philip lowe

I think we would all wholeheartedly agree with these sentiments - it does seem odd though that having been given the OBE pre- retirement as minster organist that he should still not have been knighted! Anyway- good that his 90th year & continuing services have been marked. I think I am not speaking out-of-turn in saying that there is be a big minster celebration on the day after his birthday in the evening Wed 3rd October when we all may have opportunity to salute one who has been a great inspiration to so many. BW Philip

QUOTE(paul@trinitymusic.karoo.co.uk @ Jun 3 2006, 06:40 AM) The York Minster Tuba Mirabilis is eccentrically constructed, and I am sure that pcnd would not say that it qualifies as a chamade because the pipes do stand vertically on their chest. I can understand the description chamade being applied because after a run of quite a bit less than a metre, the resonators all turn 90 degrees and the remainder of each pipe virtually rests horizontally above the stone parapet. These pipes (or quite a few of them anyway) can be seen projecting horizontally at the bottom of the West case (i.e. the one that faces the Nave). This photograph shows why the stop in question may or may not be referred to as "En Chamade" .. http://www.flickr.com/photos/64649127@N00/452913306/

I understand from a reliable source that plans for the work to the organ include provision of small console at the West End in addition to a new mobile console. i.e. 3 in total (!) and that it is hoped to have one of these "up & running" by late summer. Does anyone have further information on what is planned? Regards Philip

The big Tuba is horizontal.....I once tuned a couple of pipes. So, I think, is the new reed (Bombarde?) pointing East, with much of the rest of the organ scattered at various points on the compass. The 1993 Bombarde has on specifications/descriptions of the minster organ, sometimes misleading been described as "en chamade". Whereas what I have seen was vertical, and hooded sitting just behind the curtaining to the right of the main case above the choir stalls (viewed from the choir). As has already been pointed out, the Tuba Mirabilis has a vertical chest & boots, with the smallest pipes hooded and the rest cranked round akin to a trombone slide, so that the mouths can be seen from the nave PL

there were moves affoot (2005) regarding the possibility of this instrument being moved to another church in the Diocese of manchester. I don't know what stage these are at or if they have fallen through. I was of the impression that the instrument would not be allowed to be broken up & unusually that the diocese has been involved. P.L.

I am led to believe that a new series of CD's or DVD's have been or are soon to be released with J. Scott Whiteley of York as the performer. These would no doubt be interesting, though his tendency to indulge in very marked rit/ralls at the end of sections in the fugue I don't much care for PL Manchester

Yes - a great event (as is always his annual minster recital)...... Dr. Jackson was very apologetic, afterwards, about the halted pedal passage in the Bach. His shoe had come off! Despite those few tense moments when we wondered what had happened! I and several others commented that, however many mishaps had occurred, it wouldn't have greatly hindered matters as the musicality of his playing always "shines" through - and also we hear parts of the minster organ that others players do not reach! Yes, as always, a marvellous musical occasion and the standing ovation at its conclusion brought quite a lump to the throat. Fantastic for one who soon reaches his 88th birthday. PL