IanCrabbe

Thank you for your comments. I am the organist of Marlborough College and played for the service. It is true that there was a cipher and I greatly regret that we were unable to do anything between service and recital about this. This particular problem decided to manifest itself for the first time immediately before I started the voluntaries for the service. Not having sufficient time to deal with the problem, I removed the offending stop (the Pedal Fagott) from all pistons, and carried on. Not having used this stop for the service, the problem seemed to go away and I was unable to get the problem to repeat itself between service and recital, so we could do nothing before Simon Preston started his recital. Inevitably, the problem reappeared during his first piece, but I am pleased to say that Simon quickly identified and corrected the problem himself and dealt with it with minimal fuss. I hope the problem did not spoil the enjoyment of the recital for those present but I am glad that he carried on regardless rather than stopping and causing general embarrassment. We remain delighted with the instrument, which is a real pleasure to play - but I would say that of course! It has certainly revived my interest in going to do some practice! I am now greatly looking forward to welcoming members of this board to Marlborough on 24 February so that they can make up their own minds. Ian Crabbe

Nothing to do with the start of this topic, but at the place where I work, an enquiry to a music shop for a piece called Could I But Express In Song? drew the eventual reply that they were unable to find the Kodaly Buttocks Pressing Song.

I didn't listen to the radio broadcast on Christmas Eve from Kings; my comments which started this thread were made only after listening to the televised Carols from Kings which was on BBC2 at 5.15 pm. My feeling is that an obviously recorded and edited television programme cannot really conjure up the magic of this service - an opening shot of someone punting down the Cam didn't really do it for me. When was this service recorded - July? I think it would be far better if they televised the 3.00 pm service - live, then we might get some real atmosphere. We might also be treated to more than one voluntary after the service if the service underruns. PS: I don't think the choir librarian exactly needed to strain himself this year. Torches, The Three Kings and The First Nowell (arr. Willcocks) are all in Carols for Choirs Book 1.

I can't understand why the hymn playing was so poorly coordinated. I've heard it said that that organ's a devil to play but it didn't seem a problem when accompanying the choir. I did mean Martindale Sidwell - sorry. I must have been thinking of Marmaduke Conway - author of that fine tome Playing a church organ. Obviously been having too many vinos.

I don't know whether it's true or not, but it is said that Marmaduke Sidwell and John Dykes Bower used to have frequent arguments about who had the best choir. One day, Marmaduke suggested that in St Paul's Cathedral, all one needed to do was stand underneath the dome, break wind and you got a seven-fold amen. The question which arises is this: is Kings College Choir really good, or do they get away with murder with their superb acoustic? I am prompted to start this topic having endured 30 minutes of 'Carols from Kings' on BBC2. Is it a repeat from last year? I accept that the BBC have broadcasted the afternoon service since 1928 and tradition probably states that they should continue to do so. But in the evening, is is not time to let another choir have a go for a change? Any nominations?

Usually I find that such ignorance can be cushioned by a fat fee (which will be even fatter next year). Having said this, I'm in no position to shout. A few years ago I conducted a performance of Britten's Rejoice in the Lamb. At the end of the performance I duly acknowledged the the four soloists, the choir and anybody else I could see and left the organist - who had done a magnificent job and the majority of the hard work work - gently fuming at his console.

You are right about the quality of the speakers. We have had a three-manual Makin organ on hire where I play for the past 12 months. Previously it had been in Peterborough Cathedral I think. It came with 24 loudspeakers, including an enormous woofer for the 32 ft stops and about 3KW of power. I think the amplification itself was worth about £12,000. The building has a good acoustic (3 - 4 secs when the building is empty) and I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed playing this instrument. Whether I would want one permanently is another matter, but I do think that they have their place.