Peter Allison
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Posts posted by Peter Allison
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St Oswalds in Durham. It maybe classed as new (1988?), but looks a lot older
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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
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11 minutes ago, Zimbelstern said:
Another approach to getting more people to listen to organ music is to include just one or two pieces in a concert devoted to choral music or music played on other instruments where these are held in a church. There are people who would not consider going to a recital only of organ music, but are quite happy to listen to one or two pieces as part of a wider programme. It is a great shame that the BBC don’t take this approach when planning the Proms at the Albert Hall. They also miss a great opportunity by not including organ music during the intervals, rather as organists used to play during the intermissions at the cinema. I’m sure there are many talented organ students who would jump at the chance of playing to a couple of thousand people, even if they weren’t always paying full attention. And,of course, there was an organ in Vauxhall Gardens. Judging by many accounts of 18th century audiences, I somehow doubt whether the organ was heard in total silence. Organs and organ music need a new approach to listening if they are to attract a wider audience used not used to 20th century concert etiquette. What’s wrong with wandering around, eating and drinking and having a chat whilst listening to organ music? I see Bath Abbey is throwing out its pews. Perhaps they could use the vast open space for a new kind of organ music experience.
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)
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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 :-)
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2 hours ago, John Robinson said:
I recollect that there was a gentleman in an elevated position to the side of us (although I don't remember Haarlem having balconies at the side) recording the recital on a tape recorder... with a face like thunder!
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 ?
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4 hours ago, wolsey said:
On which topic, here are details of what promises to be a fine recital in under a fortnight.
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
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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
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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
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1 hour ago, John Robinson said:
I'm afraid that this does not surprise me in the least.
Some years ago I attended a recital at Cologne Cathedral and more recently at Passau Cathedral. In each case the building was packed, in fact in the case of Cologne people were sitting on camp chairs in the aisles. We're talking of thousands of organ music fans.
In Britain you'd be very lucky to get a hundred, far less in some places.
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
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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
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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
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not quite the 70's, and no flares in sight?https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TtrKdt7saCc
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5 hours ago, P DeVile said:
Quick update. In this month's Orford Church magazine it says the following:
Meanwhile, at its Ipswich meeting on Friday 9th February, the Diocesan Advisory Committee turned down our application for a faculty to install the organ in St Bartholomew's Church as being simply too big, despite having requested two mock-ups (each costing several thousand pounds) to determine best position, either in the northwest corner or in front of the tower. It is now open to the PCC to appeal to the Diocesan Chancellor who is a London barrister.
The Collins organ looks fine where it is and will be of huge benefit.
Madness!
Peter
HOW MUCH?????, a lot of churches would die for that kind of money, in some places. What a waste
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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.
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On 14/11/2017 at 23:20, Charles Wooler said:
The 4/5 at Durham is actually VERY cunning and provides an alternative Cornet on the positive to that provided by the Flute a Cheminee 8, Flute Ouverte 4, Doublette 2 and Sesquialtera. Selecting the Prestant 4, Doublette 2, Larigot 1 1/3, Octivin 1 and Octave Tierce 4/5 and then drawing Positive on Solo transfers the division onto the Solo where the Solo Sub Octave and Unison Off take it down to 8 foot pitch. Drawing Solo to Choir puts it back down on the choir too...... Ingenious if you ask me.
Conrad was a clever man in 71, ish lol
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there are few sound clips on FB, sounds nice, well done
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I do not know, I just gleaned the info at organ recitals.com, and clicked on the organ tab..
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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
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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
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"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
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will see what I can do, it may take a few days, as have quite a few personal thing to sort out first
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14 minutes ago, Charles Wooler said:
It's not sensible to say too much in a public forum such as this, other than to say that there have been problems with winding and the action for many years now and the time has come to sort them out once and for all, without any change in the organ's tonal character. It will however return this wonderful organ to its rightful place as one of the North East's most exciting mechanical actioned organs. It is far more versatile than people credit it too.
I have PMd you about the reel to reels!
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 :-)
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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)
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just had a friend point this one out to me, its well played I think
List of beautiful English Organs
in The Organ
Posted
I was there when it arrived, and helped Peter Collins, and his team bring it into the church