gazman

Hi, We discussed on another thread the unashamedly popular theme of the recital I gave last month as part of the monthly series of organ concerts I give at one of my churches. The popular theme was successful, and brought in a number of people who wouldn't normally consider coming to an organ concert. Well, I'm going to try the same thing next month. In a frivolous moment I put in this month's programme something to the effect that "Next month's concert will be 'The Organist's Last Night of the Proms'. Bring along your Union flags to wave and something to make a noise." All well and good, but now I'm going to have to think of some suitable repertoire for next month's concert. I've got some ideas, but am sure there are going to be many more bright ideas from contributors to this forum. So, friends, what would you perform if you were in my shoes? Suggestions, please.....

And what a pity to have that case buried in the chancel behind a screen!

Shall we just say that it's in a rather lovely church in a town with a very distinguished maritime history?

I'd like to think so, but think that Nick's probably got it right!

You ought to try a certain three-decker Victorian tracker in this part of the world on which I tend to have to play for a concert once per year. Suffice to say I do plenty of weight-training in the gym to prepare myself for it! In fact, after a recital I gave there a few years back, a then pupil of mine asked if she could try the organ after everybody had left the building. Of course, said I. A couple of minutes later she came back and said that the organ wouldn't work. I went to the console with her - where I'd left both the Swell and the Choir coupled to the Great - and asked her to show me what she meant. She tried to play a chord on the Great and couldn't. Press harder, said I. She did, and a couple of the keys she was pressing slowly went down! It really is impossibly heavy.

About 18 years ago, as an organ-mad teenager, I used to be a very keen attendee at the summer series of organ recitals at Exeter. I used to think it a real privilege to hear some very fine international performers. But the one that stands out in my mind was the one given by SP. He just seemed to be almost in a different league entirely, and I remember being on cloud 9 for ages. I also recall colleagues (and my then teacher) declaring that they were going to give up playing the organ! I was just inspired to try and improve my game.... 18 years later, I'm still trying!

Tell that to those pianists who get flumoxed trying to use the pedals - especially in combination with the left hand. People like Jeremy Filsell and GW instantly spring to mind as being pretty awesome pianists too. There are a number of top organists who are able to handle advanced repertoire of both instruments.

Yes, indeed! But I'm not holding my breath......

Probably leave it as it is.... Ok, I'll stick my head above the parapet and risk accusations of double-standards by saying this but: petrol and a match?

I rather preferred your first one! And what's with this Orlos? Joking aside, yup, good spec. I'd be rather tempted by a one manual option in this instance, apart from the fact that it might be useful to have a second manual on which to solo out a melody. So perhaps your Orlos might go there!

But I thought we were discussing how we would design an organ for that church (where, as Nick says, its principal role would be to lead the congregation's singing) nowadays.....

That's an interesting observation. My first instinct was to say "How true!" and to nod in agreement. But I wonder if there's a grey area here.... Is musicianship something which is innate, or does one acquire it? I think that it is something which is a bit of both. I think it's easier to teach technique than musicianship - the difference, perhaps, between basic knowledge and understanding (or, perhaps, wisdom) - but I think that it is something which can be taught. I've certainly enjoyed teaching pupils whose musicianship has increased whilst their technique has improved. Musicianship tends to follow technique - if you're lucky!

I think you're quoting me out of context somewhat, Nick! Pierre suggested that that instrument would be capable of playing a lot of the literature. But, of course, it wouldn't be any good for any of the repertoire which requires a "proper" pedalboard! I don't think that the organ which Pierre cited would be terribly good for accompanying the choir or the congregation either. On the other hand, yes I do think that an organ of eight stops can do justice to Bach!

Yes, I gave up on it after the first couple of episodes. It seemed that if I a choir sang well, were in tune and decently dressed, the idiot judges didn't like them. I just couldn't take any more.

I thought it very entertaining. Interesting to see how the celebs were so wooden! Were there useful tips? I was surfing the net at the time, so must have missed them..... Why have you got an intravenous drip sticking out of your arm, my friend? I hope you're better soon. G.

But not much of the best of the organ's repertoire? Bach, Franck?

I may be imagining it, but didn't Dupré also arrange one of the Daquin Noels in that fashion too, with the peal of bells played on the pedals?

It's a hard life, ain't it!

I find that, for some inexplicable reason, it's the only sharp pencil on the console which falls down between the pedals, leaving all the blunt ones behind!

Mind you, you could have installed a Unison Off on the Swell - what a difference that would have made, and at what little cost!

Nah....he forgot the blunt pencils!

I rather doubt it!

Quite the opposite, I would think. Although the photo isn't quite clear enough to show the mouths clearly, I suspect that these are speaking pipes. The length of the pipes doesn't really come into the equation. They will have slots cut at the back for tuning purposes. Indeed, an organ in a neighbouring town here has a case which appears to be of very narrow scale 16ft pipes. However, when you go inside the instrument, you can see that these pipes are all slotted half way (and further) down, and are actually the bottom couple of octaves or so of the Great Open Diapason 8'

This is very good news indeed! I'll have to tune in.....