Martin Cooke
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Posts posted by Martin Cooke
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Thank you. I've never come across it, nor the composer, and will look it up!
Thanks. That was one of my ideas too! I've looked for my copy, but can't find it. I think now that I lent it to a certain former pupil of mine which, unfortunately, means that it's the other side of the planet now.....
Thanks. I've borrowed that book from a friend of mine, and played through all the pieces to see what might be suitable. Hornpipe Humoresque is pretty much a cert!
Unfortunately, I wasn't terribly taken with "Up she rises" by Bonighton, but it does fit the theme. I thought that "Dance with the saints" was probably the best of the rest after the Rawsthorne. The Pasticcio by Nixon was ok, and suitable if not terribly inspiring, I thought. Much of the music seemed rather contrived, and definitely sub-Rawsthorne's "Hornpipe Humoresque", but maybe I'm missing something.
Thanks for all the suggestions so far.
Any more for any more?
Have you ever come across the name "A.L. Peace"? He was organist of St George's Hall, Liverpool at the turn of the century. I only know his first Sonata (D mnor) but the finale (in the tonic major) is really quite a good romp if taken at a good speed. It's highly Victorian, of course, but obscenely so! If it sounds a possibility, let me know and I'll send you a copy.
Martin.
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A related question: does anyone play the Harcey Grace "free" arrangement of the Purcell Trumpet Tune which incorporates a simulated peal of bells as a subsiduary subject? It's great fun, and a crowd-pleaser.
Peter
I have a copy - in place of one of the usual airs, there is a cunning arrangement of the overture to the Bell Anthem. I have never heard it performed and have always preferred the other Harvey Grace arrangement that Noel Rasthorne used on his Great Cathedral Organs recording with the G major air (or whatever it's called) between the D major Trumpet Tune and the Cebell.
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Why don't you just edit your first post to reflect any stuff people post in this thread? We therefore would know where to go to see the canonical list and we can browse the rest of the thread to see the way that list came about.
OK - I'm trying that!
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I see from the inside front cover of the Organists' Review that's just arrived on my desk, that Nicholson's are about to start work on a brand new organ for Llandaff Cathedral which should be ready for Easter 2010. The ad also says that none of the present organ will be re-used, making this the largest wholly new organ to be built for a British cathedral in 40 years. Should be very interesting - alas that it's in the South of Cymru and I'm in the North!
OK, so here's the first piece of interesting news. Is there a way of creating a speadsheet of some sort on this site where we could start a list from, say 1-100 with Llandaff now at no1 with space for web addresses next to it?
1 Llandaff Cathedral (Nicholson) Wales in London news item
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I feel rather lost without the wonderful photo commentary that so many of us have enjoyed this last year or so from Adrian Lucas at Worcester. Is there any chance that we might be able to create a list here with accompanying links to new organs that are in various states of commission? Harrison and Harrison are very good at listing their new work whether it be on new instruments or refurbishments, but if from our combined knowledge we could get a list together that covers as much interesting organ building work as possible that would be great, wouldn't it? Despite the websites, I have no idea what Tickells, Nicholsons or Manders are doing just now and it seems a pity. Can we help ourselves a bit more? If we all simply replied with lists of places where we know organ work is going on (in the UK? the world?) others could chip in with details and references of which they are aware.
Martin.
Start of list:
1. Llandaff Cathedral (Nicholson) News item here
2. Cirencester Parish Church (H&H) H&H news item here
3. St Edmundsbury Cathedral (H&H) H&H news item here
4. St Albans Abbey (H&H) New specification
5. Westminster Abbey (H&H) New specification with new Bombarde & Pedal Violone 16'
6. St Paul's Cathedral, London (Mander Organs) On-going works with new nave console, new pipework for dome tubas and chorus reeds, and refurbishd choir console See new 2008 specification here
7. All SS, Carshalton (Henry Willis) Description and photos of proposed work
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The closest I ever got to being successful with something like this was when I telephoned the Lord Lieutenant of the county. She knew the organist in question and was more than happy to lend my proposal her full support but sadly the gentleman died before things got underway. I am sure that if someone could approach the Lord Lieutenant personally it would be a help. Does anyone know Richard Shepard? He would almost certainly the LL and might be willing. Otherwise I suggest that someone gets the form and then gets the most senior person they can to sponsor the nomination - David Willcocks? Philip Ledger? I have posted before about the woeful lack of recognition that organists receive these days. Will Philip Moore get something? AS far as I am aware he hasn't even been given a doctorate by any of the northern universities or by Lambeth which seems to me, at best, clumsy, in view of his long-standing appointment at York Minster.
Martin
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but then the 'old' console is in (our out) for repair/restauration, because as far as I could see, the loft where it used to be was empty.
If the loft on the south side of the choir appeared empty, then the 1972 console has gone away to be refurbished. I am certain that there never was any question of the floor console replacing the one on the south side of the choir except whilst the extant console was being re-done. This was all explained somewhere, I think - don't remember where.
Martin.
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Would there be any chance, Mr Mander, of a brief update on what's happening at St Paul's and the timeframe for the completion of the current project, please? Out here in the sticks we don't get to see these things for ouselves in the flesh, as it were, and it would be great to hear if, for example, the new console is in, and whether the old one has gone off for refurbishment and what else remians to be done. I have so enjoyed the wonderful commentary and photo updates we've had from Worcester, but I'm more interested in St Paul's! Is there going to be some sort of publication about it other than what might in the programmes at the opening recitals?
Martin.
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I remember hearing something about Osborn Peasgood, Sub-Organist at Westminster Abbey who played Purcell's Trumpet Tune in D at Princess Margaret's Wedding. He began as custom dictates in D major but not with top A on the solo stop, but a G! Aaaaaaaaaaargh! Folk will know that Novello published a collection of Purcell arrangements in which the G is given as a grace note. Not a very effective cover-up!
In the late sixties, Bishop Robert Stopford's daughter was married in St Paul's. Christopher Dearnley was playing and for the entrance of the bride or as one of the pre-service voluntaries, he played the Jeremiah Clarke trumpet tune. When it came to the second section that begins with the solo stop on F sharp and then a trill on G sharp and A, he played a G natural instead of the G sharp- yikes! I remember the ripple now that shot round the choir stalls. He did the only thing he could and played the G natural again in the repeat. Years later, when he played for Princess Diana and Basil Ramsay published some of Dearnley's arrangements of pre-service pieces, he included the Clarke, but the G sharp was safely in place. Incidentally, the other most memorable aspect of this wedding was that the choristers were invited to the reception where we had the pleasure of meeting Noel Mander.
Martin
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Hi,
I am looking to hire a car and check out some churches in Cornwall in a month or two's time. However a couple of questions regarding Mawgan, near Helston:
1. I ran 'Mawgan' past the NPOR's database and got two entries for 'St. Mawgan' but nothing for just 'Mawgan'. Does anyone here know who build the organ at Mawgan, near Helston, so that I can know what make of organ I can expect to find?
2. Sticking with the same 'Mawgan', has anyone heard of the organ in the private chapel at Trelowarren? Apparently dates 1830 and possibly by Flight & Robson. Three manuals and pedals but no independant stops on the pedals. Apparently in a very bad state. Does anyone know if moves have been made to get this instrument done up? Sounds like it might be worth looking into. I half wouldn't mind a look at both chapel and organ and would wonder who to contact. [NPOR D00795]
Cheers.
Dave
I am pretty sure that the "Mawgan" you refer to is really St Mawgan in Meneage as opposed to St Mawgan in Pydar which is up near St Columb Major and Newquay. I should give Lance Foy a call - he's a friendly fellow and he will almost certainly know the answer to your questions. I'll PM you his phone number.
Martin.
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Frustratingly, I cannot get hold of a copy of Volume 1 of this set of CDs and have all the others, either physically or through iTunes. I wonder if, by any chance, any member of the group has a copy of the CD that they would be willing to part with - for a suitable sum, obviously! I just bought volume 8 for about £8 I think it was and would be quite happy to buy volume 1 for a similar amount if that seemed reasonable. Perhaps PM me if you can help.
Many thanks
Martin.
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Finally, did anyone else think Allan Wicks and La Nativité at St Pauls was wonderful, or only me? Luscious sounds, and the Dome reeds in Dieu parmi nous – apocalyptic.
SM
Gosh - do you mean Alan Wicks did a recording at St Paul's? What else was on it?
Martin
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It was The Kings of Instruments for me - for those who don't know this LP, it was a sampler taken from a range of organ recordings by EMI. Side 2 was the corker - Karg-Elert from Rawsthorne at Liverpool, Purcell Old 100th from Thalben-Ball at the Temple, Boellmann Toccata from Blenheim with Danby, the Cocker from FJ at YM and then a great perfrmance of the BWV 565 from Allan Wicks at Canterbury.
Another early purchase was the Herrick St Paul's recording from 1969 - Wills Fanfare, Mathias Processional (on the Trimpette Militaire), Bridge Adagio, Reger Te Deum, Liszt Adagio in D flat, Litanies and Choral Dorien with Transports de joie and Priere du Christ to finish off.
Martin
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Anyone come across this? St Peter's, Plmouth
Martin
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In my view, you should spare youself a visit to Bodmin - not a particularly interesting organ. This little one is worth looking at:
St Cubert. It used to be in Lanhydrock House and I played it there about 40 years ago - beautiful swqeet toned Henry Willis. The others to see are at Kilkhampton and St Mary's Launceston. I gather that the organ in Egloshayle church is a good one too and I have always believed it was a Willis, but I'm pretty sure I checked and it isn't! St Columb Major has a fine Bryceson. Why don't you try a few area searches using the NPOR website? You will soon be able to pick out the historical instruments.
Martin
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Some advice please. A young organist has asked me for some advice on which edition to go for with Widor symphonies. My own organ music is half a mile away at the moment and I can't quite thing what I've got. All editions look the same (not including the OUP version of the Symph 5 Toccata in the Wedding Music album) . He has seen two volumes by Dover which are very reasonably priced. Are these any good for performance? They are large enough to use and, as I say, look just like photo-ed versions of whatever edition it is that I use. What should he do?
Martin.
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The Salisbury one (in my hand) has:
Franck - Choral No 1 in E
Saint-Saens - Fantaisie in Db
Nielsen - Commotio
As most of the cover is taken up by the organ spec, the sleeve note only talks about Commotio.
Paul
Thanks, Paul for your swift response. Commotio was a favourite of CHD's. He played it in his (only?) Royal Festival Hall recital in about 68/69 and it was also in the programme for the recital he gave at St Paul's a month or two before he died. Not a favourite piece of mine, I have to confess.
Martin.
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If anyone is interested in starting or adding to a collection,Coventry, Canterbury and York are all for sale on ebay now. Canerbury has T&F in D minor, Mendelssohn Sonata 1 + Williamson Sitwell Epitaphs and Ridout, Seven Last Words played by Alan Wicks - the T&F was reissued by EMI a long time ago with the Sumsion recording of the Elgar that someone else has referred to. York has Nares Intro & Fuge, Wesley Air and Gavotte, Bossi Scherzo, Cocker Tuba Tune, Jackson Diversion on the Mixtures and the Willan IP&F. Can't see what was on the Coventry disc.
Martin.
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St Paul's Cath, London - Dearnley (the only person to play on two)
Does anyone happen to know what Christopher Dearnley played on the SALISBURY recording other than the Saint-Saens Rhapsodie in D flat which has been reissued by Amphion?
Martin.
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After a Sung Vespers in my parish church last evening (Lancing College cond. Neil Cox - excellent) I got to discussing with a collegue the series of LPs put out by EMI in the 60s/70s, and we were trying to remember who played what. We came up with the following -
Caterbury Cathedral - Allan Wicks
Westminster Cathedral - Nicholas Kynaston
Blenheim Palace - Nicholas Danby
Westminster Abbey - Simon Preston (?)
Chester Cathedral - Roger Fisher
Can anyone fill in any gaps?
Peter
Well... there was...
Durham - Conrad Eden
Exeter - Lionel Dakers
St Paul's - Christopher Dearnley
Liverpool - Noel Rawsthorne
Gloucester - Herbert Sumsion
Llandaff - Robert Joyce ?
York - Francis Jackson
Temple - George Thalben Ball ?
Norwich - Heathcote Statham ?
Canterbury - Alan Wicks
Hereford - Melville Cook
Worcester - Christopher Robinson
Lincoln - Philip Marshall
Coventry - David Lepine
St Giles' Edinburgh - Herrick Bunney
Westminster Abbey - Douglas Guest - (not Simon Preston)
Mmm - now I'm thinking about it, the ones with question marks may not have been in that series - I'm trying to remember who was on The King of Instruments but they may not all have come from that series - actually, perhaps none of them did.
You could always have a look for the Amphion-recordings website site - Martin Monckman has reissued selections from this series - I believe there may be four different selections now. It would be quite interesting to try to list what was on each of the original LPs!
Martin
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Ones for gin the other for tonic, the glasses are concealed behind the music desk. I do apologise for this post in advance, but we seem to getting overwhelmed by buttons and pistons. I played a toaster the other day and was highly amused by the fact that the piston osed remained lighted..... whats the point?
Yes, I know... it's absurd, isn't it... but each to his own, you know! Trouble is, I was fascinated by this organ as a small boy and have never quite forgotten the details!
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Oooh Look! I've just noticed here are two little buttons, too, on the left and right key checks of the great manual. What are those then?
Martin
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See this. I'm pretty sure there are some other changes to couplers and transfers - eg Swell Reeds on Solo, Swell Reeds on Pedal, the dividing up of the West srection into reeds and chorus transferrable separately to the Solo and the Great, Great on/to Choir (??) and the Vth combinations coupled to the Great combinations. I don't recall seeing these before but I may be wrong.
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I have just looked at the photographs and there is just one blank stop head, yet the newsletter shows Tubas at 16 and 8 have been or are being added in 2008. Please Mr Mander can you tell us please?
There is, indeed, a blank stop knob, but the new tubas (as reported on the St Paul's website) - Double Tuba 16, Tuba 8 and Clarion 4, appear just to be replacing the (?1898?) pipework in the dome by the same names - they aren't extras. I don't think we're any the wiser about the spare stop knob despite it being aired on this board previously. It's clearly one of the organ world's best kept secrets!
Martin.
St Pauls Cathedral
in General discussion
Posted
Just to make a small correction to this post - the original dome diapason chorus was created from second hand pipework and this was situated in the south east quarter dome away from the dome pedal and dome tubas. A new chorus was provided in 1977 by Mander and positioned with all the other dome pipework in the north east quarter gallery. This new dome diapason chorus was supplemented in 1977 with the Contra Posaune and Trumpet from the old Solo organ and these have now been replaced with new pipework along with the dome section Double Tuba, Tuba and Clarion. I am not sure if it is true that the Trompette Militaire was produced by Wurlitzer bt it certainly came from the USA.
Martin.