Richard McVeigh
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Posts posted by Richard McVeigh
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Do you happen to know whether John intends to submit this transcription for publication, please?
Incidentally, it is 'Cochereau' - just for the record.
Sorry about the typo, I find myself with too little time to check my spellings!
Yes it was published in 2006, under a label I have never heard of, and reads "Dr. J. Butz * Musikverlag - Éditions Chantraine" at the bottom of the front cover. He has recorded it on a newly to be realeased CD with Regent on the Minster organ, along with many other unknown ditties, including an alternative arrangement of Dupré's Cortege et Litaine, in which I played some notes in the first section!!
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John, you inspired me. Literally two minutes ago I was up in the midst of the organ case, and am now filfthy!
There are three concievable levels in the organ case, the lower floor is where the console is, along with all the bellows, the solo box, the Bombarde and the Tuba Mirabilis, the second floor starts just at the base of the dummy pipes, and the third is about 8' above that. Ok, this might but the height of the organ case into perspective:
I am exactly 6', and when I stand on this second floor (at the same height as the dummies), I would estimate that there was space for another one and a half people at 6' to stand on my shoulders before the four corner towers start, if you follow?
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I suggest parsfan attends a larger Sunday service. The Tuba is much less likely to be used when the service is in the Quire since it faces in the opposite direction. Actually, his best bet might be to contact Richard McVeigh, member of this forum by e-mail! Actually, all the music staff are very friendly and I'm sure something can be arranged.
The York Minster Tuba is a sound unlike (virtually) any other. It is only border-line musical IMHO...but, as they say
'whatever turns you on!'
Sorry I didn't get to talk to you on Monday at Francis' suprise recital, I was too busy trying to get autographs hehe!! But what a night - certainly one to remember. Do you like the musical efforts in the book? I think its a splendid volume, the Passacaglia by Carter is just brilliant. And John played admirably I thought, a huge achievment playing all that new repertoire don't you agree. I loved Francis' opening comment of his ad lib speach "Well, I wonder what you would do if you were in my position?"
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Gosh I am sorry! Having only just seen this thread, I feel embarrased that there was a question for me and have not responded in 2 months. I find myself visiting this part of the message board very little, as I know nothing about organ building! However -
The Great Douple Open Diapason is on the east side of the organ case on a North-South axis. If you look carefully at the case while stood under the tower, and look past the 'dummy' pipes you can see the stop in question - a very dull grey. Now, I don't think all the painted pipes on the case are dummies, thats one to ask Geoff I think.
The Great Gedeckt (one of my favourites) is on the Great sound boards, which is on the North side of the organ case, on an East-West axis. The central space in York is huge, don't be fooled by the almsot optical illusion that it doesn't look as big as you might think.
On the South side of the Quire are 'bigger' pedal stops - the Diapason 16' & 32', Violone 16, Trombone 16' & 32'. At present I can't remember where the Ophicleide 16 is.
On the South side of the Choir Screen (just one the right of the organ case as you look at it from the nave) are the pedal 'smaller' stops, such as the Sub Bass 16', Fagotto 16', Gamba 16' the flutes and mixture.
The Solo box is on the North of the Choir Screen, and the Swell box is just to the North in the organ case.
And breaking news - we are getting a Cymbelstern installed within the next year!
Sorry it took me so long to reply to this John, but I hope this answers your questions?
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I think Simon Preston's 'Tocatta' alludes to the Simpson's theme tune. Sarah Baldock might know. She has it in her repertoire.
Grateful to see the photos of the York TM. Would be even more grateful to hear it. Despite attending abt six Saturday Evensongs a year, its abt two years since I have heard it used in the voluntary. I thought that it might be used at the end of Elgar's Imperial March. But sadly not.
While chuntering on abt Saturday's Evensong at York, can anyone explain why choirs still sing 'Day in B flat'. The Mag is particularly wretched !
I do agree about the Day comment, York Minster has quite a varied repertoire.....! I can certainly unleash the Mirabilis to you after an Evensong one day if you want, Sunday Evenings are best. Its used quite a lot in big services, such as the ones around Christmas.
One must remember that when Harrison & Harrison installed the Tuba Mirabilis in 1916, the organ was generally all on a higher wind pressure. It becomes clear in a simple table:
Tuba Mirabilis 25", and still on 25"
Tuba 20", now on 15"
Great reeds 15", now on 7"
Great fluework 7", now on 4 1/4"
Pedal Ophicleide 25", now on 6"
Considering how notorious this stop has become, it is used very little in the day-to-day life of the Minster. It is inaudible in the Quire and is too loud when accompanying a choir in the nave. It is generally only used on a Sunday morning when the Eucharist is in the nave, and it is useful when used to play the melody during a loud hymn. Coupling it through and playing it on the Great (the last page of the Cocker for eg) would be crazy, thats not what it was designed for. It is merely used for single melody lines. You might also be interested to know that the Solo Octaves do not have any effect on the Mirabilis, but yet alter everything else.
Thanks. I have heard it. The last time was when JSW played Franck's 'Finale' And before that in some vulgar Cocherau piece before Christmas that quoted 'Jingle Bells'. I have some sympathy with those who think the York TM unmusical. Its not like the Chamade stops at St Paul's and St John the Divine. Or the Trompette Militaire at Liverpool. The tone is too loud, forceful and 'fat' to be used in pieces such as the Gigout.Which service was this? The only Cocherau that John played around Christmas was the last movement of "Symphonie en Improvisation" which John has transcribed from a recorded improvisation. I can't say that I noticed the Jingle Bells tune however!
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Richard, did you see pipe-work for this division? Or was it an extra array of speakers for the temporary electronic organ?
I was also surprised to see your comment about the main organ console. From that which Adrian Lucas had previously written, I had understood that no pipe-work or mechanism was to be installed until 2008. On that basis, I had assumed that the only console in the building belonged to the toaster. Is this in fact not the case? It would be interesting to know.
There was definatly pipework, and there were some instructions on the electric organ's console written by Christopher Allsop, and part of it quoted "you may be interested to know that the (i forget the stops) are actual pipes!", releating to this nave organ. Maybe Rodgers (the electric organ company) have temporally installed these pipes for use with their organ?
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Is this any good?
http://www.tickell-organs.co.uk/specInfo/Worcester.htm
I am surprised that you describe it as installed - well ahead of schedule if so.
I played there on Friday, and on the north side of the nave there is a small organ division, apparently just an Open Diapason 8', Octave 4' 2' + Mixture, playable from the main organ console. Presumably used to lead the congregation, pretty much exactly what we need here in York. If you imagine where our nave console is in York, the organ in question in Worcester is in the exact same place. I was going to get a picture of it for ideas about the idea of a nave organ in York but I forgot!
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Has anyone got, or know where I can find a picture of the new nave division that has been installed on the North side of the Cathedral?
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Elgar's Vesper Voluntaries. It is definitely a mistake to play the whole lot in a single recital - I know because I sat through them once. Fortunately there was a beautiful building to look at to relieve the utter boredom.
Peter
Yes, perhaps the whole lot at a recital is a bit much, but I must confess to quite liking the Andantino...Really? I played them all at a recital last weekend and most people said that they enjoyed them the most! I love them all, they are all really beautiful and each one contains a memorable tune.
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I'm sure you are being over-modest, Richard.
We enjoyed tonight's recital, and I'm grateful for your bringing it to my attention.
Just as a matter of interest, we sat in the row in front of the canons' stalls on the decani side, behind the Crown Prince of Burma (!) and the recitalist's wife. Once ensconced, we could not help but notice a small box immeditately in front of us and, being of a naturally inquisitive nature, I found it to be unlocked and proceeded to open it. Within, I found a two octave keyboard and soon realised that this was a small harmonium of sorts. I was tempted to join in the recital, but decided not to on two counts: (i) it looked as if it was about to fall apart, and (ii) I can't play!
Did you know about this? Presumably its function would have been to provide a pitch note for unaccompanied choral services.
John
Just been in the Minster to hear FAJ practicing as I am going to be away for his recital tomorrow. Its amazing that he is only a month off 90 and he still plays the way he does.
I saw that small harmonium, I have never noticed it before, it looks ancient! I tried to get a sound out of it (at the risk of interupting Francis) but either it is no longer in working order or I am totally incompetent... probably the latter! I wonder why it is still there and not somewhere safe?! Thats typical of York - ancient artifacts just lying around. I have infront of me a copy of Mozart's 'Day of anger' (Dies Irae) and marked in red crayon at the top of the first page is "First time Dec 23. 1911 TT Noble". This is from a bound collection of albums in the minster music library. Earlier in the ablum is Gray's 'What are these that glow from afar', this time the copy is annotated in purple crayon by Bairstow. One always feels a sense of history in and around the Minster.
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Just recieved details of the music for a wedding I'm doing in the Minster in a couple of weeks. The recessional is
Widor (Charles Murray) Decata in F
Anyone know where I can get a copy??
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I'm sure you are being over-modest, Richard.
We enjoyed tonight's recital, and I'm grateful for your bringing it to my attention.
Just as a matter of interest, we sat in the row in front of the canons' stalls on the decani side, behind the Crown Prince of Burma (!) and the recitalist's wife. Once ensconced, we could not help but notice a small box immeditately in front of us and, being of a naturally inquisitive nature, I found it to be unlocked and proceeded to open it. Within, I found a two octave keyboard and soon realised that this was a small harmonium of sorts. I was tempted to join in the recital, but decided not to on two counts: (i) it looked as if it was about to fall apart, and (ii) I can't play!
Did you know about this? Presumably its function would have been to provide a pitch note for unaccompanied choral services.
John
I can't think what that would be actually, I can visualise where you were sitting and there shouldn't be anything like that there. I'll go in later and have a look. If its still there I'll hand it into the Minster Police, after I have had a good nosey at it!
I didn't make it in last night - the girlfriend's parents came up so we enjoyed a nice night out. Was a shame to miss the opening recital though. How did the organ sound? Last week I spent an entire evening going through every stop and every note then writing in the organ tuner's book any problems; I covered three whole pages!! I don't know if Geoffry has been in yet though. There is also a problem with some(!) of our bellows, they leak air therefore the wind pressure is not tip top which does lead to a rather anticlimax when using some of the louder stops, the effect sounds rather French as the whole pitch of the organ suddenly drops.
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Thank you Richard.
I have just talked 'She Who Must Be Obeyed' into going to tomorrow's recital.
I would really like to see 'The Grand Old Man' (FJ), but we are going on holiday to Ireland the next day.
I'll also try to talk her into coming to see your good self as well, but that may be pushing it a bit!
John
Sorry you can't make FJ's recital, its a landmark year for him this year as he turns 90 in October. If you can make it to mine then great, if not - you won't miss out on much I'm sure. Might see you tonight then!
Now judging by that splendid performance of the Reger from Beverley Minster, which Richard recorded, I think it would be worth trotting along just to hear that.....and it happens to be my birthday on that day! Mmmmmmm!MM
Gosh, thank you very much! I'd forgotten about that recording! Was only of a humble age of 20 when I made that I think. The Langlais is a very exciting piece which I don't think many people will know. Its nothing like anything else he wrote, infact it sounds like Messiaen.
I've only just noticed that all the 'home team' are all playing 5 pieces - random coincidence!
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Here are the programme details:
28th July - Wenzel Hübner
Prelude & fugue in E flat major (BWV 552, 'St. Anne') J.S. Bach
Jesus bleibet meine Frude (BWV 147, Jesu, joy of man's desiring) J.S. Bach
Vor deine Thron tret ich hiermit (BWV 668) J.S. Bach
Sonata No. 8 G.J. Rheinberger
Elevazione Felice Moretti
Pière en fa Jacques-Nicolas Lemmens
March in A Major Frederick Scotson Clark
Le Cygne (The Swan) Camille Saint-Saëns
Crand Choeur Triomphale Alexandre Guilmant
4th August - Colin Andrews & Janette Fishell
Duet
Mars, the bringer of war (From The Planets) Gustav Holst
Janette Fishell
Impromptu Louis Vierne
Carillon de Westminster Louis Vierne
Prélude et danse fuguée Gaston Litaize
Duet
Chant des étoiles Frank Ferko
Colin Andrews
Variations de concert Joseph Bonnet
La Vierge et l'enfant Olivier Messiaen
Dieu parmi nous Olivier Messiaen
Duet
Bacchanale (From Samzon et Dalila) Camille Saint-Saëns
11th August - Francis Jackson
Prelue & fugue in B Minor (BWV 544, 'The Great') J.S. Bach
Andante in F Henry Smart
Toccata, chorale and fugue Francis Jackons
Nocturne in D flat Edward Bairstow
Choral No. 3 César Franck
18th August - Gordon Stewart
Concert Overture in C minor Alfred Hollins
Schmücke dich, O liebe Seele (BWV 654, From the 'Eighteen Chorales') J.S. Bach
Prelude & fugue in G Major (BWV 541, 'The Great') J.S. Bach
Variations in B Minor Oreste Ravanello
Berceuse Edmin Lemare
Scherzo fugue Edmin Lemare
Roulade Seth Bingham
Allegro (from Symphonie VI) Charles-Marie Widor
25th August - Richard McVeigh
Introduction and Passacaglia in D Minor Max Reger
Sonata No. 3 in A Major Francis Jackson
Prelude & fugue in G Major Felix Mendelssohn
Vesper Voluntaries Edward Elgar
La Cinquième trompette Jean Langlais
1st September - James Lancelot
Fantasia super: Komm, Heiliger Geist (BWV 651) J.S. Bach
Die Kunst der Fuge (BWV 1080, Contrapunctus I, II, XIII & XI) J.S. Bach
Valet will ich dir geben (BWV 736) J.S. Bach
Fantasia of four parts Orlando Gibbons
Fugue in A flat minor Johannes Brahms
Sonata No. 7 G.J. Rheinberger
Harmonies du Soir Sigfrid Karg-Elert
Lied des Leiermannes Petr Eben
Dankpsalm Max Reger
8th September - John Scott Whiteley
Toccata and fugue in D Minor (BWV 538, 'The Dorian') J.S. Bach
Sonata in G Edward Elgar
Chant héroïque Jean Langlais
Variations on 'While shepherds watched' Charles Wood
Final (from Symphonie III) Louis Vierne
15th September - Philip Moore
The Severn Suite (Sonata No. 2) Edward Elgar
Praeludium in C Major (BuxWV 137) Dieterich Buxtehude
Suite brève Jean Langlais
Voluntary in D William Boyce
Carillon-Sortie Henry Mulet
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Barry.
I must defend the Organ Club, it doesn't work like that these days. Two weeks ago we were here in Chester (and North Wales) and the usual courtesies applied. We had permission for an hour on Chester Cathedral, this during Bank Holiday week, and amongst our players was Cynic - need I say more?
How was the organ? Did it behave?
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In future u could always try an 8' 4' 2' registration playing an octave down so in effect your playing with a 16' 8' 4' registration.
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I'm sorry, I don't recall all the details.
I was just going through it mentally. It's the Psalm "When Israel went out of Egypt, and the house of Jacob from among the strange people," isn't it?
"Judah was his sanctuary and Israel his dominion. The sea saw that and fled etc"
I suppose the Vox Humana and Tremulant would be irresistible for "The mountains skipped like rams, and the little hills like young sheep."
MM
"Tremble thou the earth at the presence of the Lord" is psalm 114, v. 7. The chant we use is one by Bairstow especially written for that psalm and the York organ. The organist's left foot plays a bottom C for the whole verse (verse 7) on the Sackbut 32', which has been a tradition, probably since Bairstow's time as there is the makring "32" in the score. Its great watching people's reactions in the congregation!
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Slightly off topic, Richard, but does the Minster Organ have a cymblestern? I am sure that I heard JSW use it during Mathias's Jesus College service.
What are you doing next year?
No it doesn't. Although I do remember something about it being mentioned in one of our meetings - what exactly I cannot remember!? I'll ask John in a bit.
As for next year... I'll still be here - its decision time after that I think.
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Incredible that Francis Jackson is till giving recitals in his 90th year.
I know he is playing Bach's Prelude and Fugue in B minor and Franck's Chorale No. 3 (which I am playing tomorrow as the voluntary incidently), can't remember what else he said now - it was very much a "Oh I think I'll play the B minor of Bach and Franck number 3"
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Thought I would post this summer's recital details. Each recital is on a Saturday at 7:00pm lasting c. 1 hour. Repertoire will include Elgar's Organ Sonatas & Vesper Voluntaries, Howells, Buxtehude, Bach, Langlais, Jackson and Mendelssohn to name but a few. You keep you posted with the details when I know more.
Saturday 28 July—Wenzel Hübner, Amorbach Abbey, Germany
Saturday 4 August—Colin Andrews and Janette Fishell, Florida, USA
Saturday 11 August—Francis Jackson, Organist Emeritus, York Minster
Saturday 18 August—Gordon Stewart, USA
Saturday 25 August—Richard McVeigh, Organ Scholar, York Minster
Saturday 1 September—James Lancelot, Durham Cathedral
Saturday 8 September—John Scott Whiteley, Organist, York Minster
Satruday 15 September—Philip Moore, Master of the Music, York Minster
Tickets cost £7 (concessions £5) and will be available at the door on the night.
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Will Huw be made Organist?
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Banks Music, York
01904 658836
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They ARE available in the High Street as I bought my copies in the Cardiff HMV store. Although produced by Victor Lewis-Smith's Associated-Rediffusion company (not the original for those old enough to remember - he bought the name and trade mark!) I'm pleased to say the series - like the 48 Preludes programmes - is a BBC Wales commission. I'm so used to people criticising my employer it's nice to hear some appreciation
Really?! John will be pleased to know - he was sure that they are only available online. I haven't seen any lurking about the shops in York; Banks Music have a BBC music DVD stand and I haven't seen it on there, or in HMV/Virgin etc.
What a shame - so what happens now, and why was it changed?It depends on whether or not the collection has finished. The stewards have usually finished it all by the time the Offertory Hymn is over, but sometimes theres room for an improv! Philip is also very good at improvising.
I, for one, enjoy watching (and re-watching) Series 1 and 2.I should be most grateful if Richard, or someone else 'in the know', would inform us on this site when Series 3 and 4 become available.
Do you know which instruments were used on these latter series, Richard?
Many thanks
John
Series 3 is still being edited, so don't expect that until later this year or even early next year
As for organs, I can't remember which ones he said. Hes currently away as it is half-term but when I see him I'll ask him. -
I also came away with the impression that in some instances JSW was filmed playing to pre-recorded tracks. What you could see him playing and what you could hear were't always necessarily in synch. Or maybe I've just been watching too much Songs of Praise, where it is common practice.
The audio was recorded first, followed by the visuals. This is common practise for "broadcast-quality" DVDs, and is the only possible way to get multiple camera angles without another camera appearing in-shot, as is the case with many live TV shows and concerts. If you watch the Bath Abbey episode, you might have noticed that there arn't even any stops drawn out. But one of the points of these DVDs is to try to reach people from all different levels, rather than just organists, and this is done by using some very strange camera angles and effects.
I must confess that I have yet to hear the Cochereau rendition of the 'Leipzig' 547. It has done me well as I played it in both my Chester and York sholarship auditions!
As for organs, I can't remember which ones he said. Hes currently away as it is half-term but when I see him I'll ask him.
Happy 90th Birthday, Dr Jackson!
in General discussion
Posted
Yes, it certainly was a night to remember. The whole point of the evening was to keep it a secret, but it was anyone's guess as to whether FAJ would find out, and as Paul points out he did not!
John's playing was great, it was such an enormous task for him as the entire recital was brand new repertoire. One piece in particular stood out for me, being the Passacaglia by Andrew Carter. I probably know these pieces as well as John now as I was dragged in to help out with the recording, therefore hearing the pieces many times over, and every time I hear it it grows on me even more.
Francis' ad lib speech after the recital was great. His opening line "Well, I wonder what you would do if you were in my position" had everyone in stitches.
Here are some pictures of the evening. I think if you click on the pictures it enlarges them.
Paul Hale presents Dr. Jackson with 'Fanfare For Francis'
The Doctor
John Scott Whiteley, Francis Jackon, Philip Moore
Roger Fisher
(Left to right) John Barry's sister (whose name escapes me) Richard Shephard, Paul Hale, Malcolm Riley, Noel Rawsthorne, Simon Lindley, Francis Jackson, Robin Walker, Priscilla Jackson, John Scott Whiteley, Alan Spedding, Philip Moore, Robert Gower, Andrew Carter