contraviolone

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Perhaps others may comment on the action, but the 32' front always appeared unique to me - enormous in its scale and impact. Any future creation must replicate this, otherwise it will disappoint.

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May I just say one thing on this topic. I would just like to see this once glorious instrument restored to its former glory. Marcel Dupre once said that the Ally Pally Organ was the finest Concert Organ in Europe. He referred in particular to the magnificient Swell mixtures, amongst others. Another famous Organist GTB also spoke in glowing terms with regard to this instrument. Well, I'm not old enough to say that I've heard it live, but the recordings speak for themselves. I only wish that everyone may work together to restore this instrument to its former glory, and provide a fantastic venue for Concert organ playing on a grand scale in North London.

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Talking of the removal of 32' flue pipes to make way for 'better' schemes, does anyone know what happened to the 32' in the Christ Church Cathedral Oxford 'makeover'?

The organ at Canterbury Cathedral has been discussed at length before in this Forum (in 2003 I think). Everyone concurred (including the host) that the situation at Canterbury is lamentable, even pathetic. It seems amazing doesn't it that in such a glorious and historic setting the Organ provision is at best puzzling. Yet just a short distance across the Channel in the diminuitive setting of the small and impoverished Parish Church of St Nicholas of Boulogne exists a classical French organ that puts a considerable percentage of organs in England (let alone Canterbury) to shame. And that's before you get to the even more impressive organ at St Omer! And we haven't arrived at Paris yet! Gloucester is a little different. We must excuse the English for their attempt to impersonate a French organ in England. To understand the latest sound at Gloucester you must understand the influence of David Briggs. The foundations of the Downes rebuild are still there but the rather neurotic attempt to imitate further the Cavaille Coll of Notre Dame de Paris (Pedal mutations amongst others) can be best excused as a personal essay in eccentricity. Gloucester is a fine example of an ex-incumbent 'Titulaire' expostulating his dreams writ large. Unfortunately, it doesn't work. Best to leave the English to do as they do best, and go and listen to French organs the way they are meant to be, in France!

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