square: I can't help wondering if that is the one where Gruber, who was the schoolmaster, lived when he wrote that tune. It is probably listed. It does, perhaps, seem strange that Oberndorf has no road named after Karl Mauracher who, although he would not have known it, made Oberndorf famous by taking a copy of Silent Night with him after completing his work on the organ in 1825. I hope I might get round to making a trip to Arnsdorf, Oberndorf, Wagrain & Fügen in Winter 2010: I think it would be an interesting experience. Dave

Hi all, I realise that this is a touch out of season as it relates to a Christmas carol. But does anyone know where I can find more information on the Organ Builder called Carl Mauracher, who repaired the organ at Oberndorf, Austria in 1825 and, in the process, helped spread the carol "Silent Night" (written in 1816-1818 by Fr. Joseph Mohr - priest - and Franz Gruber - curate) by taking a copy of it with him? I put his name past the German version of Wikipedia but can find nothing on him. I suppose it is possible that he wasn't well known in organ building but would be interested. I also remember reading that the church of St. Nicholas was demolished in the 1890s. It would be interesting to know what happened to the organ after that, and also some of the hisotry behind the instrument. Any information wil be gladly received with interest. Thanks. Dave

I have heard of this Unda Maris stop but don't think I have ever heard the sound of it. Anyone know of any online sound samples? Dave

Does anyone know how to get hold of that group photo that Adrian took? Dave

I would like to put on record my appreciation and thanks to Adrian for organising the day and for his playing. Same to Chris Allsop for his playing (giving us that "Ride of the Valkyries" duet as well as the sound demonstrations) and also for his excellent musical direction at evensong. Same again to the staff at the Cathedral for putting up with us. Also well done to the Organ Scholar who rounded it all off with that piece at the end of evensong: what was it? Thanks also to the cathedral librarian for providing us for such an interesting set of items for us to view up there. It was good to meet other members of the forum. My thanks go to the organists among us on the day who came with some wonderful music. I think that the Quire organ is an instrument that sounds superb and which will serve the cathedral for years to come. I look forward to having many more chances to hear it when chances arise. All in all, a memorable day. Dave