pwhodges

My grand piano has its hammers pivoted on a long rigid wire they're threaded on to. It's the only piano action like it I've ever seen (Broadwood "Red Beam" action - made from about 1895 to 1905). In this case the wire is held in place by metal clamps between the hammers, so no long drilling is required. Paul

If I'm in doubt how to lubricate a joint, first I clean it thoroughly, which is sometimes (quite often, actually) all it needs, and then as a first attempt at actual lubrication I may use a light touch of dry graphite powder, as sold by locksmiths for instance. I won't put a wet or oily lubricant on anything important until I know it's the correct thing to use. And, as said above, WD40 is not a lubricant - it's for driving out moisture on metal parts, both for storage and to help ease jammed joints. Paul

I particularly like this recording of it: Paul

You've omitted the C_C in the Albert Hall, Sheffield - destroyed by fire in 1937 (the whole hall, that is). Paul

I tried it both ways and failed; I also tried just the reredos, but Google then decided I only wanted crosses... Paul

In times past it was a common simplification (easier to engrave, too), and these days it can be a harmless style thing. What's odd here is having 3 in one place and 2 2/3 elsewhere in the same instrument - that's either confused or perverse. Paul

I note that a spokesperson said "We confirm that the cathedral has never used non-disclosure agreements with its staff", in direct contravention to what we have previously been led to understand in this instance. Paul

But not in a single post! He was 36 years at York Minster as Organist and DoM, then Organist Emeritus for another 40 years! Paul Morgan did 41 years as Organist at Exeter before retiring. Paul

I remarked in another thread that I had found an English organist who had served for 64 years in Saffron Waldon, beating Widor's well-known 63-year tenure. This has just been substantially beaten: Christine Wells, of Hambledon near Henley, has just stepped down after 67 years of service. I imagine there are many other long times in a post that I have missed. Paul

I think that the idea is that respectful disagreement is part of a healthy discussion, which is the function of a forum in general. Paul

Looking up details of the organ, I find that an organist was appointed at Saffron Walden in 1820 at the age of 8; he then served 64 years until 1884 (and there's a record of him playing at the dedication of the rebuilt organ in 1885). This actually beats Widor's record of 63 years! Paul

I have processed the above to remove the wow, and made decent fades in and out. Just that makes it a lot more listenable. Note that there is effectively no bass - there is nothing below 50 Hz. https://cassland.org/sounds/Christ Church, Oxford old organ (Paul Morgan)/ Paul

The only solo recording of the old Willis/Harrison organ in Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford (apart from mine in the British Sound Archive, which even I cannot access) which I have been unable to get a copy of has popped up in the Archive of Recorded Organ Music on YouTube. Played by Paul Morgan while organ scholar there. Carillon - Herbert Murrill Larghetto in F sharp minor - S.S. Wesley Fugue in E flat ("St. Anne") - J.S. Bach Sadly, the transcription has a lot of wow, and the end of the Wesley is missing. (My recordings in the British Sound Archive are of Paul rehearsing for this release, and also some hymn accompaniments he recorded for a missionary to use in his church....) Paul

I note, however, the typical conflation of the organ with "the church organ". Admittedly, for most learners, that is still the most accessible to learn on (though it's now considerably easier to get a similar instrument at home, if there's room - and money - for a simple console), but focussing on one use of the instrument is sad, and could reduce interest from non-religious people. Paul

I'd expect reeds to be much less affected, because the abundant higher harmonics would hide deficiencies in the most affected fundamentals. Paul