AJJ

I have just got hold of a CD set of his complete (I think) organ music - of it's type and time some of it is rather good. Does anyone play any of it? A

another good one from the late Gerre Hancock - I wish I could do things like this before hymns! A

Wow - any soundbites? A

And in the case of the Southampton organ (albeit 30 + years ago now) even manage provide a very lively and acceptable authentic sounding continuo and 'padding out' for performances of Messiah etc. by the Southampton University Choral Soc. A

Edited out

A good many seem to have very polarised views on this instrument and it is interesting to read these when they surface. All this is very subjective of course but having practiced on and sung for a number of years regularly with the organ in its previous incarnation I agree with all of Dr Peter King's points made in the above article (which I had not seen before) about the old and the new following the Klais 'reorganisation'. As a reasonably frequent attendee at recitals in the Abbey and having played the organ albeit sometime ago this organ is one I like very much. To me at any rate it 'plays' well and certainly the sound is fantastically exciting either liturgically or in the hands of those willing not to just play 'by convention' but with open ears so to speak. The musicians who work with it sunday by sunday use it superbly within the first rate musical tradition at the Abbey and I feel sure none of them would have accepted anything second best when the work was done. Likewise many recitalists who play at Bath are favourably disposed towards it. It is to me proof that the dogged determination of Peter King et al in the early days (and with some not inconsiderable opposition from those supposedly 'in the know') to get something really effective and above all really musical paid off. A

I quite like it. A

'Spotted this during a free period at school - food for thought! I wonder what it sounds like. A

Here it is! A

Happy new Year to all here! A

Because some of us can't see them if they are any smaller!! Another topic perhaps but I discovered this at a nearby crematorium yesterday. My organ glasses which work perfectly well at home or at church gave a decidedly dodgy view on the 2 manual electronic I played - following two minutes of 'getting used to'. The book that worked the best was H O & N - mind you I only had to cope with its wonky version of Dear Lord and Father.... and a bit of left foot bass for Give me Joy in my Heart. My A5 folder of 'useful music' was only just useful too. Probably a sign of age. A

Now sorted ! A

If anyone has a copy of Egil Hovland's Toccata 'fra himmel hoyt' please could they PM me. Many Thanks A

I recently got hold of a new Regent CD of the CC/HNB/Downes organ (recently rebuilt by H&H plus new 32' Bombarde and alterations to action and wind) in Paisley Abbey - not mentioned much here but the sound (and playing by George McPhee - organist since the 60s) is fabulous. I very nearly crashed the car at the end of Dieu Parmi Nous when listening en route to work. It is very interesting to compare the sound with Gloucester, St Albans etc. (Downes 'plus acoustic' as opposed to the RFH) in the light of their recent alterations and also with the London Oratory organ which I sometimes feel is underrated. The general 'fattening out' of the altered Downes instruments adds considerably to their appeal I think. A

This (to me at any rate) is an 'easy way out to achieve an easy way in' - in other words a sort of short term cop out to get people on seats and make them feel good. We do a great disservice (musically and intellectually whether it be in schools, church or generally) if we assume that the only way to engage is necessarily via that which is most easy on the brain. It is surely the responsibility of those in charge (musically or otherwise) to deal with the music (as with anything else) in such a way as to engage the enthusiasm and intellect of those at whom it is aimed. The trouble is that at times some in the driving seat do not see this and conseqently are decidedly condescending in both attitude and practice. The results are musically and intellectually low key and the effect such that in the first instance (rather in the manner of some 'power' drinks on sale) an initial 'rush' kicks in - and everything in the world is fantastic! The trouble is that this sort of approach is great fun and possibly hugely confidence building for some at least but it does nothing (as far as I can see at any rate) more than it says 'on the can' and ultimately the effects wear off leaving nothing much at all! The proof - in the right context - obscure 16th Century Italian polyphonic Christmas repertoire can move and interest a group of non church going 13 year olds as much as if not more than the sort of music that they are used to playing for the simple reason that it is not what they are used to so they can therefore come to it with no preconceptions and simply take it for what it is muscially, intellectually and if needs be from a religious angle. This needs hard work from both sides but in the end the results speak for themselves. Rant over - Happy Christmas all! A

Quite a lot! A

Hmmm! A

..and Control # transposes you up...! A

Thanks. A

Not at Stogursey but somewhere I used to play had a choir that to all intents and purposes created the same experience. A

I would like to get in touch with the French composer/organist Jean Dominique Pasquet - if anyone can help please PM Thanks A

Try here. A

Is it worth a visit? A .....from the other side of Somerset.

Paul Joslin (via BIOS) knows most of what there is to know about Gern A

...and since yesterday... Swinging Bach - Porter Heaps 'Just trying to pluck up courage to offer it to my lot after HC one week!! A