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madorganist

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Posts posted by madorganist

  1. Whilst not strictly on the theme of unusual musical requests, I have played for a couple of funerals where the local Constabulary was out in force.

    In one case it was the funeral of “ The Chief Executive” of a mobile tarmacking firm. The precession to the cemetery being escorted front and rear by tarmac wagons – with several police cars at a discrete distance .

    In another, the sons of the deceased had to sit on opposite sides of the church in case things kicked off. Both sons being heavily restrained, handcuffed to two officers each and completely surrounded by members of prison staff and the local constabulary.

    Playing for a wedding at a packed church, people standing round the console and other leaning against it, I overheard one young lady say to her intended “ When we get married we aint ‘avvin no ‘imms, cos no-one heffing sings ’em” – charming !

  2. I’ve been fortunate enough to hear some amazing organists over the years : GTB, Jackson, Alain, Langlais, Kynaston et al.

    Some of these performances have been amazing and fully deserving a ten out of ten score. Nathan Laube’s  recital to mark the rebuilding of the Canterbury Cathedral organ was a clear eleven (it can be found on YouTube).

  3. Somewhere out in the ether ( maybe in the depths of this forum ? ) a dissertation can be found which chronicles the demise of R&D. The author appears to have had remarkable  access to various individuals, accounts and company records. 

    My recollection of the conclusion was that the organ building side of the business was turning a profit, whilst everything else was haemorrhaging   money. The organ building part of the business was effectively bled dry , with the (one of?) final death knell being the loss of a major contract in Italy (?)

  4. 57 minutes ago, Martin Cooke said:

    I don't know Guildford Cathedral at all other than from a very hasty visit 30/40 years ago. But it's very much on my list of places to visit. What has changed about the acoustic in recent times?

    Probably removing all the asbestos laden plaster.

  5. The much delayed opening recital was last night.

    I thought the organ sounded quite different to its previous incarnation. Previously I would have used words such as cold and steely to describe the tone - not any more! I think re-siting the pipe work away from the vertiginous edge of the triforium arches has allowed some warmth to appear in the tone.

    The new Double Open Wood is quite remarkable along with the re-pressurized  Contra Posaune. The Tubas have migrated east and have their own enclosure which I think has slightly tamed their previously ear splitting sound.

    If you have some free time do  listen to the YouTube stream from last night, it really was very, very good.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zeF74Dq8v7w

  6. I must say that I preferred the HN&B console to the new Jones console.

    Interestingly when the restoration project first surfaced the work was supposed to be going to David Wells - this information was in the public domain. And then "mysteriously" went to Jones.

  7. Not at a recital, but one Sunday morning - just in the corner of my eye, I was aware of being watched. A mildly disconcerting feeling !

    It transpired that "Frank" , a large greyhound, regularly attends church with his owners. His fascination with the organ, or perhaps my playing, quickly waned and he curled up behind the console and snoozed for the rest of the service. 

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