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DaveHarries

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    David Clegg

    in The Organ

    Posted

    2 hours ago, dbouckley said:

    Just noted this topic on the net. I'm David Clegg's grandson and as far as I know his only descendant. He died in the UK, and my grandmother came to Australia with my mother. I have some scores, original manuscripts, photos and other memorabilia stored away if anyone's interested. 

    David Bouckley

    Newcastle

    Australia

    Welcome to the forum. Good to know that some of his music etc. has survived.

    Dave

    Appointments 2

    in General discussion

    Posted

    13 hours ago, S_L said:

    I see, in the 'Church Times' today there is an advert for Dean of Sheffield.

    "Previous Cathedral experience is not essential"

    Doesn't sound too good. Perhaps a case of being careful what you wish for?

    Dave

    St. Elizabeth, Wroclaw (PL) :: Update

    in The Organ

    Posted

    Greetings all,

    Some members here may recall my posts from 2009 and 2018 about the efforts to build a historical replica of the organ of St. Elizabeth, Wroclaw (Poland) that was built by Michael Engler (1752-1761), was worked on by other builders (1848, 1867, 1879, 1907 & 1939) and escaped destruction during WW2 (1939-1945) only to be lost in a fire that gutted the church on 09-Jun-1976. A photo of 10th June 1976 shows how complete the destruction of the organ was: https://polska-org.pl/9069037,foto.html?idEntity=546812

    It is good to be able to report that the work on the organ is now well underway. The organ is being made by a three-way consortium:

    - Orgues Thomas (Stevelot, BE): Windchests
    - Organowe Zych (Wolomin, PL): case and supporting structure.
    - Orgelbau Klais (Bonn, DE): Action, console, wind system, pipework and intonation (voicing?)

    The website of Zych is live but makes no mention of the project; the website of Thomas mentions it but with no links to any information. On the other hand the website of Klais gives a history of the organs of St. Elizabeth and suggests that the Engler-origin organs of Grüssau and Olomuc are serving as models (presumably for things like pipework metal alloys) for the Wroclaw organ.

    The page on the Klais website can be found at https://klais.de/m.php?sid=551 and contains historical pictures of the Wroclaw organ as well as pictures of the 1724 Engler of St. Nicholas, Brieg (Brzeg), Poland which was sadly lost in 1945. You can also on that link find impressions of how the organ in Wroclaw is planned to look when finished. It seems that the comparison with the organ of 1752 will be very good indeed.

    I am sure I read very recently (although I forget where) that inauguration is planned for sometime in Autumn 2021: what a pity I am unlikely to be there. I hope videos will appear online in due course: I think it will be splendid.

    Hope this is of interest.
    Dave

    York Minster organ blessing

    in General discussion

    Posted

    1 hour ago, Philip said:

    I haven't watched the Eucharist but would commend the Evensong which included the dedication of the organ by the Archbishop of York. It features a rather interesting set of improvisations early in the service under the section 'The singing of the organ'. But perhaps even more ingenious is the sermon, which is accompanied by the organ in a descriptive manner - I'm not sure if this was wholly improvised although clearly Ben Morris had the text to follow and respond to. Add to this Demessieux Te Deum before, Lanquetuit Toccata after and that Ashfield triple chant for Psalm 66.

    At the end of Dyson in D Mag I'm pretty sure you can hear the (now) two 32' reeds in succession (smaller then larger).

    Order of service, for anyone wondering, can be found at https://d10okuw2vik61v.cloudfront.net/uploads/2021/03/Easter-Day-Evensong-2021.pdf

    That "singing of the organ" bit sounds, if an early edition of Choir & Organ is anything to go by, like part of the dedication mass of the organ of Notre-Dame, Paris following the work of the early 1990s. That service featured something similar.

    Dave

    Great European Organs

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Hi all,

    I seem to remember that the "Great European Organs" series (Priory Records?) was discontinued a few years back. But an idle few minutes at work today lead to me thinking up this question.

    If Priory Records decided to record one final disc in the "Great European Organs" series and gave you the chance to record the disc in a venue of your choice:
    a) Where would you choose to record it?
    b) What would be the one piece you would have to include as part of your line up?

    For me the answers would be:
    a) Cathedral of St. Peter and St. Paul, Cologne (Germany)
    b) Toccata-Prelude on "Von Himmel Hoch" (Garth Edmunson) for which I would use the transept and nave organs simultaneously.

    Two organs both by Klais (Transept: IV+P/102; 1949/2002; Nave : III+P/53; 1998) both of which can be played from the transept console.

    I will be interested to see what other people would do.

    HTIOI,
    Dave

    Appointments 2

    in General discussion

    Posted

    3 hours ago, michaelwilson said:

    James Anderson-Besant has been appointed, currently organ scholar at St John’s Cambridge.

    Slight correction if I may: Assistant Organist of St. John's according to the college website.
    https://www.sjcchoir.co.uk/about/james-anderson-besant

    Nothing on the social media of the cathedral or the college but the website of Exeter Cathedral carries this:
    https://www.exeter-cathedral.org.uk/news-events/latest-news/assistant-director-of-music-appointed/

    Dave

    Richard Shepherd

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Read online this evening that Dr. Richard Shepherd MBE, DL, FRSCM, a composer, former educator, and Director of Development and Chamberlain of York Minster, sadly died on 20th February at the age of 71 after a long illness.

    I had never previously heard of his music until I attended the enthronement service for the current Bishop of Bristol, a former Dean of York, at Bristol Cathedral back in October 2018. One of the anthems for the service was "Eternal light, shine into our hearts", a prayer of Alcuin of York (735-804) which Dr. Shepherd had set to music especially for the service: it was superb. May he rest in peace.

    Dave

    Carolus Allen

    in General discussion

    Posted

    9 hours ago, Allen Descendant said:

    Thank you so much.  It is lovely to get the exact location where Robert lived and where Emma was born.  Emma died at 21 Longfield Road, St Andrews Park, Bristol.  It was inherited through the Will of Emma's husband to their maiden daughter, Winifred.  She lived in it with no electricity until she died in 1969.  In the hallway was a huge wooden angel which she said had been made by her grandfather (Robert Allen) and that it was one or two, the second was in St Mary Redcliffe.  Many years ago I wrote to St Mary Redcliffe to see if Robert had done any work on their organ.  I know that at least 2 of his children were baptised there.

    Any information on St Mary Redcliffe would be much appreciated.

    A look on the NPOR records for St. Mary Redcliffe makes no mention of Robert Allen and neither does the copy I have of the history of the organs there. As for the address in Longfield Road, St. Andrews it still stands but I can't imagine how she coped with no electricity.

    Dave

    Carolus Allen

    in General discussion

    Posted

    2 hours ago, Allen Descendant said:

    I have just found this site and as a descendant of Robert ALLEN organ builder, I have a few comments to add and some corrections.

    Robert was apprenticed to Father Henry Willis who sent him to Winchester to overlook the installation of their new organ. As a result, my great grandmother was born there. He then returned to London until 1859 (as you said). He then purchased the company in Bristol from John Smith who was a Moravian.  Robert had a total of 9 children, not 7.  

    As for William.  he was NOT the brother of Robert ALLEN Sr and he was NOT a shoe maker.  He actually died in 1833.  His Will and Probate was published 11 Nov 1833 and he leaves money to his son John and his son Charles Arthur ALLEN was one of his executors.  This William was the Church Organ builder which was mentioned in his Will and he was baptised 09 Apr 1783 at St Marys, Walton on Thames the 6th of 9 children.

    Going back to Robert 2 of his children were born in London and 6 in Bristol as well as Emma Elizabeth who as you say, was born in Winchester.   3 of Robert's sons were also Organ builders but all 3 died young Robert Franckling ALLEN age 51, Walter age 42 and Christopher John age 32.

    "Willis was completing one of his first important organs at Winchester Cathedral in 1854: it had been built for the Great Exhibition in 1851, but very much remodelled for Winchester, so it would have been a big job:  Willis's men were evidently there for almost the whole of 1854. Installation began in January, but when it was first heard in June the press observed that quite a lot was still silent: the official opening recital was not until November."  

    I have birth, marriage and death certificates as well as Wills.

    Greetings A.D and welcome to the forum.

    Dave

    Youtube

    in General discussion

    Posted

    The organ of Auckland Town Hall sounds in excellent voice with Tim Noon at the console accompanying the Auckland Symphony Orchestra with the Finale from Saint-Saens' Organ Symphony no.3. The clip is dated 04-Nov-2013.

    Dave

    King's - Nine Lessons and Carols

    in General discussion

    Posted

    21 hours ago, Adnosad said:

    Sorry to be such a bore and bring this topic back on line but did anyone here actually bother to listen to the service on the radio and watch the tv programme?

    IMHO, for what it isn`t worth, I thought the two offerings were excellent in their own individual way of presentation.  The sound quality appeared to be superior on the radio as opposed to the tv, but there again I only have a c====y little 32" box.

    Have to admit to not being overly impressed with the version of " In The Mid Bleak Winter " "  but that is just my humble opinion. not an expert opinion.

    I heard it on the radio *and* watched it on the TV. Enjoyed both.

      

    14 hours ago, wolsey said:

    Are you not able to listen to it online?

    Not without using my phone because I have no speakers on my PC. I am also a shortwave radio listener too (listening only, not transmitting) so I would have tried it for an experiment. Maybe next year.

    Dave

    Seasons Greetings

    in General discussion

    Posted

    8 hours ago, Rowland Wateridge said:

    The Rieger, and I have to say I was pleasantly surprised by how well it sounded both in accompaniment and in the Vierne I Final (my only previous experience of it being in a masterclass during the IAO Congress in Bristol 20+ years ago).  The singing was of a very high standard; a bold move to use a challenging mass setting ‘Missa Universalis’ composed jointly by the director of music Jeffrey Gray and the organist Stephen Bryant.  A very appropriate welcome and homily by the Dean reflecting present circumstances, and the whole service had dignity without unnecessary pomp.

    It was ambitious of the BBC to fit the service in a slot of only one hour, so inevitably the Vierne was faded out!

    I hadn't noticed that the BBC's broadcast of Midnight Mass was from Clifton Cathedral (which is not far from me). I had lessons for a time on the organ there and my teacher was someone whose name I decline to mention on this forum (I haven't seen the person in question on this forum for a considerable time but they were, IIRC, a member of it). It was an enjoyable instrument to play and I am glad it is being kept in good order.

    Dave

    Seasons Greetings

    in General discussion

    Posted

    I would like to take this opportunity not only to thank our new hosts for keeping this forum running and also my fellow members for their contributions over this unusual year. I wish you all a Merry Christmas as well as all the best for what I hope will be a brighter and better 2021 for us all.

    Dave

    Southwell Minster

    in General discussion

    Posted

    10 hours ago, Choir Man said:

    If building works are taking place, then it's sensible to wrap the organ to prevent the ingress of building dust. I believe that there are some organ builders that specialise in this, and that it is also possible to wrap the organ in a way that leaves it playable

    Indeed. When my local church - St. Mary's, Stoke Bishop (NPOR D07728) - was reordered and refurbed back in 2011 the organ was wrapped both on its main (choir side) façade and on the side (nave) façade. However someone doing the work managed, in mid-to-late 2011, to make a hole in the wrapping which, through ingress of dust, rendered the organ unplayable for some weeks. The remedial work was done in early 2012 IIRC, at no cost to the parish.

    Although the organ remains with the same specification as it had when rebuilt in 1979 the accoustic, thanks at least in part to the reordering, is rather dry nowadays.

    Dave

    Youtube

    in General discussion

    Posted

    My favourite recording of Garth Edmunson's "Von Himmel Hoch" prelude is this one played by Andrew Lucas at St. Paul's Cathedral. Sounds great with a decent pair of noise-cancelling headphones.

    Dave

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