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pcnd5584

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Posts posted by pcnd5584

  3. Posted · Report reply

    Ha! ha!

     

    Well I would certainly concur with your thoughts on the BCP (1662) and the King James Version. At least it does not have those dreadful line drawings which are present in the Good News Version. We once had to hurriedly remove all the orders of service for a Confirmation from the choristers, most of whom were helpless with laughter. This was due to the rather innocent church secretary who had provided a cover design consisting of a line drawing of a candidate kneeling between a bishop's legs. The bishop had his hands on the candidate's head and...

     

    CENSORED!

     

    I am sure that you get the idea....

  4. Posted · Report reply

    Yes, Kilkhampton is a good instrument. I particularly like the Pedal Sub Bass 32p and the Bombarde - a real French rank which is most exciting - when it does not have dead pigeons down the resonators....

     

    Apparently Ron Watts became quite a good amateur organist before he died. He and Yates certainly did a good job designing that organ, although my preference would be to have a liitle more weight on the GO fonds - at present, in the tutti, the Pedal 32p and the Bombarde definitely win. I would also prefer a céleste in the Swell, instead of the Twelfth - in this, I do know that the present organist, Mr. Mike Richardson, a great friend, agrees with me. However, it is supposed to be a classical organ.

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Yes, I think that this is a good idea.

     

    Interestingly, the organ in Kilkhampton Parish Church has quite cleverly arranged pistons. Apart from almost certainly having the first general pistons in the county (two, in 1953) the three thumb pistons for the Pedal/GO are set differently to the three foot pistons. This means that, if one uses thumb and foot pistons alternately, a very smooth crescendo is possible.

  7. Posted · Report reply

    I agree about Blenheim Palace. I was also sorry to read about the parlous state of the organ in the Union Chapel.

     

    How about the extremely small three-clavier Willis in Kilkhampton Methodist Church (near Bude, North Cornwall)? I think that there are two stops per department but with the usual Bourdon only on the Pedale.

     

    Oxford Towm Hall - another wonderful Willis. I gave a recital there, last summer (well, actually swapped a recital for some money...) The organ was a joy to play, even with only four composition pedals each to Pedal/GO and Swell. The full organ was a most thrilling sound - the chorus reeds were quite brassy. The quieter registers were, without exception, extremely good.

     

    No doubt there are many others!

  10. Posted · Report reply

    Dear PCND5584,

     

    I think MM is teasing you, at least that is the way I read it. Perhaps his sense of humour was what caused Conrad Eden to walk away in the first place, though this would seem somewhat  discourteous to the other 39 people present unless they shared exactly the same sense of humour, and they had somehow collectively got up his, that is CE's, nose. But whatever his shortcomings as a host may have been, I totally agree that Conrad Eden was a superb musician and certainly the only player who has ever come close to persuading me that the Schoenberg Variations on a Recitative are worth taking the time to listen to , never mind the time required  to learn to play them. It is a pity that more of his artistry was not preserved on record. Apart from the first 5 Rheinberger Sonatas for Vista, I know of only two LPs one of which is Vol 9 in the Great Cathedral Organ Series. Does anyone out there know of anything else ?

     

    Brian Childs

     

    Best wishes,

     

    BAC

     

    Well, possibly! MM does appear to have an off-beat sense of humour.

     

    Yes, I agree that Conrad Eden's performance of the Schoenberg Variations is excellent. He really was a good organits. As you say, what a pity that there are not more recordings of his playing.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    I sincerely hope not.

    Oh, don't be a spoilsport. Some of us quite like tonal percussions for quiet effects. Anyway it might help it to double up as an entertainment organ and so encourage some more people to attend recitals thus helping to defray the costs. And  didn't JSB ask for the addition of a set of bells to the organ at Arnstadt ?

     

    BAC

     

     

    Hmm.... it is often difficult enough for organists to persuade other professional musicians to take the organ seriously as it is - particularly orchestral players. I remain unconvinced that percussion effects and other toys will serve to advance our cause.

     

    If one is going to add useful accessories, I would prefer a mini-bar.

     

    Perhaps even JSB could be wrong! :blink:

  12. Posted · Report reply

    Re: St.Bride's Fleets Street and St.George's R.C. Cathedral Southwark*

     

    Thanks to correspondents who have reminded us of these two good and interesting instruments.  Incidentally, I believe that the organ at St.George's Southwark is recently much improved.  When I knew it in the 70's it was all enclosed, recent revisions have changed this, greatly to its benefit as regards effectiveness in the building....

     

    ....In an early issue of The Organ (my copy is currently in store so I can't give you a number) there is an advertisement from Heles of Plymouth who claimed in that advert that their voicers had recently worked right through the Truro organ when it was overhauled by them and revoiced all the reeds.  If anyone nowadays says that Truro does not sound exactly like a Father Willis I venture to suggest that this is the reason.

     

    Southwark - I heard this organ on last year's Midnight Mass - it did indeed sound extremely good, even through the TV speakers.

     

    There is probably some truth and some exaggeration in this. It is certainly true that the GO Tromba 8p was slightly revoiced (probably some time in the 1960s) - John Winter (former Titulaire) told me that himself - and I have also read it in another source. However, I am sceptical of their statement that they had revoiced all the reeds. However, it would be interesting to obtain further information. I will ask Lance Foy, to see if he can shed any light on the matter.

     

    While on the subject of large Compton organs, I submit that St. Luke's, Chelsea is also a fine instrument, although I have not played it for a while. Consequently I do not know the current state of preservation of the instrument.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    He was fairly trenchant in his views about instruments and players, but sometimes preferred (in public and for the sake of a perfomance at all!) to go with the flow. The Partita was first performed on the (then-new HN&B)RCO and Festival Hall organs. He said that he could not have chosen two worse instruments for the purpose. I have an autographed score with several of his comments upon it, not least interesting are his notes to show where Novellos had changed the text against his wishes. 

     

    Sorry to go on!

    I simply must recount the tale of The Organ Club's recent visit (? 4 years ago) to Gloucester Cathedral.  We were graced with the presence of the managing director of Nicholsons who was forced (as we all were) to hear that instrument struggle with accompanying choral evensong.  In addition to the difficulties outlined earlier on this web-site, on that day it was foully out-of-tune.  To top it all, what did we get for a voluntary?  (In my opinion, of course,) it was so unwise a choice as to be comic - we were treated to the opening movement of Whitlock's Sonata. The duplexed Great reeds and the Cornet of Manual IV having to do duty for the (missing) Tuba.

     

    It was like hearing the 'best bit' of Swan Lake played by a school orchestra with the swan melody given out on massed Kazoos.

    I should note that the organ does 'work' as a solo instrument provided that the music is chosen with care:  James Lancelot's (German-biased) programme recently was a triumph, I also applaud the most intelligent choice of repertoire Robert Houssart has recently recorded for a new CD.

     

    I'll shut up about Gloucester now.

     

     

    Well, I must agree with you regarding the choice of instruments on which the music of Howells was performed.

     

    However (I am sure you were expecting this) I have a problem with your Gloucester statements!

     

    Having heard/played it many times, it has never, to my ears, struggled to accompany Choral Evensong. The first time I heard a service there, DB was playing and his imaginitive and utterly musical accompaniment of Noble in B-minor was enchanting and entirely appropriate. In fact, it was the only time that I have been able to raise enthusiasm for this oft-performed setting. (Fortunately, at my own church, we do not do it too often, these days.)

     

    Furthermore, I have never heard the Gloucester organ in a foully out-of-tune state - not even in the height of summer! However, any organ can have its off-days.

     

    I have an old recording of Peterborough Cathedral organ. Christopher Gower is playing. I believe the last track is the Entrée Pontificale of Bossi. For the last three chords, treble E on the Tuba is hideously out-of-tune! Why? I would have checked such things before a recording. A stop speaking on 500mm is unlikely suddenly to slip so far out; and, if it did, I would have got someone to hold down the key whilst I went aloft and re-tuned the note!

     

    This is not an isolated case, either!

     

    I am pleased to note your comments re-recent recordings on the Gloucester organ. I shall try to obtain a copy of the Robert Houssart CD. I understand that he is also extremely gifted as an improviser, too. :lol:

     

    I will try to shut up about Gloucester now.... :blink::D

  15. Posted · Report reply

    ==================

     

     

    There are far too many women in the photographs. People might get the wrong impression. I would suggest hiring a handsome male extra of Latin origin, and have him lurk in the background, just to add a touch of mystery.

     

    MM

     

    Excuse me?

     

    However, I would always recommend washing the cucumber before replacing it in the fridge.

  16. Posted · Report reply

    No there was not anything wrong with it, space and accessibilty is supposedly why it went, together with the Choir and Solo mostly. A glance at the before and after specs reveals the full extent of the the work. I played it some years ago and think the swell and great, and bulk of pedal, and odd solo stops remaining(now on the choir, really a positive otherwise) would form an excellent basis  for reversal of a lot of what had been done. The Willis work always was, and is glorious. The 32 reed has certainly been toned down, not to its improvement. The fire has gone. As to space being the reason for the 32' and other work going, two bays of the triforium are now all but empty. :lol:  :D  :P

     

    Thanks - that is one mystery solved. I would not have done that, though. Probably not even for aparments in Florida and Paris... :blink:

  17. Posted · Report reply

    Yep some do use other names other than their own. I'm as guilty as the next,as I used Roffensis, ie Rochester, as it is where I am originally from. But I am Richard Astridge, in Liverpool, and hey I am glad for folks to know me :blink: , to agree or disagree with me on some of my admittedly pretty strong opinions I guess!.....sorry! I blame the Oasthouses myself.

    Now where was I?

    Oh yes! yours truly,

    George Spindlefleurte :D  :lol:

     

    Read your letter in Choir and Organ!

     

    But surely, half the fun is trying to work out who everyone is! :P

  18. Posted · Report reply

    Well, if we are going to stick to the size of scheme which I originally suggested (on the other thread) I would suggest:

     

    PEDAL ORGAN

     

    Open Diapason (M) 16

    Sub Bass 16

    Quint 10 2/3 (S.B.)

    Octave (M)

    Flute 8

    Super Octave 4

    Flute 4

    Bombarde (M) 16

    Bass Trumpet (Sw.)

    Clarion 8 (Ext.)

    Shawm 4

     

    GO

     

    Quintatön 16

    Open Diapason 8

    Stopped Diapason 8

    Wald Flute 8

    Gamba 8

    Principal 4

    Nason Flute 4

    Nazard 2 2/3

    Fifteenth 2

    Tierce 1 3/5

    Furniture (19, 22, 26, 29)

    Corno di Bassetto 8

    Orchestral Trumpet 8

    Orchestral Clarion 4

    Reeds on Swell

     

    SWELL ORGAN

     

    Open Diapason 8

    Lieblich Gedeckt 8

    Salicional 8

    Vox Angelica (TC) 8

    Geigen Principal 4

    Harmonic Flute 4

    Flageolet 2

    Mixture (15, 19, 22)

    Bass Trumpet 16

    Hautboy 8

    Cornopean 8

     

    COUPLERS

     

    GO-Pedal

    Swell-Pedal

    Swell 4p-Pedal

     

    Swell 16p-GO

    Swell-GO

    Swell 4p-GO

     

    Swell Tremulant

    Sub Octave

    Unison Off

    Octave

     

    Great & Pedal Pistons Coupled

    Generals on Swell Foot Pistons

     

    Eclectic to an extent - many successful schemes are. But also, quite English. However, I have specified a Bombarde on the Pedal. This would be the only real leaning towards France. I just do not like fat, bumbling Trombones or Ophicleides. Yes, I know they suit many organs up and down the country, but I still do not like the timbre - or the attack....

     

    Anyone else got a similar-sized scheme? :blink:

  19. Posted · Report reply

    The input should be sampled from the sampled organ in St Agnes Liverpool that was sampled from various pipe organs of the finest magnitude. Really, with all this DNA technology, it should be possible to actually recreate a lost organ stop with just a memory cell from a living or deceased person. Think test tube organ pipes and you've got it. These could then put in a organ sperm bank, called for clarity say, a Spermapiporium, and it could be used solely for the enhancement of the digital organ world. What imput? oh!!  a NAD 20 watts per channel (soft clipping of course) will do I think??

    Richard  :blink:  :lol:

     

     

    Oh puh-leeeez....

     

    How about an inflatable organ? - available wherever it is needed. Ideally it would slip into a medium-sized hold-all when not in use. (It can also be partnered with an inflatable statue of Mary - for use in traffic-jams.)

  20. Posted · Report reply

    Two questions:

     

    I have an LP from Salisbury's cathedral (Richard Seal playing Bach, Liszt

    and Franck), recorded in January 1981. The organ was then maintained

    by H&H since 1976, and before that by Noël Mander.

    Was it then already "butchered"?

     

    Best wishes,

    Pierre Lauwers.

     

    Absolutely not - Manders had previously divided the Pedal mixture into two stops of two ranks (presumably to isolate the lower-pitched ranks). H&H re-united the mixture, re-made the stop jambs and replaced the foot pedals (installed by Mander) with foot pistons. The Choir and Pedal stops also swapped positions on the jambs, I believe. As far as I am aware, no revoicing was carried out at this time.

     

    The comprehensive restoration in 1934 saw some tonal alterations - a Nazard and Tierce were added to the Choir Organ and the Solo Organ was augmented by a 'cello Céleste. Apparently Walter Alcock (Titulaire at the time) was visiting Willis's works and heard this rank being voiced for (I believe) Westminster Cathedral and practically begged Willis to let him purchase it for Salisbury. I am exremely glad he did, because it is the most wonderful sound. I was playing before a service there, a year or two ago (having forgotten about the Solo Céleste) and I changed claviers (to the Solo Organ) and very nearly wet myself.... There was this glorious, warm, etherial shimmer, which just permeated the whole building....

     

    The only slight disappointment from the console is the 32p reed (which speaks on a pressure of 225mm). However, its reticence is largely due to the fact that it is placed in the North Transept, behing the 32p flue (metal). Strangely, this latter stop is perfectly audible from the console.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    ===============

     

    ...Interestingly, where the Arthur Harrison mixtures have been discarded and replaced, as at Halifax Parish Church, the end result is really not very musically satisfying, but some people just had it in their heads that "brightness" and assertiveness was required in Mixtures, when in fact, the very best Mixtures just tinkle away quite delicately, as the old Arthur Harrison ones did.

     

    MM

     

    This was, apparently, the case at St. Mary. Redcliffe - although I understand that they have been since partly altered/re-instated.

     

    It does, however, depend on what type of organ one plays. I would not wish to lose any of the chorus mixtures on my own instrument for something that 'tinkle away quite delicately' - I would not find any use for such a mixture. In particular, my own instrument comes alive, as it were, when the Cymbal III is added and coupled to the other choruses.

     

    Hull City Hall? - God, no - it is a stunning sound!

     

    I have an old recording which I acquired of Peter Goodman playing it. The organ sounds fabulous - the John Cook Fanfare (with at least two different Solo reeds) is very exciting. You know - toes clench in shoes as Full Swell comes shining through the diapasons.... :blink:

  22. Posted · Report reply

    ===========

     

    I don't think it's very fair to refer to the late Conrad Eden as a fruit-machine.

     

    It may well be true, judging by the fact that he just walked away from 40 of us visiting the cathedral at Durham by prior arrangement, and we had to somehow fend for ourselves and "persuade" the verger to allow us to play the organ....but it's still not fair!   

     

    :blink:  MM

     

    No - read my post more carefully!!

     

    I was referring to the bizarre (and un-labelled) foot-piston layout on the H&H console. Because the pistons were laid-out in such a strange way and beacuse they were also un-labelled, whether or not one obtained the stop-changes which were desired was somewhat arbitrary - that was the reference to the fruit-machine!

     

    To the best of my knowledge, Conrad Eden was a superb musician, who knew his instrument intimately and was able to make full use of it at virtually every service.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    Oh. Lord, that's bad.

     

    "Wrestling Jacob" remains a prime choce for weddings in my book.

     

    I have also had to play Fight the Good Fight. God - do these people not think?!

     

    Ah well, it can only get worse.

     

    I suspect that one of my pupils is the world's only surviving brain donor, so, in about fifteen years' time I expect that I will have to play Cock of the North or something even worse at that wedding....

     

    :P:P:P:P

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