philipmgwright

A M Henderson was Organist and Choirmaster to Glasgow University 1906 - 1954 , Lecturer of the History and Practice of Church Music He was an active recitalist both in Britain ,France and Germany - he edited a large quantity of piano,organ and choral music His publication “Musical Memories” 1938 highlights the many virtuosos he encountered during his career

Just to add Compton ,when rebuilding the organ ,installed one of their luminous stop consoles, which was mobile and located on the stage usually with the player sitting with his back to the instrument. Memory has the console being very compact with rounded ends. Fernando Germani opened it April 1951 as guest of Norman Strafford - Organist, Holy Trinity,Hull

This brochure c1905 currently on ebay shows photographs of 1870 Willis ,its 1903 replacement after the fire and the N&B 1905 A 1905 console shot shows the unusual mini Drawstops for the Echo organ. Although pricey , it may be of interest to forum readers

Tony The book is called Wilkinson & Sons Organ Builders Kendal Published in 2016 Author Alan Mason. 01539 739822 info from Westmorland Gazette

Rowland Wateridge’s mention of the Organista door reminded me when as a schoolboy I met Dr Dykes Bower as he was exiting that door...a polite but timid request to view the console was granted immediately with full close up inspection granted. Memories of those elaborate bronze jamb panels on five manuals still remain today- in those times Valentines did a console postcard - now a treasured memento of meeting a gracious generous musician who found time to share with a young organ enthusiast from Aberdeen.

As detailed in Alan Buchan’s excellent book Organs in Scotland Stonehaven Mackie Academy Ingram 3 manual ex3 from house of Dr Mackie ( original school) to later school and to here by John Fraser Rector, rebuilt by technical dept with help of David Loosley Organ Builder 3/18 ex3

Quite a few Willis JDP organs came to Scotland largely through the excellent Scottish Manager Ian Frost based in Edinburgh Pleasance Works. I believe the tilting tablets were standard Willis economy console but the illumination was a rear number plate lamp from a Morris Minor or similar!

This arpeggiate downwards was a feature adopted by Herrick Bunney ,Master of the Music St Giles Cathedral Edinburgh to compensate for the lack of St Giles’ resonance

Accurate but a trifle harsh.. the Organ House was designed by Pugin the younger. in Allbutt’s words “ it was a pleasant building in chalet style,large enough to seat some eight hundred people...built of mainly wooden framing,protected by slates and panelled within with fine white woods its acoustic properties proved to be sympathetic with the music”

Edward Violette ,regarded as the finest pipemaker in London , died in 1867 at tragically early age of 45 He operated from Camden I understand He knew Henry Willis and was a contemporary age wise This snippets I have gleaned from the British Newspaper Archive His business was bought by Brindley and moved to Sheffield No doubt the long awaited book on Brindley by Bryan Hughes will expand on this. I understand it is being sent out to subscribers this month.

A well travelled Kingsgate Davidson https://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=P00538 built for London Residence 1960s moved to St Leonard’s In the Field Perth moved to Simon Langton School Canterbury moved to Petts Wood

Ralph Downes Baroque Tricks refers warmly to Reginald W Davidson “ my ever faithful friend” in connection with Oratory p58-64 assisting RD “to attain his tonal ideals”. Kingsgate Davidson took over the maintenance of the Oratory organ from 1944

“bravado of the bumptious upstart” ..what a delightful phrase which paints such a vivid picture! I am led to believe the author is the last pupil apprentice of HW III May I persuade him to share first hand some personal experiences of HW III before the sands of time obliterate the fine detail and we rely on anecdote alone?

Looking at the year 1961/62 and it saying Compton , Liverpool,is it not more likely to be an item from Rushworth & Dreaper that arrived in this Chapel in America rather than a Compton export?

The Organ October 1947 Boosey & Hawkes ad The Hammond Organ - a typical setting for the War Memorial that LIVES ” the control of volume is as effective as its softest as in the majesty of its heavier tonal possibilities when used to fill a larger building such as Canterbury Cathedral - as indeed it does”