AJJ

I have a superb recording of the whole set played by Thomas Murray on a newish large instrument in the USA in a church with a vast acoustic. The pieces really shine! AJJ

I did some at University - some time ago now but the tutor concerned had problems as she could not quite work out posture etc. as far as an organist was concerned. 'Something to do with the varying positions when pedalling. AJJ

There was an article a year or so ago in a BIOS Journal (which I think was by Relf Clark) which had some details - I am sure that there has been another but can't remember where it was. AJJ

I agree! AJJ

A thought provoking question Pierre! - something that Dr David Wylde could shed more light on perhaps - he is on here sometimes. AJJ

That about sums it up. AJJ

Willis III used them as a Swell 16' reed - it looks as if new Willis organs are getting them too. I used to play on one as a student here - 'fairly mellow toned Fagotto effect. AJJ

I take your point here - and you have undoubtedly have come across more intruments 'in the flesh' than I am able to talk about from a theoretical POV. AJJ

Further details can be found on the MPOS website which also shows its previous incarnations in Gospel Oak, St Pancras and Ware. We have had some considerable adjustments made to the voicing of both electronic and pipe elements, but it has been a godsend to us in a difficult period when the old Bradford instrument collapsed and we were left without instrument for a while. Adrian Lucas Worcester Cathedral This is an interesting line up of organ talent. AJJ

Yet situations also arise where a scheme is acceptable for the resident team (who know their liturgical and repertoire needs) and adviser but pressure is put on by other authorities who have opposing views. A marvellous, large instrument near here was the subject of much discussion some ten years ago - the church and advisor (a noted recitalist and former liturgical practitioner) were as one but other forces were not such a help. The organ did arrive in the form that the resident team wanted and has been a huge success. The dangers seem to come from 'resident teams' with odd ideas (se a recent thread on a digital 'up north'), recitalist/advisors with no idea of liturgical needs and also the seeming divergence in diocesan advice. In one place an instrument has been recently rebuilt with 3/4 of it digital and the remainder pipe in a most over the top and rather dodgy looking scheme yet in another a rather non descript Victorian 1 manual has to be left as it is complete with odd pedal compass, crippling lever swell and entombed position. I don't know about Dixon but I have a feeling that were Clutton still around today he would probably be taking his place in the whole perspective but maybe with less popularity what with those around (Nicholas Thistlethwaite, John Rowntree, Ian Bell, Paul Hale, William McVicker etc.) with a generally more informed approach to things. AJJ

Rogers do build 'combination' systems - there was something similar set up at St Pancras PC in London a few years ago for the festival of modern church music. AJJ

I would like to hear Nicolas Kynaston repeat some of his recordings from earlier now the organ is on a good state. It seems to me that his choices of repertoire were better than some over the last year or so - and I am afraid I include some aspects of the recent recordings here. AJJ

This is interesting - Dixon has had quite a lot of coverage but not Clutton. I would also be interested in a general evaluation of his work. Wells Cathedral is my nearest example of somewhere that he 'tinkered' and I am afraid that is not an organ I am very fond of. I feel that it doesn't seem to be able to decide what it is about tonally. AJJ

His Dupré CD from St Pauls is one of my most listened to of all - as good as some of the perfomances from St Ouen, Toulouse etc. AJJ

Help - for one moment I thought he was playing this in Southampton!! (Good job I checked where the original thread had gone - and Henry Fairs' website). AJJ

Thanks. AJJ

I never use robes and can't remember the last time I wore a hood & gown. Most of the instruments I play have well hidden consoles so I am afraid 'casual' is the order of the day usually. This whole robes thing is quite interesting though - when I was young the DOM and organist both wore various hoods etc. with cassock and surplice for every service as did the priests and any choir men who had degrees etc. Some places do this still - whereas a friend of mine (MA, ARCO etc.) is only allowed to wear academic garb on high days and holidays. Another has similar conventions but then only if his qualification is 'musically' related - he has a BSc in Astro Physics and is consequently not encouraged to wear his hood . Is this or the previous situation usual? AJJ PS I would be interested to see the Abertillery spec. I seem to remember it was on here once - 'couldn't find it on the church website though.

And John Scott. AJJ

Fascinating - thanks! AJJ

The very same. AJJ

Off topic but I seem also to remember that an incumbent there at round about this time went on to hold a quite important position in the C 0f E after first being our local diocesan bishop down here! AJJ

My 7 & 8 year olds would go for this - especially the take away pipes bit and the page turning. (They do have a digital in their front room already so I suppose they are rather spoilt in that department). AJJ

It may be - but there have been examples of churches wishing to install something to be scuppered in their plans (or at least not assisted) by diocesan (or higher) authorities. Sometimes this is just as well judging from some hair brained schemes drawn up by the 'resident team' with money to spend - often on a digital - but at other times perhaps not so. I know of an example of where a small digital was not allowed even though it seemed to be the best option from the church point of view. The diocese insisted on the strict restoraltion of a one manual pipe job of no great artistic merit. In another example a major church establishment was pushed quite hard by 'those at the top' to not do things with their pipe organ that were felt 'unsuitable'. In this case the church 'won' and now have a superb instrument of great integrity. AJJ

And should we want to - could we all - in theory - have one? Meaning rather - can a church just install something like this with no 'checks' or 'faculties' from diocesan authorities etc? (Or maybe there were these in place!!) AJJ

Many of the more provincial French cathedrals (and the organs in them) also seem decidedly more down at heal than most of those in the UK. AJJ