Paul Carr

Ah ha... Mine would be very near; somewhere over the river on an isle!

Are you going to tell us which instrument that is?

Wasn't his recording of the Howells Sonata from Hereford? (Or has he recorded it more than once?) P.

Good point, although they do have two large cameras installed in the organ loft...

...and Lichfield Cathedral the night before. (That's 11th and 12th September 2009)

Sounds great, please count me in. Shall we all wear badges to reveal our identities!? P.

Thanks for these Richard, what a cool view of the organ case and console!

It's a few bars of the Toccatina for Flute by Yon. P

I think that you speak a lot of sense, David. The same point about the follow-up has concerned me too. At Birmingham Organists' Association I think we have it buttoned up: our Leonard-Gibbons fund will also provide some funding for either a course of lessons (and we 'approve' the teacher to be used) or to purchase music. The application for this is very simple, basically a letter. The BOA Council are very aware of the pit falls of cold locked churches, etc. and I hope that we steer those interested, maybe via 'Dan', towards those in the area that will encourage and nurture. I think it has to be done locally, Dan may hook a few in on a national level and this will help greatly, but it's up to those on the ground to take it from there. P.

I just had an invite to join this Facebook Group... It may clarify the thinking of those stirring it up, it seems they want to keep it where it is. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Basic Info Type: Entertainment & Arts - Performing Arts Description: The Cavaillé-Coll organ has been in the Parr Hall since the 1920's and it is an important, mostly unaltered instrument, one of the few outside of France, and one of the only Cavaillé-Coll concert organs anywhere. Its removal from the Parr Hall to create more space is a mistake which future generations will regret: it will devalue the Parr Hall as a concert venue. It is an important part of Warrington's cultural heritage. Please sign the petition! Contact Info Email: Website: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Cavaill... Office: http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Cavaillecoll/ Location: Warrington, United Kingdom Recent NewsPlease remember to sign the petition and ask your friends to visit the site too! http://petitions.number10.gov.uk/Cavaillecoll/ Quite frankly, we need people to make further contact with those in authority and tell them that : The organ is used and wanted. It is played much more than the 6 times a year the Organ Society have told the council by other organisations such as The Warrington Male Voice Choir and CODYS (A young persons musical theatre group). Please feel free to add you own personal touch too!However, you must keep it polite and to the point for it to be taken seriously. Try this to find your MP and contact them: http://www.parliament.uk/directories/directories.cfm You have to write to your own MP usually. You can also contact the Culture Secretary, Andy Burnham if you are from outside (or inside) Warrington: http://www.culture.gov.uk/contact_us/default.aspx You can also try this website: http://www.writetothem.com/ apparently you can contact your MP, Councillors, MEP, a member of the House of Lords etc... You can also write to your MP of course, at: House of Commons London SW1A 0AA Tel: +44 (0)20 7219 3000 Warrington South: Helen Southworth Warrington North: Helen Jones Other useful sites: http://www.warrington.gov. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- P.

I received this email yesterday: "The association of Les Amis de l'Art de Marcel Dupré has just released a fascinating 2-hour DVD of French television film footage of the great man. The films - made at Saint-Sulpice and at his home in Meudon - were recorded in 1955, 1965, 1967 and 1969. In addition to chatting with another legend, Bernard Gavoty (one of his great allies), he can be seen playing music of Bach (including BWV565), Handel and himself (including the first movement of the Symphonie-Passion); there are several extended improvisations, including those on themes by Rolande Falcinelli and André Fleury. Despite his age - and that sadly Dupré was an old man by this time, his hands (and therefore his technique somewhat) ravaged by the arthritis that so distorted his fingers in his older years - he gets really "stuck in" to some of these! The conversations between him and Gavoty as fascinating too, and the charm and humour of Dupré (so often spoken of by many as a kind of ogre) a joy to see. He reminisces about his beginnings as an organist, and even mimicks the irascible Saint-Saens! You can also see the ever-watchful and devoted Mme Dupré sitting listening to her husband in the music room of their home. Until the end of October the cost is 30 € (excluding postage); after that, it will be 35 €." I presume this is where the Youtube clips have originated... I was also sent an order form and payment details, complicated as they can't process card payments, which I can forward to anyone interested who sends a PM with their email address. P.

The Ropewalk. We go there a lot too!!

I always think that the case housing the Walker in St Chad's Cathedral Birmingham is very impressive. I never knew the instrument in there before 1993, but have seen pictures of it... row of grey chimneys and a chamade sums it up... so, if nothing else, it's a huge improvement!

It may, or may not help - simply with balance more than anything else - to swap the RH and LH parts from 23 bars before the end (the Eb7 chord?) of the G minor Prelude until Dupré swaps them anyway 11 bars before the end... I find either way comfortable/uncomfortable dependig on the instrument. Also it gives the LH a rest if the action's heavy. Don't forget the F minor P&F Op7. Musically it has more 'depth' than the outer two... I'm learning it at the moment... P.

Thank you! I really did enjoy it as much as I expected, it's a fabulous building, space and instrument! Rehearsing and really getting to know the instrument, which I've heard for so many years from downstairs and the tribune, from 11pm until 2.30am on the Friday before was incredible. It did produce a 'hangover' style head the next day though!! And... GT-B's Elegy worked like a dream, many people commenting on how 'English' the ND organ can sound! P.

Wow! The way he effortlessly plays the last two pages of Transports... the unison bit, with complete accuracy, relaxed and yet still very exciting is incredible. I've watched those last two pages six times now!!! Amazing.

Adrian, As others have already said at various points during this thread, it's been extremely interesting to watch this new organ coming to life. I very much look forward to hearing it. Very many thanks for taking the time to post here during what's been an extremely busy time for you. With best wishes, Paul.

and... Erm, wasn't David Briggs' Sortie on 'In Dulci Jubilo'...

Truely stunningly musical playing, the 2nd Symphony really 'makes sense' in his hands (and feet!) It's one of the finest Dupré recordings available IMHO The ND organ has been captured well too.

We had it at ours - and it's our tenth anniversary at the end of the month. Priory issued a CD of the best of the first 30 (I think) releases of 'Great European Organs' it was on that from the Blackburn recording, that's how I came to know it. I think it is one of the great examples of the French Toccata. P

Yes, I enjoy Reuchsel's music too. Well worth exploring. From Volume 1 of Promenades en Provence: Nuages ensoleillées sur le Cap Nègre (Sunlit clouds on Cap Nègre) is a spectacular toccata, its double pedalling gave the Divided Pedal an outing at Truro last summer. I've learnt Tambourinaires sur la place des Vieux Salins, (Drummers in the place des Vieux Salins) too, but not given that a public outing yet!

Mine was on time, well actually I could see her at the west door 2 minutes early! And the nice parish secretary not only brought me the organ key over to the console on my arrival, but a cup of coffee too!! (Perhaps she thought I looked like I needed keeping awake?! )

'Suite de danses' would be a good start. Lots of tricks and harmonic twists to study, and very much the Cochereau style IMO. David Briggs' transcription and he's recorded them at Blackburn cathedral. Also the recording of the actual improvisation by Cochereau is available from Solstice... However, as for 'not over expensive' - my score cost £30 in 2003...

Yep, there are top F#s and Gs all over the place in Pagaent... Makes it unplayable if you don't have a 32 note pedalboard. Well, that was my excuse until I moved church and now have a 32 note pedal board and, yes you've guessed it, the Sowerby is still unplayable! There are one or two top pedals Gs in Dupré's Cortège et Litanie too, St Sulpice does not have a top pedal G, but we know that dear Marcel spent a lot of time touring the States...

And... for all its imperfections it still has to be the most exciting recording of this work ever made. The new one (made last year?) is 'better' in some ways, but not as successful in raising hairs on the back of the neck!!