parsfan

Even after all these years, Torch's playing is unsurpassed. Who else would have thought of using the tuned bird whistles in 'Hot Dog'?

Yes, the tune you are thinking of is called 'Billing'

Sounds like the usual pompous Liverpool nonsense. Where on earth did the habit of not applauding until the end of recitals come from? It can give the whole occassion the atmosphere of a cold night in the morgue.

And its not just Durufle that suffers at the hands of the showmen. I don't think CC's Bach recording at St Eustache advanced that composer's reputation.

au Contraire. In my view sjf demonstrated his professionalism in his comments. He rightly pointed out where VF's performance of an important serious work fell short of the composer's intentions. I think MD would have been horrified at the liberties taken by VF. In my view the music of MD demands excellence in it's performance and, like all serious organ music, is ill served by the Liberaces of the organ world.

Back to the music. I can't help thinking, every time I hear the prelude to the Op5 suite, how indebted we are to MD for writing such a solemn, profound, beautiful piece of music.

An intemperate comment, Lee I'm afraid. As an organist of no little reputation Stephen's comments carry weight. If you peform at a paid concert you expose yourself to critical comment whether well, ill or otherwise.

You never know ! After all West Point is added to from time to time. I have never heard St Barts organ but have visited the building and it did not strike me as being terribly big. Full Organ must be somewhat over powering.

played by Timmothy Farrell (whatever happened to him) In his 'Who's Who entry, Timothy Farrell, now 63, records that he has been Organist of the Liberal Jewish Synagogue, St John's Wood since 1975. Point is, I suppose, is that most Abbey Subs go on to enjoy illustrious Cathedral or recital careers.

I think that the Edinburgh organ with the drinks cabinet is the lovely Ahrend in the Reid Concert Hall of Edinburgh University. Edinburgh's answer to the Frobenius in Queen's Oxford. Fans of nave consoles might be interested to know that St Bartholemew's Church in NY acquired one earlier this year. http://www.nycago.org/Organs/NYC/html/StBartsNave.html

Did anybody go to JSW's recital at Canterbury last Saturday?

Standard IT fare. The Lied to the Sun is an exciting tocatta tho curiously enough I have never heard any one else but IT play it.

Wouldn't imagine that much now as their new Director of Music is not an organist. A band plays at the evening service, so the organ probably only gets an outing on a Sunday morning. How are we supposed to take improvisation seriously when such themes are given. I expect a gregorian theme to be the subject of a submitted theme improvisation. I have never regarded WM as a real improviser in the Briggs/Baker/Latry sense ! It beggars belief that the Flintstone theme is now set to a children's chorus that I recently heard at All Soul's Langham Place.

The Rieger in St Gile's cathedral in Edinburgh has a Glocken which I last heard used in the Hymn intro for 'Jesus Christ is Risen Today' one Easter Day. Hull, Hereford and the RAH all have bells o one sort or another.

Never hear much abt this organ these days. Does it still feauture in lunchtime recitals? What is the verdict on this organ's significance? I must admit that, generally, I regard the FH as the most cheerless and charmless of venues. I went to a concert once and music was being played over the hall's PA system before the concert !!

If I could choose the parisian Church to be Titulaire, it would be St Severin on the left bank. Small but perfectly formed with a lovely case at the west end. Once heard Guillou in recital there. Played Bach audaciously fast !

Art not entertainment. Leave entertainment to Messrs Curley and Olivera. I rather wonder what Bairstow would have thought of these two 'artists'. I suspect his verdict would be the same as when Francis Jackson played John Ireland's Villanella.

So, my original thesis was correct. Nutters ! On a couple of points. I wonder if anyone has ever read the diaries of a 19th century vicar, Francis Kilvert. He describes a rail journey between Bath and Bristol where he was nearly asphyxiated by smoke in the Box Tunnel. Hopefully, things have changed. Wurlitzer did make the best Theatre Organs. My view would be even more strongly held if I could visit the states and listen to some of the biggies. Wurlitzers certainly sound good compared to the small tedious thin toned six rank Comptons that were installed all over the UK. If you are within reach of London and want a quick fix of Wurlitzer, I believe Richard Hills plays each saturday afternoon in the Habitat in Regent's Street. Not only is this a sweet sounding instrument, The conversion of this former cinema to a store is quite stunning !!

Both attract nutters. Seriously, you would not believe the amount of odd people you meet at recitals. I have a theory that in any given recital audience at least a third will be mad !! I think its that railways and organs have both got a mechanical bent. I think, in a way, that is to the organ's detriment as it means that the focus can be on the instrument rather than the music. I feel sorry for cathedral Organists who after delivering sublime music are often button-holed by blokes in anoraks wittering on abt the 32ft reed ! Mind you if you think that the organ and railways crowd are a bit eccentric, you should see the cinema organ crowd.

The 'introduce yourself' topic has revealed rather depressingly a lack of female contributors to the discussion board. Why is this? Are we really just a bunch of anorak wearing 'Billy-no-mates'? They are out there. Louise Reid, Sarah Balock, Katherine Diennes and Sarah MacDonald. I wonder who will break the concrete ceiling and become the first female DOM at an English Cathedral?

From some of the sites I have looked at three or four choirs might be a conservative estimate. Indeed, one church was in double figures in terms of number of choirs ! However, there is always a decent no of underlings in terms of assistants and choir trainers. How can they do this? The answer must be in the collection plate !!

I never had the privilege of hearing GTB in recital. As good as he was cracked up to be?

It occurred to me that both these comps should be taking place this year. Does anyone know if either or both are still on the go, or have they gone the way of the Dodo?

Ed Bowie, born in Dunfermline and educated at the University of Hull. I work as an office drone for the Civil Service in Victoria Street, SW1. A devoted attender of Westminster Cathedral's weekly recital but my favourite organ is that of York Minster and I try and attend Evensong there two or three times each term.