churchmouse

Oh thanks Vox. Hmmm - I can see the attachments. Funny. Oh well. Part of the reason that the organ fared so well was that because it was up high, seated on what used to be choir stalls in tiers, so it was cushioned. When the massive vertical thrust struck in February, it joggled up and down as if on a trampoline. Had it been down on the floor height, it would have gone the way of everything else such as the 2 grand pianos and chamber organ and all service conduits etc and been submerged in liquefaction. So yes, it was very lucky.

Dear Listers, apologies for my absence in these discussions for many moons. But I've got 2 little items for you. 1. Many of you who have supported, encouraged and seen us through the last 8 dark years of rebuild after the earthquakes will be probably interested to know you can also 'take part' in the re-opening concerts of the Rieger in the Christchurch Town hall on Wednesday March 6th. Both concerts, played by Martin Setchell, will be streamed live via a website link; the time in New Zealand will be 1.10pm and 6pm, so I suggest to find the correct time for you, get Google to see what time it is where you are in comparison with New Zealand. The concerts will be an hour and are the same programme. Anyway you can read all about this and the programme on either www.nzorgan.com and www.pipelinepress.com . 2. As soon as Rieger had finished their job of restoring, repairing and finishing the additions (14 new ranks) to the Christchurch town hall organ, Martin recorded a celebration CD called "Resounding Aftershocks". This will be released on the day of the re-opening concert. But if any of you are keen to read more and buy at a discounted price before then, go to https://www.pipelinepress.com/resounding-aftershocks-pre-release.html . Sorry if this sounds like too much overt publicity, but it has been a massive and joyous step for so many people. We can hardly believe it is happening. Cheerful noises, churchmouse March 6th-Organ concert flyer-for distribution2.pdf

You can go to this pipelinepress.com link: "Organs and Organists" And can read reviews there too, if that helps. And thanks to John Mander for allowing a special exemption to post this on the Forum; John has always been most welcoming and helpful in all matters "organic". Even by supplying his picture of the "bear" organ for the book was a big plus! What I want is a cat organ, now please John; I suggest you put a cat at the top of the case, knocking over all the pipes it can reach when you pull a stop named, say "Tombez" . Good idea?? :-)

Dear List members, I'm delighted to say that "Organs and Organists: Their Inside Stories" is now freely available online whether you live in Timbuktu, Hokitika, Moosejaw or London, by kind permission of my publishers, Butz of Bonn. To celebrate this great globalisation (!!) we are giving away a free DVD of Martin's recording of "Pictures at an Exhibition" recorded on the Christchurch Town Hall organ in NZ with every copy of the book sold from our website until the end of March - or until our supplies last. (It includes the special paintings done by Philip Trusttum but also shots of the interior and exterior of the organ.) If you go to the buy now page at this link on pipelinepress.com you can also read reviews about the new book. Any questions, fire away!! Cheerful noises from down under, Jenny

I now have an ETA of "Organs and Organists: Their Inside Stories" as June 12th! Very exciting. If you need to track it down before I can let you know where it is sold in shops, the ISBN is ISBN 9783928412216. SO after June 12th I shall be in hiding...

John Mander has very kindly given his blessing for me to make a brazen advertisement for my latest book, "Organs and Organists: Their Inside Stories" on your forum. John himself and several of you have helped by contributing - for all this I am immensely grateful. I'll keep it as short as possible since all the info you will need is on the website. But I am happy, relieved (delirious almost) to tell you all that my almost-sequel to Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the World of the King of Instruments is now in the last stages of production and will be hitting the streets (figuratively speaking I hope) in June/July. It is a vast tome (it put on weight faster than me in a chocky factory) at 416 pages of full colour with masses of cartoons, photos, drawings and goodness knows what else. It took on a life of its own. It is also impossible to describe. A little slideshow of some of the pages on the webpage will help give you an idea... The good thing is that I can offer a slight discount for pre-publication expressions of interest. It will undoubtedly be cheaper for you to order from Butz rather than me if you live in the northern hemisphere . But still put your name down so that we know to contact you once the book is available and you still qualify for the discount as well as the cheaper version from Europe. Both printings are identical - it is just that we are trying to save you money on the postage! You can always email me, but the quickest thing is to visit this webpage with the info Cheerful, and relieved noises, Jenny

yes - have to agree, Tony. Martin Doering has 4,760 organs on his site complete with a huge database and CD recordings (how I admire that man's wonderful energy as well as his photography) ... but he would be the last to admit it is anything like complete.

This was fascinating, thanks! Horrifying and unsurprising. 6.3% regular church goers out of the total population. But I wonder what was defined as regular? Anyway - yes - I still think the number of 120,000 organs worldwide is far too low. Even if you don't count single manual or in bad shape ones. I had thought of asking organ builders for individual lists but my heart failed me....

How many pipe organs in the world - in total? If you count everything, from one manual upwards, but only those that are working, what do you think the ball-park figure might be? I have tried asking this elusive question of a number of organ specialists, as well as trying to nail the sum by doing some totting up of various databases and I'm still not convinced I am getting anywhere near the right number. Possibly the most accurate comment comes from the wonderful, and indefatigable Martin Doering of die-orgelseite.de: "According to several sources there must be about 120,000 pipe organs in the whole world. Probably about 30% of them are in a poor condition or not playable anymore because there is no money to repair / restore them". Can anyone add their considered two pennyworth?

Thanks Colin - how strange - I HAD read the article, and another one from the Mechanical Music forum (blinding me by mechanical detail in the process ) in which the word poppet sprang out and grabbed me by the throat. Delicious word for a part of an organ. Should be used much more often. Absolutely a cracker of a pun too. Many thanks.!

Thanks guys - yes, I found other examples and it is indeed a reversible piston. Looks more like something your scrap mud from your boots with - but sounds very handy. I tried posting a pic but I couldn't figure out how to do that on this forum. Can anyone point me to a help file? Signed: Dillbrain.

I have just discovered a post on Facebook showing lettering on a console mirror that reads: "Clergy in mirror are closer than they appear" . Can't figure where it is taken though.

Just curious as to how these horseshoe pedals work - are they like the French spoon couplers? The example I am thinking of is in St Andrew's, Hingham, in Norfolk...

Has anyone seen this? https://www.facebook.com/baiwir/videos/10208562331403157/

A friend of mine uses an iPad (I think it's an iPad rather than a notebook) to read his music from in concerts, while his accomplice sits near the console - perhaps the front pew or a chair in a loft - and turns the page for him remotely using some sort of connection - Bluetooth, WiFi etc. Brave man, I thought, and have wondered whether he ever had problems with system/battery/interference etc. I will be asking him, of course. But that also lead me to muse on the world of page turners - old style and new style. Being one such, I KNOW there are a wealth of tales out there, both from the point of view of performer and turner. Anyone care to share their tales (anonymity assured) for my book? Some have already run in Organ-isms but there must be as many diverse stories as there are players. And turners... EDIT: Arghghgh! Sod's Law! I just posted this then found the topic Sheet Music and Tablets - sorry for any duplication. But I am still fascinated to hear your stories... :-)

Many thanks! Have been in touch and getting sorted. Excellent work, troops.

This is not really about notices but since it concerns my search for gems for the next anecdote book, it fits in. I came across this image of a stop knob coupler which looks amazingly real or else is a very clever use of photoshop. I want to trace either the stop or the creator of the image for use in the book. Anyone got any ideas? And thanks to everyone who is chipping in with contributions and oddities - keep them coming! UPDATE: Source found! Yay. One more ticked off the list. Thanks to all.

Thanks Colin!! In fact I have even made these - especially nice as doormats. Symbolic, methinks.... :-)

Um, sorry to do this but I can't help myself. The correct spelling of Rieger is Rieger, not Reiger. Think of Riesling! I do. Often...

Spot on, John. I also remember the horror when I told someone that in fact some of the ones they were admiring were dummies. Perhaps I shouldn't have....

Anyone care to share what you get asked about or comments you get when strangers come up to the organ console? ( Or wherever they talk to you about the organ). I've had some screamingly funny questions and comments from those who don't have a clue, but if time (or not playing a recessional!) I did try to answer them and help pass on some passion and information; you never know, that question may one day be something THEY answer! A frequent one is "Why is there more than one keyboard?" - and "Where do you turn up the volume?" Anyone got any other little gems for me? Send me a private message or email me if you prefer. Oh, pipes are also fair game and organ music in general. I will enjoy anything anyone cares to contribute! (Of course am hoping to get some little vignettes for that book...) Have fun... and thank you in advance!

Many thanks David - wouldn't it be great to have a photo or even a sketch but I suppose that's not possible.

Terrific!! Is that your photo BAM? Any chance I could use it for my book?

Thanks everyone! Keep them coming!

Yes - anything! Whatever struck you as funny or very unusual. Even if I can't use it, it can help brighten the day for all of us :-)