Martin Cooke

I think it was on a post here that I heard about this excellent new volume which I have subsequently purchased (in fact, I bought two by accident), and I wonder whether anyone else has tried it. Some of it isn't all that easy, I must say, but there is plenty of it and with one possible exception (I'll keep its identity to myself for now) it is all good quality and worth having a go at. I know there's been an awful lot of comment about Tubas and that for some members the word is all but unmentionable. I was brought up on the St Paul's Tubas and think you'd have to go a long way to knock the chancel tuba ands tuba clarion there. Still, the York one really is a bit of a bruiser isn't it? Dare I even say that I don't like it... at all? It never occured to me in the good old days of the KIng of Instruments LP with FJ playing the Cocker that it was such a whopper, but I suppose I was just listening on our little Bush gramophone and it didn't overwhelm. However, overwhelm it certainly does in JS-W's recording which comes free with this album. Anyway, has anyone else tried the music? Martin

I see from the St Paul's website's account of the installation of the new dean that Huw Williamsd is styled Assistant Director of Music and Organist and Tom Wimpenny, as Assistant Sub-Organist. (Sorry I can't do the link.)

It would be good to list a few other gems that might be in danger of falling out of the repertoire. No accounting for taste, of course, but does anyone play anything by Harvey Grace? His Resurgam used to be one of John Birch's big pieces at one time. Shame about the title, but there a lovely little piece called In-Voluntary in one of two volumes of six pieces. Hurford - Dialogues? Gordon Jacob - Paean? Has anyone tried any of June Nixon's pieces, published by Mayhew? All well-crafted. If you like lush, there's the Sydney Campbell "Lento" (I think) in the Canterbury Organ Album, and what about Paul Edward's piece piece based on Contemplation? Sorry , these are a bit random!

What's happened to Phoenix? Their website hasn't been updated since February. Are they still going strong?

Mmmm. Is it just me, or am I correct in thinking that there is no mention of the organ in the special Times supplement published today? Admittedly, I've only had a quick thumb through, but as I turned each pager, I was hoping the next would reveal a picture of the famous facade, or a story of the ground-breaking new organ that it was - (by all accounts.) Am I right? Is there really no mention? Shouldn't righteous indignation be expressed at the highest levels? (!) Martin

How do you get hold of a copy of this?

I hope you don't mind a "new topic" for this subject - it seems more specific than my previous one on Electronics. I played a Hauptwerk set-up the other day for the first time. Wow! The sound was quite amazing. It was set up in an old console and was only a start - you had to operate the stops using the mouse and all that but it was sufficient to make me want to know more. The thing is, I can't really work out how you take it further. The Crumhorn website doesn't seem to offer a console that you and I would recognise as such. Hoffrichter offer consoles that look more akin to normal but I can't see how they work with a computer and all of that, and the blog attached to it all suggests that they take an age to appear once they're ordered. Masses of other info is on the www but it's in German and whilt I know the occasional word or two of "Chorale Prelude German" that's my limit! Does anyone have an ABC guide on this - a sort of Dummies guide to how to get yourself a decent Hauptwerk set-up? I want something that can be played as much like a normal instrument as possible but with the Hauptwerk benefits. Where can you go to see and hear more? Happy to enter into private messages if needed but open forum may be of interest to others. Martin.

I realise that this is sensitive, but what's the current ranking of electronics do people think? Are Viscount and similar multi-produced ones to be avoided altogether? I am thinking that for home use, (three manual) a Wyvern or Phoenix would be good but what about Makin/Johannus? Does anyone have recent experience of some of these? I'm particularly interested in Phoenix - they seem to represent good value for money. Not sure if I've got the hang of producing a link to this huge 5-manual Wyvern but it's worth a look. If the link doesn't function, go to Anthony Bogdan in google. Martin.

Well, it hurts me to say this, because I struggle terribly to find any fault with John Scott, and, in any case, I am in no position to criticise, but I do find the psalter extraordinarily complicated and not always necessarily so. That said, I'm sitting here listening to a newly acquired second hand copy of CD 9, I think it is, (sorry - distraction there as frogs have been brought forth - all manner of flies - but AHHHH - a quarter of the chant was missing! - Nice bit of 32ft Contra Posaune though in Psalm 105 v 33!)

Yes, FWAAHH, indeed! Also, what about those amazing arrangements of "Laus Deo" in that same RSCM book, by CH Lloyd and also watch out for Nun Danket by Dykes Bower.

This is fascinating. I just wonder if someone like John Birch might know the answer to some of this. He knew Howells. I know John a bit and although he's not always in the country I could forward him this post and see if he knows anything about it. Martin.

Isn't it time we heard some news of a new appointment at St Paul's? Does anyone have any idea what is happening and when an announcement might appear, by any chance? Martin.

Greetings Justadad and Lawrence. Glad to hear all went well at St. Paul's. In the absence of other informantion is there any chance that either of you might reveal what the state of play is with the rebuilding of the organ? There doesn't seem to be any sort of announcement anywhere and it would be good. If by any chance Mr Mander hinself spots this posting, could you possibly publish a full briefing in the way that one was available in 1972? Are there to be any tonal changes? Martin

The old organ loft at St Paul's cathedral was full of interest because of all the different ways of spying on what was happening around the building. The was one large and one very small peep hole for looking down to the west end and two similar ones on the opposite side for keeping an eye on the altar and the collection's arrival. Then the dummy pipes in the chair case could also be folded right back immediately behind the organist to see the choir. Christopher Dearnel;y always had one of these wide open when he was accompanying to see the beat from the senior vicar's choral - usually Maurice Bevan. On either side of these you could open panels behind the taller chair case pipes and then see out between the pipes themselves. Dykes-Bower used to keep one of these open just a crack to see the choir in. Harry Gabb used to occasionally open one of the larger central doors and one would see him sitting at the console in his braces! Martin.

Lucky boy! The Bach and the Walton are good choices but will eat up the 20 minutes almost entirely. He can have fun choosing his trumpets in the Walton - if he's entirely unfamiliar with the St Paul's organ it will be quite taxing. Personally, though I love the Dorian, I think he could make a stronger impact with, say the Piece d'Orgue or the Allebreve, and then go for some good, honest stock like the Ireland Alla Marcia, Wesley Choral Song, maybe the Bridge Adagio in E - (use the Solo instead of the Swell if you can't have that) and then the Walton - the Dome tubas and Trompette Militaire will aerate the crowds very nicely - you might find access to the Royal Trumpets denied him. Anyway, I'm sure he'll do the school proud. Am I correct in thinking you were the correspondent after a copy of Langlais' Fete? If so, your son is welcome to my copy - it's always been beyond me and I'll never learn it now. Let me have your details somehow (PM, email??) and I'll try to find it! All the best, Martin.

Does anyone know if the new Matthew Copley organ with the 32ft pipework in the case has ever been installed in St Mary's Edinburgh ? According to the Matthew Copley website it says that it was due for completion last Easter but there has been no further news.

Have a look at some short pieces by June Nixon, published by Mayhew. Sorry - mind blank - oh yes - there's one in a book called Couple the Tuba and the other might be in a volume called Fiesta - need to check. What about Percy Fletcher's Fesitval Toccata - very easy but grand sounding on a large instrument. Gordon Jacon Festival Flourish is another arresting but short piece. I don't think anyone has mentioned Bach or Buxtehude - most of the Bach Preludes and Fugues are pretty exciting - try to C major in 9/8 or the G major with the arpeggio start - the huge three part Buxtehude G minor piece is wonderful along with many of the preludes and fugues. The Franck A minor Chorale is a good piece - long, but fiery in places with a huge and very satisfying ending.

My favourites would include the Bridge Adagio in E major, the first 5 of the 6 Howells Psalm-Preludes, some Whitlock, though these aren't of great length - try Folk Tune, Dolcezza, Fidelis all in an OUP album Complete Shorter Organ Works by Whitlock. There's a lovely piece by Noel Rawsthorne based on the Londonderry Air published by Mayhew, some of Malcolm Archer's slow pieces are very pleasing on the ear (maybe a bit Radio 2!). Lots and lots of JSB chorale preludes fit the bill. Thalben-Ball Tune in E is really rather lovely. Try some Rheinberger Sonata movements - Sonata 11 comes to mind - Mendelssohn 1st Sonata, 2nd movt is beautifully crafted. Parry Chorale Preludes: try Rockingham and Melcombe. Hope that's enough to get started with!

I have no connections with this church or with anyone mentioned. Am I the only person on this forum who disagrees with the style andf content of this posting?

Very interested to hear about your research as I was a chorister at St Paul's under Dykes Bower and Harry Gabb and frequently watched and heard them play. I know of no recordings at all by Gabb other than a brief improvised introduction on a christmas carols recording for "The First Nowell" and an extemporised closure for "Hark! The herald." Last year, I think it was, two CDs were issed that have recordings of DB - on one he plays a STanley voluntary (with pedals) and the Parry Old 104th, and the other - a live recording from the 57 International Organists' event of the Bach G major P&F in which there is a cypher! I haven't the details to hand but try a google search on Dykes Bower Monkman, for it was Mr Monkman who brought these pieces to the format of CD. I have the full details but not here at home with me. Do contact me by email if you think I can help in any way. Meanwhile, would lvery much like to hear more about what you're doing re these two fine people! (hm@clayesmore.com).

I read a posting here somewhere about creating 32 ft effects from harmonics. It said hold a chord of C major in RH and pedals and then play half a dozen harmonics on a flute in the left hand. Can anyone remind me of where to find the instructions for this? Thanks Martin.

I attended the Organ Forum at St Paul's back in March. I think this was part of a compulsory charity-friendly "consultation process." It was quite fun really but the audience had a very wide appreciation/understanding of organs. Questions put to the panel (JPM, Malcolm Archer, the consultant whose well-known name escapes me a moment, Canon Lucy Winkett) were pretty plodding - "how many pipes are there in the organ?" when one of the panel had only just said how many there were, etc! The new console seems to be the only innovation - certainly nothing new like last time in terms of divisions and new stops. I would have expected the work to have begun by now but I don't recall a start date being mentioned. I have to say that the organ was sounding wonderful - Howells' Coll Reg at evensong. What a pity though that cathedrals have made a virtue of having almost no organ music at the start of a service these days - just that rush of cassock up the stairs at the last second and whoops, there we are! Christopher Dearnley had a secret device fitted under the console that allowed him to have the west end reeds playing together at 8ft pitch. Is this something that is standard practice elsewhere and has anyone ever come across it elsewhere? Indeed, has anyone tried the effect at St Paul's? I wonder if the current organists ever use it. Martin

Eek! Pipes and Action is £29+ so can I take up your offer of a few Yates details? I am especially interested in the Cornish stuff - how he came to be involved at Truro working with Dykes-Bower on the organ rebuild committee and then anything about Nicholsons and Newquay.

There has been some discussion of the organ in Kilkhampton PC under another topic. Can anyone tell us a little about Roger Yates? I know that he was involved in the early 60s work at Truro Cathedral and he also did some of the voicing on the St Michael's Newquay early 60s Nicholson which was destroyed by fire in the ten or so years ago. Did he work for any particular firm or was he an independent of some sort? Martin.

I once played a wonderful instrument at Kilkhampton PC in North Cornwall. I must look up the details but I have a feeling it was voiced by Roger Yates (who knows that name?). Now, I haven't played it or seen it for 35 years or so, but hasn't that got an old console still in situ in the case? Another member referred to the old St Paul's console - at one time, the north case console was on display in the minor canons' aisle at the bottom of the entrance to the old organ loft. I did ask about this when I was last at St Paul's and the verger I spoke with said that he'd been there for 15 years or so but had never seen it! Martin.