timothyguntrip

Probably not of much use to contraposaune owing to location, but Foyles in London appear to have two copies in stock. VA

I was searching for the Edmundson piece a couple of years ago - when two board members very kindly sent me copies of the work - what a wonderful place this board is! I'll certainly be giving this one an outing this coming Christmas at the end of our own service of lessons and carols. Isn't it about time this work was brought back into print? It seems to be quite in demand, and I can think of plenty of pieces which remain in print despite comparatively low popularity. With regard to the voluntary suggestions, 'Carillon Orleanais' by Henri Nibelle might be a good little number - starts quietly but builds to an impressive climax (in addition to his other carillon-type piece I mentioned earlier in this thread).

The Dupre is not too taxing as others have mentioned and while it is probably included in other Christmas anthologies, it is well worth getting the whole set of the 79 Chorales. Although most of them are too short for inclusion in church services, they are great for study. The Langlais is a beautiful work - quite straightforward, except perhaps the writing in the final section which requires some rather large stretches, but worth the effort. I give both an airing during the Christmas season here.

The 'Celebrated French Toccatas' collection by Cramer also has quite a few misprints in it. For my usual wedding fodder, I usually play from the aforementioned Oxford Book of Wedding Music, and also The Essential Organist (Mayhew) which has quite a lot of the usual wedding fayre. It also has the Rawsthorne Londonderry Air in it too.

Interesting topic. Here's a few which I've churned out recently (sorry if duplicate any!): Camilleri: Wine of Peace Handel: Largo from Xerxes Bach/Brahms: Schumucke Dich, O Liebe Seele Peeters: Aria Barie: Lamento (from Trois Pieces) Guilmant: Chant Elegiaque

West Point Chapel in the States has a similar 'harmonic' division, I believe, although I'm not sure how it compares in relation to this proposal.

Thanks to all with regards to suggestions for the Knightsbridge March! VA

I've come across a fair amount of Mathias' organ music before, although confess to only having ever played a couple out of the Organ Album, as well as the aforementioned Fanfare. I've got the Berceuse on a recording (James Lancelot at Durham) and the description given by Peter is most apt - 'Berceuse' seems a bit of a misnomer! His music seems to have been lambasted somewhat, but like many others here, I find a lot of his music very approachable and listener-friendly. The Recessional in particular would seem a great piece to open a recital with. VA

Many apologies to Peter for hijacking his Gershwin thread - I've a similar transcription request... After hearing a Youtube video recently of Colin Walsh playing Coates' Knightsbridge March, I'd love to know if an actual printed transcription exists. Robert Sharpe has recorded it at Lichfield as well but it seems to be slightly different from the aforementioned version, so I'm not sure whether they made their own respective transcriptions! I'd be grateful to anyone who can point me in the right direction. VA

Yes, the electronic one there is rather uninspiring, having played it. The pipe organ that was originally there stood in the left hand corner, with the detached console opposite, where the present electronic instrument is. I can only guess that they got fed up with maintaining and decided to scrap it. I'd be interested to know where it ended up, though.

Beckenham Crematorium originally had one of those extension organs (from what I can remember) - it was certainly there in around 2000. I went to a funeral there roughly two years ago and it had been scrapped and replaced with a toaster.

What Peter has described is a terribly annoying habit, and not something I would ever dream of doing when playing on another's instrument. Thankfully, in my own church, each organist has his own channel, and there is a separate channel for visiting organists, so I do not find my combinations have been changed. I've come across some very interesting combinations saved on other organs I've played here on the island - including Voix Celestes and Contra Fagotto - each to their own I suppose! VA

Stephen beat me to it - indeed that is the volume I have. It has quite a thorough critical commentary at the beginning, as well as details of the pieces themselves. However, that is a very grand cover - mine is a 'special order edition' with the typical blue cover.

Thanks for this suggestion, Malcolm - one of the pieces I've never ventured into from that book yet. I'll take a look at it this evening.

The Introduction and Fugue in C sharp minor is a fine work - rather fiddly in places. I have a Novello edition edited by Robin Langley which includes a number of Andantes (F, Em, A, G, C), the famous Holsworthy Church Bells, and the aforementioned Larghetto and Introduction and Fugue. I got it from Musicroom.com for a cheap price. I'm sure there would be something in there you're looking for. VA

I play the 'Aria' and the 'Lied to the Flowers' movement of his Lied-Symphony. I hope to learn the rest of it one day when time permits!

I have been following this thread with great interest. I play for two churches - one Roman Catholic and one Methodist. The Roman Catholic church in question does not pay organists for their services, and probably would not be too pleased if any hint concerning payment was even suggested! Very often, a lot of Catholic churches over here claim that they simply do not have the funds to pay an organist. This is of course completely untrue, especially when one considers that in your average Maltese church there are roughly five or six masses every day - all bringing in a fairly princely sum from the offertory. However, having said this, they are always most grateful for the services offered. On the other hand, the Methodist church here, whose income appears to be considerably smaller, are always very willing where remuneration is concerned, and also very willing to discuss fees with the organist where funerals and weddings are concerned, and negotiate with other parties on the organists' behalf. VA

Doesn't work on mine either - strange, as the Sibelius Music website works fine otherwise.

Such a 'reluctant organists' course would be a fabulous idea over here - where a fair number of those in the post are actually pianists. As mentioned before, a focus on hymn playing, registration, wedding and funeral music, and the suchlike would be quite informative to those who wish to gain a broader impression of what is involved in organ playing.

If I remember correctly, there is also a recording by Ian Tracey available to download for free on the Makin Organs website. I believe accompaniment was on Swell strings, with melody alternating between Great Flute and Choir Clarinet. VA

Indeed, regarding the Valletta instrument, it would seem strange - the case, perhaps would have been part of the instrument that Handel supposedly played, but I had thought that the majority of the pipework inside is from a 1949 Hill, Norman and Beard!

The organ at the Anglican Cathedral is soon to undergo a full restoration - some info here I believe the work will be undertaken by David Wells, if I remember correctly. Regarding the Rothwell, I was unable to find any information on the NPOR, but will try to get a specification to post.

I thought some of the other contributors might be interested to take a look at the following feature in today's Times of Malta - concerning a Rothwell organ which is undergoing a full restoration at present: Link to Article Originally located in a church in Burnt Oak, London, it was moved here in 1982 - perhaps one of you might be familiar with it? It has those typical Rothwell stop keys, but not located above each corresponding manual which I've seen in some of his other instruments. This is wonderful news to read in a country where organs and organ music in general are not particularly appreciated. VA

For some useful (although a little cheesy at moments) pieces, the Bossi works are quite good - I have both the Peters collections which are listed there, and find some of the works of great use. The Camilleri 'Wine of Peace' is worth it - from our only renowned national composer! Very relaxing and easy to play. From what I remember, you need a high pedal F sharp at the end - strange, as I cannot think of a single instrument here which has such a compass. Ibert's Trois Pieces are quite interesting, good as a suite for a recital. Langlais Seven Etudes for Pedal Solo are quite fun too. I've never ordered anything from this catalogue as of yet, but always check back to see if any of the pieces from my 'elusive works' list appear there!

The 'Pastorale' from the First Sonata is also rather pleasant. The Third is quite dramatic, and fairly straightforward to play - makes a good work to learn for recitals. Anyone interested in finding some more of Guilmant's works which are off the beaten track - go to www.guilmant.nl, go to 'Works', and then 'Downloads' - there are some rather rare works, which are now out of print. VA