JJK

Heritage Pipe Organs - Bernie Whitmill - I believe. They used the HNB name for a while, but I haven't seen anything recently. I think they may have recently relocated to Devon (from Surrey) JJK

I can assure you that most of the pieces recorded on the five priory discs have been sung by the Collegiate Singers at Westminster Abbey - some of them more than once. I know - I was there, singing! JJK

Wasn't he at Westminster Abbey in between? And I've an idea he left there for Guernsey. JJK

Yes indeed - although I didn't want to revisit that little episode! JJK

Yes of course I'm away on business - actually sorry to be missing Advent Sunday - all my favourite hymns

Last Sunday morning: Before: Bach Pastorale Communion: Durufle Chant Donne (courtesy of recommendation on this board from the lamented Mr Farr) After: Bach C Major Prelude (the short one - can't remember if it is BWV531 or 545) Next Sunday: Having it off

Ah, we're back! I've missed it, but it does seem that I managed to get a lot more work done the last few days! JJK

Yes but.... if you spend time setting up a long piece, then want to insert an extra registration change, it takes forever to reprogramme all the settings after the change (ie advance them by one). This is enough to stop me using it. Unless of course the software allows you to easily insert a new setting and shuffle everything along bu one - but the ones I've tried don't do that.... JJK

Same here - I only use toe pistons as a last resort, if it is physically impossible to reach a thumb piston. And both of my organs have a decent range of (unused) toe pistons. JJK

This is one of my favourite sites, about my almost favourite organ http://www.stsulpice.com/ JJK

Thank you David - it's been intriguing me. And yes, it's very nice!

http://www.willis-organs.com/news01.html Look at the 4 manual console on this page. I would love to know who has it in their house. All that ivory! And what is it connected to??? JJK

Last time I was at evensong at Liverpool, Ian Tracey played and the organ scholar conducted - and I'm told that is not unusual there. Also, I seem to remember that Christopher Dearnley used to play rather than conduct at St Pauls. JJK

I too am pleased to hear of a positive experience of the RCO. The first I have heard for quite some time! The RCO website states its purpose as follows: "Today, the College is a multi-faceted membership organisation whose professional and educational work is aimed at all who have interests in the organ and choral music. " Now maybe there are certain segments of membership the college is serving in a fine way - but I have heard so many complaints from so many people over the last few years that I cannot believe the college is effectively serving its broader membership. Communications are particularly poor, and whatever the reality, the impression is given that the views of subscribing members are not important. If the college gave up the pretence of appealing to such a broad audience, and for instance simply asked me for £68 each year to support organ outreach for youngsters, then I would actually be happier about paying it! JJK

I think you are right. I don't really like the uncertainty, and at times - particularly in early days of DAB - I heard some horribly compressed sounds from R3. I think it may have improved - but one is always at the mercy of whoever makes the decision. JJK

I suspect that freeview offers generally better sound that DAB, where I understand that varying degress of compression may be applied. Analogue FM still seems the best, where there is a decent signal strength. JJK

Well really! I think this reply is rather reflects the arrogance and out-of-touch behaviour to which many on this board have referred. As a current member, paying what I regard as a very high subscription, I find this very insulting. Perhaps, as a "trustee", you could have considered answering some of the other points that have been raised - a lot of people seem to have genuine and heartfelt concerns about what is going on at the RCO. Meanwhile, I shall follow your suggestion about resignation. JJK

My cumulative order of preference for swell reeds would be: 8 Trumpet, 8 Oboe, 16 Trumpet, 4 Clarion, 8 Vox Humana But maybe this is boringly conventional - and I guess it would depend on the rest of the organ and the building. My current organ has a 16 Fagotto with quarter-length basses as the only swell reed. In fact the only reed at all. Strange! Full swell is an odd sounding growl unless the octave coupler is used, at which point the mixture starts screeching. JJK

Sorry - I meant phoenix, makin and wyvern

David, now that you're a toaster convert , an interesting comparison would be between a custom makin/wyvern/phoenix and a C-H. The former could be specified with decent keyboards (wood-core, like the C-H) and proper sound systems, and the price would still be well below C-H - sampling technology is inherently cheaper, especially now with low memory prices allowing storage of vast amounts of data. As far as mixtures go, I am convinced that the important factor is the ability to adjust individual notes of individual ranks for volume and tuning . Not every system allows this. JJK

I think the C-H instrument was 1999. Are you comparing the Sheffield C-H with the Sheffield phoenix, or comparing C-H and Phoenix in general? I heard the C-H on a couple of broadcasts and was very unimpressed - but I haven't heard the Phoenix. JJK

Sheffield Cathedral

We obtained it from the RSCM - with great difficulty. They seemed to hold virtually no stock, and when it did arrive some of the printing on some copies was illegible. JJK

The 5m central space console has certainly gone - although the oak enclosure is still there and used as a cupboard. There must have been a lot of nice ivory in it! JJK

Michael Woodward recorded this organ in the 1980s on vinyl - I have a copy somewhere, but owing to building work it is in storage I think the organist was Robert Ampt, but I can't remember the programme - but I do remember it was a very fine recording. Priory are currently re-issuing the Woodward recordings on CD - they haven't yet got to this one, but hopefully soon...... JJK