bombarde32

This is about as ergonomically satisfying as having a Nigerian Dwarf Goat secured with Velcro to the side of a console, in order that it may act as a page-turner.[/font] I had that particular page-turner for a recital once - I can't remember where, but, by goodness she was ugly - Oh, and as mad as a box of frogs!

I presume from this that you would wish to ditch Howells generally. In my experience, I have found that the Psalm Preludes programme well, especially when the reference is written in the recital leaflet, or, even better, quoted by the recitalist in a spoken interlude. This can communicate something extra to an ecletic audience. Can I ask why you have an avoidance of Howells. Is it because you don't like the organ music, the composer's output generally, or for some other reason?

Mentioning the Germani recordings at Selby, brings me to remember the profoud effect of the 32' reed in the Widor. I first heard the sound as a nine year old on a relatively 'cheap' philips hi-fi which my dad had. The 32' nearly lifted the entire thing into orbit. I knew nothing about organs, but I did know that this reed was an impressive noise!

........I learnt on a Willis infinte speed and gradation Swell and Choir equipped organ. I have to say that like driving a car with the indicators on the 'wrong' side, it was the bane of my examinations. You just never knew exactly how much sound would come out! .......I thought that a Larigot was usually found at 1-1/3' pitch.......... I think that one of the BB tasks should be play the Willian Passacaglia, note perfect and a fail in the task would result in Jo Brand having to sit on Nigel Ogden's head. THAT should do the organ world a favour!

HOW DARE YOU!! We have two Skodas (a Fabia VRS and a MK II Octavia estate) and I am more than happy to run around in either car, in preference to a Jag., thank you very much!

I would not agree to a position if there were not a contract. As some of you will know after my skiing accident, I have not been in regular attendance at my usual D of M position. The stupid PP tried to suspend me (as being unfit - Ha Ha, but that's another story ) but I quietly pointed to the contract which gave a provision for sickness pay, and after he said that it wasn't really a contract, I threatened him/the diocese with court action - That was the end of that - I still have a job and am still getting paid! THAT is why you all need some contract of letter of agreement between you and your churches.

More like a lack of an evening mass/evensong to play for and, turning to the television what did we find? -- Ahhhhhhh, Big Brother!

You are entitled to your 'bench fee' if you are able and willing to play for a wedding but the B&G prefer to engage some other organist. Your clergy should be sympathetic here, and furthermore, a bad organist can ruin your reputation. I can here it now...... "I went to a weddding at such-and-such church the other day - the organist was absolutely CRAP!" You have your reputation to protect, never mind your income, and the security of the instrument in your charge (whatever it may be) SO PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN and insist on nothing less! I have a situation coming up similar to the above. The only difference is that the ORGAN is owned by myself, and I have an agreement with the church in which it is situated about visiting organists for weddings etc. Basically unless they pay for my time to vet the visiting organist and a fee for the use of the instument, they get the piano. End of...

You are entitled to your 'bench fee' if you are able and willing to play for a wedding but the B&G prefer to engage some other organist. Your clergy should be sympathetic here, and furthermore, a bad organist can ruin your reputation. I can here it now...... "I went to a weddding at such-and-such chrurch the other day - the organist was absolutely CRAP!" You have your reputation to protect, never mind your income, and the security of the instrument in your charge (whatever it may be) SO PUT YOUR FOOT DOWN and insist on nothing less! I have a situation coming up similar to the above. The only difference is that the ORGAN is owned by myself, and I have an agreement with the church in which it is situated about visiting organists for weddings etc. Basically unless they pay for my time to vet the visiting organist and a fee for the use of the instument, they get the piano. End of...

I agree. Now, about my tomato plants........

Very good luck for a speedy recovery. I was skiied into by a large lady in February this year. She succeeded in rupturing my collateral knee ligament and severing my Anterior Cruciate Ligament. The (private) surgeon would not countenance repairing the cruciate ligament until the collateral ligament was well and truly healed. I had surgery on the ACL two weeks ago and at last I am able to play reasonably well. I will not be fully fit for another six-eight months! I feel for you, because I know what you are going through first hand!

When I worked as a keyboard player in Theatreland, (well before all this online nonsence!) we used to photocopy the crosswords and distribute them about the orchestra/band. The first section to complete it didn't have to pay for a beer afterwards in the pub. The crosswords were randomly selected from a dozen or so publications - not always British English publications - and not always newspapers, to add a certain vagary into the finishing process. Then we took bets as to who was going to finish first....... Our minds were always on the job, of course

Gives me all the confidence in the world - especially in the light of the current terrorist threats!

Are you replacing it with anything or just getting shut? Just interested! .....Yeh, I know, tell me to mind my own business!!

Especially when they have a nasty half length bass (as they nearly all do) and they are directly behind a good-sized Swell Open, stuffed up against the back wall of the box. ....oh, we always tune on the springs, said the organ tuner. Like hell he did!

HELLS BELLS and I've only just renewed my subs to the "Telegraph". Don't tell me I've got to get the "Times" as well! I can't get through one 'broadsheet' a day, let alone two! Darn it!

It bloody nigh impossible to get the church authorities to pay a decent amount for ONE organist, so I can't see them paying out 20 or so times that every Sunday to a bunch of string players. I've never heard such nonsence! Pah!

The old organ at a certain cathedral at which I was organist for a while had the annoying habit of playing the low d# on the pedal Trombone whenever middle G# on the choir was played - but only with the 2' flute on. Oh, and the fact that it only happened once in a blue moon made it even more perplexing! It had one of those stupid mobile consoles, which always caused problems just after it was moved! Nobody ever fixed this one and the fault disappeared only when the entire instrument was consigned, belching and farting, (at least the trombone did) to the skip.

Hurrah - nice to be back! Hi there, everybody! Hope you're all well!

He will have much fun, I'm sure! I can see the crescendos in the Fauré now! Oh, the flapping of those brustwerke doors!

Most organists, myself included, are not able to obtain or afford the latest or most correct or learned editions of organ works, and we are frequently pulled up by others for 'falling into the trap' of playing wrong notes because of the edition from which we are performing. I am often not fully aware of these pitfalls, and would like to start a discussion of these 'errors', in the hope that others far more learned than I could point out the worst offenders! Any takers?

There is an Pedal Ophicleide 16' mounted 'en Chamade' on the organ in Southampton which I play regularly. The pipes are laid horizontally on top of the Swell box, projecting their sound straight down the church - it is a West End Installation. It is obsenely loud, and only useable with a VERY full organ!

Dr Francis Jackson gave the first organ recital which I ever attended as a small boy. It was part of the Emery Recital series given in Salisbury Cathedral. It made a profound impact on me at the age of eight, for it was at this recital that I decided that I wanted to be a professional organist. I have been for the last 25 years, and I would go so far as to say that I owe Francis Jackson my career and, frankly, all that I have achieved.

That's as maybe, Colin, but we see little effort payed to the organ - and little concert programming on it either! Every time I have played it there has been a serious fault with it. The last time was the Haupt. Principal 8' which just didn't work. Fat lot of good when there is so little else (Rohrflote and Gamba) from which to choose! The last big choral concert in there had a toaster shipped in!

Videos at weddings - now this is the subject of an bi-annual ongoing battle I have with my Parish Priest. He says I charge too much. I explain the copyright and performing rights rules to him with regard to vidoe recordings. He refuses to understand, because he is a berk! I have found for the most part that it is almost impossible to invoke an extra charge for this retrospectively. My wedding fee is realistic enough to incorporates a video charge on all occasions. I can't remember the last time I had to give a refund because there were no video cameras in use at the wedding at all.