churchmouse
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Posts posted by churchmouse
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I am looking for the score - in whatever form - of a piano and organ duet that Hollins used to play at Victoria Hall, Hanley with W.T.Bonner on piano.
According to a programme for October 9th in 1922, The organ and piano duet "Polonaise", written by Hollins, was played for the fifth time at the Victoria Hall concerts (for which it was composed).
The programme says: "The polonaise is in D major, with a trio, or middle part in B flat, which is afterwards repeated in the tonic, forte, and with a florid counterpoint in the pedal". Reading Hollins' biography it appears that this duet was very popular but strangely enough I have never been able to trace it in printed form. It looks as though he played it in the USA too.
So - anyone spied anything like it lying around in a loft or some such? Most enquiries have met with blank stares. Sounds as though it must have been quite a fun piece...
chirps
Jenny
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Organ voluntaries: A selection from "Carnival" by Ste. Camille sans Animals
MM
(What a good job we didn't have the real animals there!)
:lol: :lol: Just love it. Even better than one we saw which reported that Miss A. Brevis was going to take part in a concert...Can I use it in my ubiquitous book, MM???
chirps
Jenny
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My co-author and I hope to set up a website later in the year on which we can take and answer queries of this type. Also, we will be offering, free, a downloadable form of an organist's contract that will include provision for video recording, etc. fees.
Barry Williams
It sounds a super idea Barry - can you let us know know when your website is up and running, and I'll pop a link to it on our links pages at nzorgan.com. I think a lot of musicians feel diffident about "causing a rumpus" about this sort of thing and your book might just be the sort of thing to give them the confidence to stand up for their rights.
cheers
Jenny
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sorry - pushed the wrong piston!..........................................
I was going to say:
I'll be seeing him again very soon and will ask again ( it has been 17 years since the last time, on a train to London to make a recording of him playing all of the Whitlock Sonata at the RAH) if this would add verisimilitude.
There are so many of these stories and so many of them ARE good, but with little basis.
DW
oh yes, please - if you can establish more of the facts that would be great. Although I'd hate the truth to get in the way of a good yarn ....
But if a story can come directly from the horse's mouth, all the better!
Cheers
Jenny
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I posted this elsewhere - Campbell, not in any conventional sense a "believer" was once asked, when at Southwark, "what's the cathedral for?" to which he replied "to keep the organ dry".Peter
Brilliant!!!!
Can I have it?Jenny
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I have never heard this story and I simply can't imagine the Campbell I knew behaving in this way. Eccentric he may have been, difficult certainly (and to those who challenged his authority he could be a downright b*****d), but it was all in the cause of music and art. In his own way he was, I think, religious and had respect for the human condition. Moreover, SSC was never assistant to anyone, anywhere. His career path was quite unusual in that respect.
Conway died in the Isle of Man in 1961 so is inherently unlikely to have died in an organ loft.
So if there is any truth at all in this tale, it can hardly have involved either of the persons named. Personally I suspect the whole thing is excramentum tauri.
Yep thanks VH, but I did know it wasn't the people first named; but do wonder if there is the slight tinge of truth somewhere there?
How many organists have "died in harness"? Probably quite a few apart from famous ones such as Vierne....
Vox, can you tell any other stories about Sydney Campbell? He sounds a character...
cheers
Jenny
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I'm ploughing through the wonderful heap of organ anecdotes (nearly wrote antidotes - hmmm - could almost be appropriate) and have a delightful one which the author has confirmed that it is impossible for the main players in it to have been the people cited; after consulting the wonderful book "The Succession of Organists" I agree with him... Campbell and Conway could NOT have been the people involved.
But I would dearly like to know if this has any basis in truth and thought if anyone would know, it would be one of you guys here on this forum!
This is the yarn:
The story is told (although unlikely to be true), that when Sidney Campbell (he of ‘dry-as-a-bone’ wit) was Assistant to Marmaduke Conway in 1949, there was a most upsetting occurrence at Evensong one day. It is said that Dr Conway left the choir under Sidney’s direction for the anthem, so that he could be in the organ loft in time to play the final voluntary. The voluntary began, then a few minutes later there was the most ear-splitting cacophony of noise from the organ. It is told that, very sadly Dr Conway had died, and lay slumped over the keyboard. Apparently, so the rather unfortunate story continues, Sidney Campbell climbed into the organ loft and pulled the deceased Dr Conway off the organ, placing his body in the corner. Sidney Campbell then continued playing the voluntary, during which time the ambulance men arrived in the organ loft and looked blankly at him. Allegedly Sidney, whilst still playing, nodded towards the corner and said, in his usual, dry voice, “The dead one’s over there.”I look forward to any comments or suggestions - and as always, if any of you have got a good story for me... send it on in!!
Cheers
Jenny
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Mention of the name of Alan Wicks earlier (and if anyone knows how I might contact him as I would dearly love a few of his stories for my anecdote collection) reminded me of a yarn he told us when he was tutor at Addington palace in 1981 when I attended one of their summer courses for overseas church musicians. If I remember it right, he told us that the one way to keep choirboys in line was to hurl the odd rubber chicken at their heads if they started to misbehave, and he kept a stock of these in the loft for just such a purpose.
I wonder if any of you have been the recipient of a rubber chicken while warbling your best through the mag or Nunc?
Can anyone else corroborate this story? He was definitely a most enjoyable character with a zest for life that put people half his age to shame.
cheers
J
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Now at risk of repeating an earlier post, and with due apologies to Frank Fowler who was the source of the original story, Jenny will absolutely love this.
When Sir William McKie was organist of Westminster Abbey, he was invited to play a recital at St.John-the-Divine, New York. Thus, he travelled across the pond and found his way to the cathedral, to be greeted by one of the cathedral organists.
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MM
You're so right MM!!!!
can hear it all! Super stuff lads! Keep 'em rolling... Will have to figure out a way to keep logging in while we're on the road for next 5 weeks.
chirps
Jenny
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You may like it, you may hate it, but no-one can deny that it has spurned a lot of small boys into the world of church music, whether they care to admit it, or not!
yes - and hesitant church music lovers too. We used to perform the Stainer for years on Good Friday in the context of a midday service - alternating with Liszt's Via Crucis - and were lucky enough to have soloists of the status of Teddy Tahu Rhodes who was just beginning his now international opera circuit (besides being, as Martin described to the choir, the most good-looking Christus in the business. I always found it hard to play while swooning...)
Anyway, one one occasion I was making my way to the console beforehand and met two different people each trying to hide large tape recorders under their jackets. A rather nice compliment for a small church choir. The Stainer was approachable enough for people who otherwise would describe themselves as non-musical; and we KNOW it turned more people on, than off. And those stirring hymns .....
chirps
Jenny
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:-)))
I want to know what you played for signing the register?
Jenny
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"As this is one of my favourites, I wonder if the organist would mind letting rip with this one?". Response: Trompette en Chamade and Pedal Trombone only. (Chamade on a Toaster = the worst noise imaginable. Think of a hundred babies screaming)
oh yesssssssss!I recall one delicious time the whimpish little officiant (I'd like to add odious, insincere and a few other labels but am feeling kind this morning) announced his favourite hymn "Let Us Talents and Tongues" (we won't go there) which my husband was to play on the grand piano. The lurgyman added something similar to Adrian's chap "And please let's have a beefed up, rollicking version." I saw the gleam in Martin's eye and thought (like Cleese in the Fawlty Towers episode with the Irish builders) "Oh God, don't smile" and did up my seat belt. Rollicked? You bet. The rest of the congreation was into the start of verse two by the time the choir and those of us at the back had finished. Cured the curate though.
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The scars of boyhood had largely healed by the time I was 22, but one Sunday, I recoiled in horror upon entering church to play the organ, and my former headmaster stood there as the officiant at Evensong.
I don't know what came over me, but as the responses approached, the old tendencies suddenly re-emerged, and with narrowed eyes, I gently pushed in the Choir Dulciana and drew instead, the V rks Harmonics (15,17,19,b21 and 22). I pressed bottom "G" for the response note, following which there was a moment of hesitation and a sudden look of real panic on the face of the headmaster.
MM
and so is born a whole new chapter: "The Revenge!" Everyone own up: how many have ever so slightly raised response notes a tone. Or Two. Or, for the real meanies, three? Jenny
There appears to be some sort of bid for the longest Organist-Playing-Till-She-Comes music at weddings in many of the tales that are coming to me. the bride's prerogative to be late has stretched far too far in many cases. The longest so far is around 3 hours. Any more bids?
I can only lay claim to probably the shortest, when playing for a Japanese wedding (only people present: interpreter, retired bishop, organist, photographer and couple). The couple belted up the aisle early, the Bishop spoke a few words of welcome, and the beaming bridegroom chirruped in reply "I willlllll". Moment to cherish.
J
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..... On opening the door, I freed those who had engaged me for the concert. Apparently they had for some minutes been trying to rouse somebody to let them out. They were so grateful to their visitor!! To this day they still must think that the draught closed the door and locked them in.
Best wishes,
Nigel
now, that's a great idea - how to build audience numbers ..... Thanks Nigel! Keep 'em coming! -
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Ah! The joys of a mis-spent youth!
MM
Thanks Muso! I was hoping someone would heave this discussion back into the anecdotal realms. You're marvellous for telling stories against yourself - I think some are a little nervous of allowing themselves to appear human. Surely every organist - and I mean, EVERY organist - has had a bad day as you described in another very recent posting? Personally, I warm to performers who readily admit they can make a sllab-pu (this is a crude expression from downunder) just like the rest of us. Perhaps it's how they recover that makes them true stars...
C'mon playmates - more tales of your most embarrassing moments. You show me yours and I'll show you - etc etc etc . Promise I won't larf....
chirps
Jenny
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Anyone fallen asleep while actually giving the recital?
DRH
I've found myself feeling incredibly sleepy just BEFORE the concert or before having to play something very tricky in a service. I read somewhere that there is a syndrome called trench syndrome - troops in WWI suffered from it, falling asleep in the trenches only moments before the call came to go over the top.This was attributed to fear....
..... I also once played from loose sheets and discovered that two or three were in the wrong order - with quite interesting results for the 'flow' of the music.AJJ
Ah - loose sheets! eeeeeeek. I once turned pages for an Australian organist when he played a set of variations from loose sheets . Can't remember what it was but I do recall there were at least 9 sets of them - maybe more. But the tricky thing was that, unbeknown to me, he had arranged to play them in a different order from the page numbering - so there was a cute little battle scene as we lunged for control of the pages ...
I think page tuners are a much maligned lot. How many organists like turning pages themselves??
Jenny
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I don't suppose that I really belong to the real addressees either, but I have experienced a number of them, including Gillian Weir and Simon Preston, from whom I adopted the rule " at least 1 hour for every 10 minutes of the programme". I regard this as professional. I want 9 hours of practice before a full length recital.
Barry
Couldn't agree more with you Barry, and especially the term 'professional' - I am careful to talk about 'setting up' or 'registering' with the venue or event people, and not use the word practice. Practice is what you do before you arrive. I can't see why some performers take an almost perverse pride in preparing for a concert with minimum time. Surely, the more you are able to prepare in every sense (from getting used to console, desk, sounds, stops, lighting and even the way in which the concerts begin and end), the more at ease you will be, more at ease the audience will be, the better you will play, the happier everyone will be.
Cut short that preparation time and you are courting disaster. In fairness I know from bitter experience that often despite the organist's best efforts, practice time can get whittled away by all manner of intrusions (see my signature)
I wonder if UK organ concert organisers (churches and town halls) offered higher fees (or fees at all!) they would in return attract more professional attitudes. I don't mean to be provocative here...
... so don't hit me....Jenny
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Yes - but I but it was some time ago and I don't think I should go national with who was playing for fear of upsetting the person concerned or his large following. Sufficient to say that the organ was no good - the sound coming out through speakers far too near me for comfort (!!) and the repertoire was decidedly too 'light' for even my ears even though the playing was its expectedly high standard. The chippy on the way home had far more of a pull that evening.
My wife and I also did a similar thing at a Bath Festival concert. VERY obscure Baroque music - the sort that rather takes itself too seriously with an audience that largely did the same. The final straw was when the soloists came in - a very large man and a very small man. The problem was that the very large one was the Alto and the very small one the Bass! Immature it may be but I am afraid we couldn't stop laughing so we popped off to a very nice wine bar and had a meal out instead.
AJJ
have been in similar situation - ran out of hankies to stuff in mouths. I recall years ago a Cathedral in Germany - very famous for its summer evening free concerts where the tourists pack in and there's standing room available only on the altar. The organist played Liszt and Reger B.A.C.H. back to back (should that be Bach to Bach?) in the most turgid, plodding style I have ever heard. Mentally, we were out of there but couldn't move as it would have looked extremely rude and we were sandwiched somewhere between communion railand steps. If any doubting Thomas was converted to organ music that evening I'll eat my iPod.
Jenny
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In recitals, it is far more important to me that the audience go away happy than there are a lot of people there to start with.
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I don't think it is rude to suggest that players who stubbornly present the hardest pieces they can play without relief, players who insist that Bach never changed manuals or drew extra stops during a movement and players who expect everyone to sit through seriously long stretches of 'wrong-note music' do not help our cause. One can be totally well-intentioned, hard-working and serious and still miss the point by miles. If your audience has to be as dedicated and knowledgeable as you, then you should not expect many to come and listen.
Hear! Hear!!! With bells on!!!!
Now for the "be Honest" time: have any of you walked out of an organ concert/recital?
Jenny
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I think that's a great idea and here's another thought.
I have a links page that you can add your own websites to - I'd encourage you to add them as they are among the most visited pages of our website. the trick is to navigate to the category that you want (so not only dig down to organist, but go to the correct initial letter, and then submit your link - bit of a trick I admit but beyond my pathetic control at the moment. The rest is easy. You can add any favourite website you like in fact! (apart from Norty ones and those with tofu recipes - yuk)
the more sites the merrier, really.
Have a look and add your own: DIY organ links page
cheers
Jenny
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Hi Jenny - I started a thread about this very subject last year, under the heading "Joke and 'joke'". I particularly liked Nigel's "comeback" and some other jokes there.
Peter
Thanks Peter - yes, have been having a massively fun time (read that as no dinners getting cooked, no housework, no website done, no gardening, ... no nothing actually... too busy trawling!) Must admit half the delight is getting to know people and hearing their yarns personally. Haven't had time to add my own yet - not sure exactly how well they'd go down, being of a colonial "natchuh"!
Jenny
Some years ago, during a Family Service that often tended to be a bit of a "free-for-all" with kids wandering everywhere, an angelic looking little girl, about 3, appeared in the organ loft while I was playing a hymn, and came and stood beside the console watching me - and promptly "dissapeared". As the hymn finished, her head popped up beside the organ stool, she smiled sweetly, waved at me, and departed, pulling up her knickers as she went - leaving an enormous steaming yellow puddle on the floor!so what voluntary did you play??
thanks! Jenny
PS actually we had a similar problem once in a really crowded Easter service; a little boy and his mother were wedged in a corner at the back of the choir pews. The wee lad wanted to do just that but they were stuck fast, so the word was passed down to the soprano at the end of the pew. Luckily it was that sort of church and that sort of area where the flower ladies stashed their unused flower vases. The largest vase they could find was passed over the heads of the choir and given to the wee lad - who did. Equally ceremoniously it was then handed back, over the front and along to the person who was closest to the side door - and emptied. How's that for smooth?
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Many thanks MM - have sent you a PM. If the book got banned, that's the best selling device of all!
Back to my trawling the archives here.
Thought for the day:
Is it my imagination or do organists generally have a better developed sense of humour than many other species of musician? Hmmmmmmm . Could it be something to do with putting up with corny and inexhaustible supplies of wisecracks about organs? Sigh......
Jenny
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Jenny Setchell, on-off organist from early school days in North Island of New Zealand. Became parish organist when married to a Presbyterian minister and learned great deal about getting most out of little organs and choirs composed of sheepdogs, Australasian heavyweight champs playing xylophones and sawmillers, in wooden churches without electricity. Unsurpassable experience.
Studied organ performance at Canterbury University, although one unit away from completion as decided could not afford fees (besides giving up battle with hideous pre-concert nerves). As my tutor needed a page turner, we came to a reciprocal agreement and got married. Works very well. He doesn't dare annoy me before a concert. Have been a journalist for past 30 years, as a writer, then graphics journalist and ending as senior sub-editor with metropolitan daily, the Christchurch Press. Had to give that up to go touring with husband Martin as his "nave ears" when registering, but am not complaining in the least. Equally unsurpassable experiences and I count myself hugely fortunate. Just wish my tomatoes would ripen and that I could get a decent autumnal shot of the colours down in Queenstown right now...
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Dear members,
I'm new here but have thoroughly enjoyed reading many of your posts. I was directed to read the amusing incidents topic which was great and through that I discovered Adrian Taylor who has been most helpful by sending me some excellent tales that had me laughing out loud.
The reason I'm searching for organ stories is that I'm preparing a book for publication containing tales from the organ loft - or console -or at least something to do with the organ. Many of the tales already on this board are also about choirs - I think they would take a separate book, so at the moment I'm keeping it strictly to organs.
So far I have approached about 266 organists from around the world to contribute (and am still writing frantically). People who will be contributing include Christopher Herrick, Dame Gillian Weir, Massimo Nosetti, Roman Krasnovsky, Gordon Stewart, Hans Hielscher, Robert Ampt, Jennifer Bate, and a host of others.
But there are people like you and me who also have stunning stories from our organ lives that are too good to waste simply telling a narrow circle of friends over the dinner table. If anyone would like to tell me about them, do get in touch with me at book@nzorgan.com. Deadline for stories is July 31. No need to worry about the written English - that's my job! If you'd like more details go to nzorgan book stories - it has more about the project, lengths, what YOU get out of it and so on.
If you can come up with more like those on the funny incidents thread such as from MusingMuso and AJT, I'll be thrilled.
chirps from New Zealand,
Jenny
:lol: 
Can I have it?
oh yesssssssss!
... so don't hit me....
Hollins, Bonner And A Piano-organ Duet
in The Organ
Posted
Hi Peter,
thanks for the suggestion of David - uh-duh - I should have thought of that. I recall he did mention something like that when I wrote to him about my book.
Will let you know if I find something!
cheers
Jenny
PS : tried sending you a PM but your inbox is full - how nice to be so popular!!