Colin Richell
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Posts posted by Colin Richell
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As an ex concert organiser for Ally Pally I am well aware of the problems of the Willis organ being situated in the Great Hall, the glass roof creating a sauna in the summer and the antiquated heating providing a refrigerated experience in the winter months.
In fact, the heating system is very noisy and needs to be switched off when the organ is playing causing members of the audience to complain about the cold.
Temperatures in the hall can vary by the hour meaning that often the organ is out of tune, and this caused me great embarrassment for the audience who had paid good money to hear the organ.
Often, in the past the tannoy has been heard during a concert, because no-one has bothered to turn the thing off.
I can only apologise for the fact that members of the Organ Appeal, were seen to be wandering around the hall, and even on the gallery. They know better than this, and I always made it clear that I found that behaviour unsatisfactory. To make it worse , of course they were seen on the close circuit screens, which in my opinion are any eyesore and and a total waste of £9,000.better spent on the organ.
I hope that Dr Jackson was not offended, and I have some sympathy that he would have to climb those terrible concrete steps to reach the gallery !
Having previously talked about attracting people to concerts, it would be interesting to know how many turned up, and whether they were attracted by the venue, organ or the recitalist ! When a silent film show is arranged are people attracted by the films rather than the organ playing ?
It is to my eternal regret that I never invited Dr Jackson to play in my time at the Palace, especially as he first heard the organ in 1936 !
My publicity reached thousands of people and yet some concerts only attracted a handful of people.
I do wonder though why so many recitalists fail to offer their services to venues, while of course many do. I was inundated with requests from organists to play the organ, many of which I accepted.
I would not blame anyone for not realising that it was 73 years since Dr Jackson was involved with Ally Pally, because there is so much to do when you are an organiser(often 6 months work in advance)
and attracting TV crews to concerts is a thing of the past.
Finally I regret to report the death of a previous chair of the Organ Appeal, Arthur Phillips, who was involved with the project for 25 years. How sad he could not see the restoration of his beloved organ.
Colin Richell.
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Further to the comments about organ recital organisers, there were one or two interesting moments during Dr Francis Jackson's recital yesterday afternoon at Ally Pally. On two occasions Tannoy announcements could be heard filtering through from another part of the complex (the Ice Rink, perhaps) and the custodians of the organ seemed to think nothing of wandering around during the recital, both in the organ gallery (in full view) and in front of the close-circuit TV screens). This was rather distracting and a discourtesy to Dr Jackson whose playing was as vivid and hugely enjoyable as ever. His programme was beautifully judged, though he perplexed one or two of the locals in the audience who couldn't work out why the encore wasn't "on the programme". FAJ enjoyed himself so much that he added another encore - the Cocker Tuba Tune - which the organ just about coped with! It was a memorable occasion. Astonish to think that FAJ first heard the Ally Pally organ live in 1936 but hadn't given a recital on it until yesterday, 73 years later. Where were the press and TV crews to record this event? Did they give it a mention in their local bulletins beforehand?
MKR
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I don't think that's something that happens with anyone often, and I never have.
Advertising recitals is an art in itself: who is the target audience? Will your target audience be interested/excited by the fact that there's a huge tuba/32' reed/other large sticking-out party horn/chorus of Dulcianas, etc, etc, or by the recitalist, or by the fact the console is on view by some means or other, or the fame of the building attached to the recitalist's name, or by the pieces being played.
Possibly all of the above for those from the 'organ world' probably the last two or three for the rest of the vaguely interested population...
Advertise that the programme will include Widor V, or some well-known transcription like the William Tell Overture and you immediately double your chances of success IMHO...
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yes you are right Nick I should have mentioned the programme, although some concert organisers do not always provide details of the music to be played, in advance presumably because recitalists often change the programe on the day.
Colin Richell.
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But not the works being played, apparently
Mind you, it has to be said that promoters of recitals - unlike the promoters of operas, orchestral concerts, et. al. - seem to think the works being performed are of little consequence, as they rarely give much (if any) advance notice of them. Imagine turning up at Covent Garden not knowing whether one was going to hear Handel, Wagner, Mozart or Birtwistle!
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Obviously I would hope that all concert organisers would automatically notify organrecitals.com and Steve Dunk, especially if punters do not search the Mander web site. so that the particular concert is notified to as many people as possible.The two concerts mentioned are already listed, and I have made sure of that.
There may be people who are not aware of organrecitals.com, but will now be persuaded to look at this on a weekly basis, and also subscribe with Steve Dunk accordingly.
all credit to Steve and Stephen who give much of their free time to produce the relevant web sites. and just imagine how much this free publicity is worth !
I make the point again that I would not attend a concert because a particular make of organ is being featured. I am more interested in the Recitalist, venue and the condition of the said organ.and this does not seem to be understood looking at some of the postings. Perhaps one day, however Manders will advertise on their own web site concerts where Mander organs are being played if this is not done already, or would this be regarded as unethical ?
Colin Richell.
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I agree Paul, Organ recital.com does not give all the recitals there are, unless someone has put them there in the first place, and like many forum members, this "board" is my next port of call after checking my e-mail. So as they say, "you read it here first"
Peter
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There is adequate coverage of forthcoming concerts provided by Steve Dunk and under www.organrecitals.com courtesy of Stephen Smith, featuring all different organ builders, so this should avoid too many individual postings hopefully.
Colin Richell.
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Recital at 8pm this evening at St. Peter's Collegiate Church, Ruthin by Colin Walsh
Next week (15th), Neil Wright (Farnborough Abbey)
DW
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As a railway enthusiast I should know the answer but I think the trains ran from Waterloo and it had its own station and platform long since gone.
Colin Richell
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Nope. It is toe-curlingly patronising. Evelyn Waugh simply didn't go far enough!
I thought the demise of the London Necropolis and National Mausoleum Company was a great pity, if only because of the loss of such a splendid name. Had its own railway, too, at one time.
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That is very disappointing to hear that the Tower organ is amplified, surely that is cheating ? Does this happen in large churches and cathedrals to pipe organs. ?
Thanks Alan for your confirmation.and contribution.
Colin Richell.
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What a shame Carlo Curley is not English, because that would solve the problem !
Colin Richell.
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To really put our instrument where it belongs in this country, we need an English Cameron Carpenter. I think the chances of finding someone like this, who can connect to the masses through the classical-crossover market are quite low unfortunately.
It doesn't matter what anyone personally thinks of him. He brings more people into the organ, and takes it out of its liturgical chains. This can surely only be celebrated?
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Another problem is that many mourners wish to play their own cd's (ie favourite music of the deceased) and therefore would not wish to pay for the organ and organist.
Very few mourners take part in the hymn singing, and unfortunately the organist is not always of the best quality.
I, am, of course talking about crematoriums, and I assume that a church funeral service would not allow pre-recorded music.
Colin Richell
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I read in my latest copy of "The Weekly News" that a disgruntled vicar has hit out at the growing pratice of what he calls "karaoke" funerals.
The Rev Brian Stevens is incensed that his local crematorium in Northampton is dispensing with the services of its veteran organist Tony Edwards and his assistant and replacing them with a computerised music player.
The player stores a library of hymns and can download new songs and is being used in increasing numbers in crematoria and places of worship.
Rev Stevens describes the new system as "dire" and insisted an organist plays according to the congregation, while a music system doesn't.
It is awful, karaoke machines are for pubs.
Dignity Funerals who own the crematorium insist that the music system offers a better service.
Who is right ?
Colin Richell.
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I well remember many years ago, we had a" purchase a pipe appeal" for the Ally Pally Organ Appeal, and I purchased many pipes, with a certificate being issued.
My recollection is that we did not raise that much funding, and I am not sure what happened to it.
We also had a dummy pipe for donations, but often that would ony receive pennies rather than pounds.
So, this appears not to be the way forward to raise money for restoration, the answer being a very kind benefactor, who will realise that you can not take it with you, if you get my drift.
Good luck anyway to Ripon Cathedral.
Colin Richell.
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I have just attended a funeral in Enfield crem, and the music was provided by a choir, and accompanied by a portable electric piano (I have never known this before).
Therefore the organist and organ was totally redundant, which I would have much preferred to hear ! even if it was a toaster.!
Colin Richell
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Good to hear that Dr Jackson will be performing at venues on the 30th May, 6th June, 12th June, 30th July and 15th August.
He will playing on fine well maintained organs, and such a distinguished performer deserves this.
I shall encourage my organ loving friends to support these concerts.
Colin Richell.
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About Doctor "FJ": he is scheduled for at least seven organ recitals, according to www.organrecitals.com:
- 8 May: St George's, Gateshead
- 30 May: St Giles, Lincoln
- 6 June: Rochdale Parish Church
- 12 June: St Helen's, Stonegate, York
- 12 July: Alexandra Palace London
- 30 July: York Central Methodist Church
- 15 August: York Minster Summer Recital
Isn't he amazing!
Gerco Schaap (NL)
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presumably, if the money is raised, David Wells will undertake the work on the organ ?
Colin Richell.
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Oh, there are so many possible ripostes to this...
...but I daren't, I really daren't...
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yes the same as respected organ builders being swallowed up by smaller companies, not something I believe is always condoned by the organ world.
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I suppose that that is sensible if they are hoping to keep this title going and to sell it on etc..
Let's hope that a suitable buyer can be found and that it doesn't just get swallowed up by one of the other periodicals groups.
DW
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