Peter Allison

I was there when it arrived, and helped Peter Collins, and his team bring it into the church

St Oswalds in Durham. It maybe classed as new (1988?), but looks a lot older

A "good looking" case/organ, is the Father Willis, that was moved from the hospital chapel at Winterton, near Durham, to the parish church of St. Brandon, at Brancepeth, also near Durham. Mr Richard Hird, who is well known in organists circles, up in the North East, was organist at Winterton, before it was closed. I did take my "reel to reel" tape recorder there, one night, but sadly have lost the sound files

this is a very interesting approach. I know my girl friend does not care much or organ music, and has only accompanied me on one, thus far, maybe if it also included a piece or 2 of "something else", then that would be a good thing, right? ? or something that she recognises, not Messiaen tho (sorry, but that does my brain in at times, so there is no chance for her, ha ha ha)

ALL my recordings (over 200) are done with the permission of the recitalist,( David Briggs, Nathan Laube, etc), and the church or cathedral putting on the recital, plus, many weeks or days preceding (by email), its just for my own personal pleasure, as its a hobby, . And if say they say no, then thats fine, I just enjoy the music, one time only :-)

I know what he felt like, I have been that man countless times, a person near me coughed very loudly in Liverpool cathedral, the needles on my recorder jumped, as if the Trompette Militaire had suddenly be drawn during a Bach Chorale ?

I would love to go, but sadly London is too far. My dad and James Lancelot paid a visit there, a few months ago, and had a good time, also Simon Lindley, was the Grand Organist, and is now Paul Bowen, I think, both have played for us at Durham Cathedral

on the same kind of note, my dad organised a recital by an "eminent city organist", in Durham Cathedral, a few years ago. OK, it was to raise money for a charity, ran by the Freemasons, of which the recitalist and my dad/me, are. take away the 250 masons, and it would have been a very mediocre turn out indeed

personally I just think its an inherent "British" thing. I have seen a few hundred people at continental recitals, and the same programme played by the same organist over here, has hardly made a dent on the seats used

I went to hear john Scott Whiteley and the organist of Sheffield cathedral. they were playing at Holy Trinity (Hull Minster) a few years ago.... there were a handful on both occasions

you are right, of course Martin, I suppose, I was just hoping really, as there seems to be no organ music played in recital, in the Harrogate/Knaresborough area, one has to go to leeds/york/skipton areas

I have known a certain large organ in our area for many years. A friend, now deceased, rebuilt it, and another friend, also now deceased, put a couple of electronic Pedal ranks in. Its is a 4 manual , complete with Schultz pipe work, and a natural Tuba. I am not wanting to say where it is, although some might guess which Parish church it is. Anyway, I was listening to one of my first ever recordings from 1980 something, and got all nostalgic, as one does, and decided to write to the esteemed DOM. here is the reply, its makes sense I suppose, but hiding a nice instrument away, seems a shame Dear Mr Allison Thank you for your enquiry. I’m afraid that at the moment we don’t do organ recitals, largely because they’ve been insufficiently well supported in the past to justify continuing them. Also we are a very busy church indeed, and fitting them in and providing practice opportunities has not proved easy. The organ can be heard at every choral service we do 1.00 and 6.30 on Sundays, and we are planning a performance of the St matthew Passion with soloists and professional orchestra on April 17 next year. Best wishes

not quite the 70's, and no flares in sight?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtrKdt7saCc

HOW MUCH?????, a lot of churches would die for that kind of money, in some places. What a waste

Ross Cobb (Organist and Director of Music, St Andrew's Cathedral, Sydney) to St John’s Cathedral to give the next recital in this year’s Twilight International Organ Series. Ross studied at the Guildhall School of Music, the Royal Academy of Music, and King's College London (where he was an assistant to the late David Trendell), and was the first Thalben-Ball Organ Scholar at St Michael's, Cornhill. He was later Director of Music at Christ Church Clifton in Bristol, and St Barnabas' Kensington in London. In 2005, Ross relocated to Sydney to take up the position of Organist and Director of Music at St Andrew's Cathedral.

Conrad was a clever man in 71, ish lol

there are few sound clips on FB, sounds nice, well done

I do not know, I just gleaned the info at organ recitals.com, and clicked on the organ tab..

nice to see someone post something newcastle has a "toaster" now. I made one of my first recordings, back when Time Hone was DOM and before a toaster was there

I visit this site every day, and as a "non player", I find some the posts very interesting, but sadly not seen any "new post since 19/10 17. The old adage comes to mind from when I was doing farmers markets, in Yorkshire..... " use it or loose it

"money" is the problem found in all organs, whether running costs, rebuilds. People today (20017) have different priorities, food, family, etc .Rich benefactors are needed, but they are either answering to others, or not interested , as Barry knows, eg Hull

will see what I can do, it may take a few days, as have quite a few personal thing to sort out first

I fully understand Charles, have replied. one of the stories I was told, years ago, was that of an american couple who said the west end organ wood support looked very very old, only to be told it was just 5 years old :-)

Restore????, it does not seem 5 mins, since I helped unload said organ, with Peter Collins,and had many a drink with my dad and the late organist, David Higgins, after dads organ lesson, (and my recordings on reel to reel of the organ)

just had a friend point this one out to me, its well played I think