AJJ

'Best for Christmas from here too - 'looking forward to seeing a few in Worcester next month. Continuing thanks also to John, Rachel etc. - where would we be without them! Alastair

Hmmmmm - you'll be lucky!! Alastair

Off topic but - I sang in a concert there once when Jennifer Bate played for the Duruflé Requiem - an amazing experience as was her Messaien at the same event. I learnt the organ there for a while - it's a fabulous instrument. Alastair

Try playing on the Aubertin strings at St Louis en L'Ile in Paris or St John's College Oxford - they are real ear openers. 'Like nothing from any UK tradition. I am not qualified to go too far into Bach organs but I'd love to do a Bach cantata using one of these instruments only for the accompaniment. The strings almost sound like real 'Baroque' strings and the flutes like real 'Baroque' flutes. As to Great Gambas etc. - they could be seen to be part of a tradition where 8's and 4's etc. are combined horizontally to achieve variety and contrast - less part of he 'neo' tradition of registering vertically ie. single stops/pitches 'piled up' on top of each other. (I remember some discussion on here a while ago about how each of these were used by different organists at Gloucester Cathedral. Some would go straight for an 8, 4, 2 etc. effect - thin etc. while others would start by coupling all the 8s - adding 4s etc. - much more lush an effect.) Also - the only stop that will accompany a Swell Oboe solo is often the Great string (or Dulciana) - certainly on my instrument the 8' Great flute is too big for this purpose so the (mildish) string is invaluable. Alastair

Oops - 'should have read the whole thread! Maybe I'll do one of my own. A

Has anyone experienced Sleigh Bells across the Snow by Malcolm Archer? - 'have just ordered a copy - he's usually a good bet. A

I've heard Marie Claire Alain do the same sort of thing. A

The plainsong for the Te Deum, Postman Pat and Smoke on the Water all start in a similar way........need I say more! A

Aaaaaagh!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 'Just spotted these! A

Yes - thanks from here too - it is good to see to work in progress - and glimpses of the main organ too! A

I've tried all the rest (strong stimulants, a heavy tracker action, electro convulsive therapy, Graham Kendrick Worship Songs, a 'certain' set of Chamades) - it's all that I can find to get me through till Christmas!!! A

I quite like this! Alastair

Not much help but he used to advertise (maybe still does?) in Organists' review. Alastair Later......Try this.

I would be interested to see the full spec. A

Is anyone else here going on the Organ Club trip to Paris? - I will be there for the first half only - 'good to meet up with any others from here. Alastair

Thanks! A

Coincidentally I was listening to the David M Patrick Durufle CD from there earlier - one has to check the correct ear phone alignment - then enjoy ranks popping up from all over the place. You don't get the upper and lower level effects of course but the left and right are pretty startling - verging even on the random. Great fun though! AJJ

'Look forward to hearing what you think. A

So what do people think then - I was going to get this - should it be the Tharp CD instead? AJJ

Many thanks - I'll dig it out. A

This is all good to hear - especially with things the way they are financially. AJJ

Off topic 'organ wise' but I do not have access to a copy so please could anyone tell me the melody used by Charles Wood in his anthem O Thou Sweetest Source of Gladness. Thanks AJJ

Possibly yes - organ types need to have other interests I feel! AJJ

Now now now! AJJ 'Played it once just after the 1970s work - after a late Friday rehearsal with a visiting choir - 'pulled out the Full Organ stop and launched into the JSB 5 Part Fantasia in C minor - oh the vulgarities of youth!! It sounded good though. AJJ

This is interesting - the NPOR here might help. By all accounts the organ that reached Monkton Combe had gone through a few manifestations before being finally mixed with their existing Bishop organ - later more mixing resulted in this!! Although it is just up the road I have not heard it - I don't know how much Willis sound is left. AJJ