Barry Oakley

There's nothing like live music, but for those who have not enjoyed the experience of hearing the magnificent organ of Hull City Hall, here are some audio and combined audio-visual clips featuring Paul Derrett, better known in times past on these pages as "Cynic." They amply give a reasonable impression of the organ's vast resources. http://www.paulderrett.co.uk/multimedia.html

The organ of Hull City Hall is a truly magnificent instrument. As a young boy I was privileged to see Compton’s rebuild and enlarge it in 1950 and got to know Jimmy Taylor, John Compton’s right-hand man. I attended the first recital given by Fernando Germani and Norman Strafford, the City Organist and consultant overseeing the rebuild. Perhaps understandably, nobody has mentioned in this thread the organ in Hull Minster (formerly Holy Trinity Parish Church) which contains yet another masterpiece by way of a rebuild and enlargement by Compton. Having not been rebuilt since 1938 it is presently not in the best of health. The reeds were sublimely voiced by the legendary Billy Jones. When funds are eventually raised for a complete restoration it will be another gem in the Yorkshire organ scene.

Yes I realise this. My profession was a PR consultant.

So true. I often tune into the news programme, BBC Look North that covers East Yorkshire and Lincolnshire, especially because Hull is the so-called City of Culture 2017. You can bet that if there's a twang and bang concert in the city it will be covered by the programme. Yet recently the Hull Philharmonic Orchestra celebrated an anniversary which included a world premiere of Karl Jenkins' "6000 Pipes," a tribute to Hull's magnificent Forster & Andrews/John Compton concert organ in the City Hall and with Jonathan Scott at the console. Did the BBC cover it in their local TV news programme by perhaps interviewing the organist or giving a flavour of the organ piece? Of course not, it's serious culture and it's the BBC!

http://www.liverpoolcathedral.org.uk/home/cathedral-music/our-organ.aspx

David Poulter............... I can't believe that the Liverpool Cathedral website is apparently so out of date, but interestingly the list of organists ceases at the name of Ian Tracey, against which it states: 1988 to Present. There is no mention of David Poulter.

Quite a coincidence that you should post such a topic, Colin. Last Saturday I was at a dinner in Hull and one of my table neighbours and I were discussing the state of disrepair of the 104-stop F&A/Compton in the city’s Holy Trinity Church. Apart from tunings it’s not been overhauled in all its 78 years. But as a layman, although university qualified in electronics, my neighbour had not the slightest idea of what might lay behind frontice pipes and how keys and stops transmitted to the organ although he realised electricity was the means. As our conversation developed I found myself explaining the differences between flues and reeds, scaling and methods of tuning. Like you, I sent him some of the H&H videos and stills of what’s taking place at King’s. He’s amazed and keenly wishes us to continue the conversation the next time we’re likely to be dining together.

Posted a day too early, perhaps???

There has been quite a clear-out (or should it be exodus?) from Newcastle Cathedral in recent years. Scott Farrell and James Norrey to Rochester and now the departure of Michael Stoddart. Perhaps there's unfavourable news regarding the restoration of the pipe organ?

"And will the focus of activity continue to converge only on cathedrals and a few large churches and concert halls? Is this picture shared by others, or do the numbers of aspiring players entering other music colleges from a broader educational background tell a more encouraging story? I don't know as I don't have access to this side of the picture. I should like to know." Your guess is perhaps as good as mine, Colin. But I fear it will be the concert halls, cathedrals, and very large churches who will be the main focus in the future, Lack of money in a city such as Hull is perhaps putting a question mark over the future of the four-manual, 104-stop instrument in Holy Trinity even though it's the country's largest parish church. Compton rebuilt and enlarged it in 1938 when the city supported large, family businesses, the owners of those businesses being typical public benefactors. I often wonder where the finance is going to come from for the organ's much needed renovation.

The Compton Tuba at Holy Trinity, Hull, is, to my ears, a mighty stop. And before the rebuild (not heard it since) another Compton Tuba at Bridlington Priory.

Sorry to learn of this. Ronnie nearly always played the organ at Sheffield City Hall when the city's Philharmonic Chorus were appearing with the Halle Orchestra. He was always a nice person to chat with after the Saturday afternoon rehearsal. He and the late organ builder, George Sixsmith were very good friends. It was George's company that rebuilt the organ at St Anne's several years ago.

I live near Oulton Abbey, Staffordshire, and will try and get a specification list to submit to the NPOR. The abbey, a fine building, is the work of Pugin the younger and is only open daily at Mass times. In its heyday the abbey had a complement of around 40 Benedictine nuns in its enclosure. Now there are only two with a resident chaplain.

John's funeral service in New York commences at 11.00am and perhaps we should pause for quiet reflection here in the UK at 4.00pm BST in memory of John and the gifts and resulting pleasure he brought to so many of us.

I am surprised that there are apparently few obituaries to John Scott, given his status as one of the world's leading organists. There is a piece on Choir & Organ's website but it looks to have been cobbled together. Is it too much to expect that the BBC will perhaps do a tribute to John? I listened earlier today to one of his Hyperion recordings I have in my collection of works by Dupre. Made in 1998 at St Paul's, It was magic listening to it again.

What a way to start the day when I switched on Radio 3 this morning to learn of the untimely death of the great organist, John Scott. I am deeply shocked and saddened by this news. To my mind he ranked amongst the top five organists I have ever had the privilege of hearing live. In fact I would put him right at the top. His directorship of the music at St Paul’s was equally outstanding. RIP. John. Memory eternal.

To my ears these all sound different and improved since rebuilding. No doubt Downes was on hand when his creations were being originally voiced. I would be surprised if he were not.

I have a feeling that history will not be enamoured too much with Downes meddling. His Buckfast creation is now gone and his influence on the organs in the RFH, Gloucester and St Albans cathedrals has all but dissolved. Michela Ruffatti tells me that they are very busy making the soundboards and pipework for the new Buckfast job. Incidentally, Ruffatti are holding an open day in Padova during October and when work on their Buckfast organ can be seen. I daresay that if any forum members are in the Padova region at the time they would be most welcome to attend, but it would be prudent to contact the company well beforehand.

http://grenzing.com/RadioFrance/index.html

http://grenzing.com/RadioFrance/index.html

Sorry, but as a former technical journalist I was always taught never to use jargon unless it was first qualified.

Agree with you, Colin.

Are you not forgetting Westminster Abbey?

The last time I visited Paul several years ago he had much to do on his barn organ. The old Tewkesbury console was still under wraps and as a temporary measure he was using the former 3-manual console from Cheltenham Ladies College.

Buckfast is stinking rich. Pass the "Buckie" please.