Peter Allison

I had a reply from "churchmouse", on a post I made on FB, the other day, about traveling up to Hexham Abbey.... and she made the very valid comment about the recitalist, taking a strong position about his/hers audience . And of course Advertising is also a massive role to take to. The organ fest in Hull, deserves to be greatly supported, I know, all being well, I shall be attending :-) But recitals over in the UK, in the main, are not well attended, apart from so called "celebrity" recitals, Manchester Cathedral, being one, no matter the venue. I was at a recital a few years ago, and it was on historic style instrument, in what is reckoned to be England's largest parish church,(think Barry was there), and the organ was presided over by a well known organist emeritus from York Minster, and it failed to attract more than a few "dyed in the wool," organ "buffs sadly

was it a blind dog? for the visually impaired

I remember a few years ago, when talking to Robert Sharpe, that I had a good friend, who had quite a few private recordings of the Minster organ , from the 50's and early 60's. He asked if he could hear them, maybe this was a precursor to any alterations, then again, probably not

At my dads church (Witton Gilbert), when he was the organist and choir master, had a fine Harrison (being in Durham), but when a young organist went there in the 1980's, it was soon replaced with a Copeman Hart analogue toaster, the organist at St. Nicks, bought a few people to see it,

was the church in Durham, a one manual?, if so, they were told it HAD to be a pipe organ, to meet the restructuring guide lines (St, Nicolas) I was a worshiper there on a few occasions. I was a member of a " happy clappy, band led and organless church, and for all its local criticism (some called it a cult), it attracted 4-500 people every week, and about 300, when students were not in residence. I loved it, BUT also went to the Cathedral on sunday afternoons every week, so I was in both camps, as they say. Am now a King James and BCP person, even to the extent of attending different church at christmas eve, 15 miles away, as there was no "bells and smells" at that one, as there was where my dad was organist Peter

I know this is slightly off topic, but it is to do with York Minster. I went to James Lancelot's recital there, last night (sat), and it was fantastic. He got sounds out of that organ, as if he was DOM there. Apparently, he only came down twice during the week to practice. It was note perfect throughout, and a very rare,standing ovation at the end, was very fitting . His appreciative smile brought a ray of light into that space, so much so, it brought a lump to a few peoples throats. Perfection.....

IMHO, he certainly deserves that position, knowing him quite well, the sheer work he has done at the Cathedral, over the years, and the personal sacrifices I presume he has made, are in themselves are deserving. On a non organ topic, just the other month, I was sat in a chair, in his sitting room, with a log fire roaring, with just my dad and I, and James, sipping a drink, and talking about his up coming retirement to Tewksbury. A great man, if I say so, and they will be difficult shoes to fill, again imho

and if I am right, the sound was from an ancient pair of Tandy PZM's and a tascam handheld recorder lol. As a "non Organist", I am always very happy, when the person in command of a larger instrument, plays effortlessly, or near enough

the ones in Harrogate are the 4 man one at St. Peters, a late departed friend was organist there, I have a private recording done in the 80's, just after Ernest Hart installed his 32' speakers and a Bert Preted rebuilt it. And the other, I think is St.john's, Bilton,

York is NOT in the North East lol, its not far from Leeds, and just along the 1079 to Beverley, much less south than Ampleforth, ( I live just 12 miles from York )

I will have to go, and take a friend who lives in Manchester took her to York and Beverley minster last year..... she enjoyed it :-)

well A very good friend of mine, has recorded Mr, Derrett a few times, and the cds, that were produced, received very good reviews from OR, a few years ago. And nothing more expensive was used than an old pair of "Tandy" PZM mics and a tascam DAT (at the time) recorder. So like has been said, one can use just a basic minimum of expense, all the way to a "£8500 Neuman "dummy head plus associated cables recorder etc

Apparently, one of the "most loved stops" on the Durham Cathedral organ, is the French Horn,was told this by JBL, a few years ago

Just thought I would share this bit of useless information. Was up in Durham seeing my father (15th aug), and whilst been giving a tour of the cathedral (not for the first time, he was a guide there), we had the pleasure to hear a visiting choir, from Wantage. They were quite a large choir, and filled the stalls, they sang a Byrds mass for five voices at a special sung Eucharist to the Virgin Mary, as well as 3 hymns. The chap playing the H & H organ, seemed quite deft and comfortable. Nice quiet voluntary before, had not heard it before, and same with the concluding one, plus the double ophicleide and bombard Tubas

Just thought I would share this bit of useless information. Was up in Durham seeing my father (15th aug), and whilst been giving a tour of the cathedral (not for the first time, he was a guide there), we had the pleasure to hear a visiting choir, from Wantage. They were quite a large choir, and filled the stalls, they sang a Byrds mass for five voices at a special sung Eucharist to the Virgin Mary, as well as 3 hymns. The chap playing the H & H organ, seemed quite deft and comfortable. Nice quiet voluntary before, had not heard it before, and same with the concluding one, plus the double ophicleide and bombard Tubas

interesting, there is a video on Youtube, showing him setting up the "flying mics for a recording, sending them out into the middle of the nave

there are many churches and chapels here in the UK that have galleries built into the architecture, and can see the point of say raising the said microphones, to get a clear sound, just that Liverpool, and st. Sulpice don't :-)

Liverpool is a great tribute to organs in this country, BUT I personally find its been over recorded by all and sundry (incl me 4 times). I , as a "non player" have heard, that the voicers of organs, always voice the organ they are doing, as to be at the best sounding from a reasonable height, as heard by the people that play, or a congregation, so am I missing something about recording from great heights, or "flying" the microphone in the stratosphere, so as to avoid noise, etc. a lowly butcher :-)

I have all of the very first 20 GEO cd's, and still listen to the odd one. But am glad they are halting it (are they?) as they came out rather quick, and always cost me a fortune. And would never pay the £25 for one of their DVD's

All Hallows by the Tower had an ashtray in situ, back in the 1980's

Yes, sign of the times we live in, just my own personal point of view, its COOL to sing in a choir, BUT not cool to sing in a church choir, there are so many more distractions these days it seems. Regardless of the good work Gareth Malone is doing (like or dislike him) with the formation of "singing groups", although it seems not for anyone under the age of 18 it seems, according to his TV programs

I have that CD, its a Michael Murray one, playing Bach, its still a favourite of mine. Not heard it for a while tho

I used to go to many of the Bank Holiday recital at Newcastle, when Tim Hone was DOM, it was in fine voice then, I think

ah ha, I see. I new James when he came to Durham, back in 1985/86. Very nice man, and his wife, Sylvia

SL, I used to live and work in Cottingham, but was born and raised in Durham( hence the photo on my profile). Ralph Franklin who was mentioned in the article in this thread, was a good family friend, and when I started my business i Goole (over the river Ouse), I used to go to Howden a lot. My interest has just been "nudged" this past weekend as (for personal reasons) I will be a frequent visitor again