timothyguntrip

Can anyone point me in the direction of the music for this piece? I think it was part of the St.Cecilia series by H.W. Gray. ​Swinnen was a Belgian, who was an organist at Antwerp Cathedral, before moving to the UK, and finally the USA where he was a noted liturgical and theatre organist. He was also organist-in-residence at the Longwood Gardens estate for over thirty years. ​Some of his music is available in reprints from Michael's Music Service, but I've hit a brick wall with the above. If anyone has an unwanted copy lying about, I'd be happy to give it a new home! ​Kind regards to all ​Tim

Noisy tourists are often a problem at Southwark Cathedral - in addition to the trains passing by! Tim

Not necessarily new publications, but I've just bought the Jean Berveiller Suite / Cadence, Alain Scherzo and the collection 'L'Orgue et la Danse'. And recently from ebay: Three Pieces (Betteridge) Rondo alla Campanella (Karg-Elert) Three Pieces (Willan) Pavane (Elmore) Toccata 'Now Thank We All Our God' (Hovland) The Cathedral Organist (if only for the wonderful Dearnley prelude on 'Dominus Regit Me') Quite enough to be going on with for a while. A keen collector of organ scores, my list of items to source finally seems to be getting gradually shorter. Tim

There is a small plaque on the organ at St.John's Church in Groombridge (just outside Tunbridge Wells) which reads: "Members of the congregation found interfering with this organ will be severely reprimanded and forbidden to practice with the choristers. Reverend T. Hardie Fallus, Rector of Brenton, November 1871". Some internet research has shown that quite a few of these plaques exist here and there, although some people have taken this a bit seriously, such as here. Tim

I too would be interested in looking at this. There's a nice recording of this work from Exeter Cathedral by Paul Morgan. Tim

Of course, there were four titulaires at NDdeP - until the unfortunate demise of Yves Devernay many years ago. Timothy

There's a great transcription of Smetana's 'Vltava' too. Timothy Guntrip

I have four 'Nimrod's here at home - William Harris, Noel Rawsthorne, Colin Hand, Adrian Self - and only the Imperial March, as you mention, by G. C. Martin. I think it probably is a misprint! Tim

I think this piece is one of the Four Short Pieces (also included in the Novello Funeral Album). Tim

A friend of mine is the organist at this church - and has reliably informed me that the organ has been completely destroyed. Timothy

It is interesting to note, however, that two of the applicants on the shortlist are not of French nationality (although have clearly been schooled in the French tradition). Presumably only one of the above will be nominated (alongside Vincent Crosnier / Yanka Hekimova?) - or are they starting afresh with a new group of three titulaires? Indeed, not so long ago it seemed there were about four co-organists in addition to M. Guillou. Whilst salaries of UK cathedral organists are of fairly widespread knowledge, those of their French counterparts seem to remain a mystery. I am yet to discover what kind of remuneration an applicant can expect in the case of positions such as this. VA

Since some of the Saint Cecilia series are being reissued by Alfred Music Publishing - mostly notably the Edmundson VHH recently - I shall perhaps suggest they consider this one for reprint! VA

Having managed to find the contents of the above collection, Colin - I fear the piece in question may not be contained therein. I have pinned it down to being in the AGO 90th Anniversary Anthology of American Organ Music - the cheapest of which is on sale secondhand at just over £70! However, I do think it was published separately under the St. Cecilia Series. Not willing to part with such money for one piece, I think it is one I shall be have to be content to be without for a while! Many thanks VA

Is anyone able to point me to where this might be available from? I believe it was published in an anthology by the American Guild of Organists quite some time ago, now long unavailable. There seem to be quite a few performances online, so surely it can't be that elusive? It's quite a compelling piece of music. I confess to never having come across any of Wyton's music before. Quite a few choral items are available from Paraclete Press, but I can find little online regarding his output for organ. Best regards VA

I had noticed this site was down as well - and it still isn't working for me. Tim

Also worth looking at are the less well-known Four Pieces by Cocker. The first three (Angelus, Trio, Interlude) make excellent quiet voluntaries and the final Paean a very exuberant sortie. They are easier than the Tuba Tune, but not without their challenges. Aside from the other Whitlock pieces mentioned above, another is the Exultemus from the Seven Sketches - plenty of tuba blasts in there. VA

Completely in agreement with Malcolm. VA

I noticed on a recent YouTube video that an electronic was being used. What a great shame that it may not be reinstated. It seemed in fairly fine condition when I played it (circa 2008). EDIT: Just seen post by Vox Humana - sounds like there is hope then! I wonder where in the building they would move it to.

I can quite understand the reasoning behind organ playing visits / practice being limited to certain hours in our cathedrals / busier churches -for all the reasons noted above already, so I shan't repeat what others have already said. In any event, there are often so many beautiful quieter combinations which can be enjoyed without being obtrusive to those who wish to pray, conduct tours, etc. Although I haven't played that many major instruments in the UK (having spent a great deal of my life abroad), I could cite Buckfast Abbey as an example of an organ I have played where this is the case, which has a vast variety of softer tonal colours. I was unable to explore them all within the time available, but found it more satisfying than blasting away on the full organ for the entire visit (although the tutti at Buckfast is pretty thrilling). As for my 'own' instrument, I am lucky that I am presently DOM of a fairly rural parish church which doesn't get many visitors at all and has little going on during opening hours - so there is no issue of disturbing anyone. Although it is not an instrument of any great repute, I leave the console unlocked for anyone who may wish to play it (anyone passing through East Sussex is most welcome!). Finally - Cocker Tuba Tune. I've never stuck at this one long enough to learn it all the way through, and don't currently have a Tuba or equivalent at my disposal to really bring it off well. However, as Simon Johnson mentions on his narration of this piece on the St. Paul's DVD, keeping the body compact and relaxed makes it a great deal easier. There is another section of this piece which stumps me, but being on holiday without a score and at risk of going off-topic, I shall save it for later (perhaps a separate thread for awkward 'hit brick wall' sections of pieces to exchange advice?). Best regards to all VA.

Many thanks, Colin. I'll give that a try. Tim

I will be spending a week in Cornwall from the coming Friday, and looking for an instrument to practice on once or twice during that time - in preparation for something the following week. I'm ideally looking for somewhere in the Rock / Padstow / Wadebridge area. Would anyone know of any approachable churches / titulaires who might be gracious in granting me a couple of hours practice time during the week? Best wishes to all. VA

(Late) Easter greetings to you too, Philip (and all other contributors, of course). Our Easter services went exceptionally smoothly. Finished with Cochereau Sortie on 'Haec Dies' on Easter Sunday - everything else was pretty much similar to last year. I have the score to the Lanquetuit but have never mustered up the strength to learn it - one for a rainy day, perhaps... VA

I accompanied this work this time last year on this instrument. The Swell 8ft tone coupled to the Great Dulciana was a combination I used frequently. The variety of 8ft tone on the Great was also invaluable. The lack of registration aids/registrant however was slightly more problematic! VA

Many thanks for your interesting responses. It would seem the case that many of the Parisian posts are rather poorly paid. Although I don't have many 'official' figures, from what I've gleaned in the past, there would be little left after travel expenses! Perhaps such positions are sought after for their prestigious (rather than remunerative) benefits? VA

The other day I noticed that one of the organists at Sacre-Coeur de Montmartre also holds a post as titulaire in Lyon. Whilst taking into consideration that the post at SC is shared between three organists, it seems strange to me to hold two concurrent posts at such a distance apart (about 4 hours drive!). On further investigation, I've found other examples of organists holding multiple posts which are similarly spaced apart. I have never heard of such an arrangement here in the UK. Could anyone here who is more au-fait with the French organ world than myself enlighten me? VA