philipmgwright

What a delightful article by John Birch..eloquent,humorous and highly informative. Thanks Martin for sharing it with the forum

Please at this late stage in this thread is anyone able to share the specification of these two -seemingly identical Willis Junior Development Plan organs - both spiral pipe layout? NPOR is unsually reticent in describing it as presumably a two manual and pedal from the closed console photograph. Willis removed the 1887 the 3/25 Father Willis (ex Gartshore House) when the Lutyens design of St Martin’s was extended westwards in 1964 and then replaced it with this pair of visually interesting organs located on either side of the chancel.

I am glad the “White Knight” has arrived from Kent. Many thanks to Stephen Bayley stepping up...you can hear the pleasure in JPM’s posting announcing the news Lets hope the Discussion Board founded by JPM maintains its authoritive stance and is supported by members both longstanding and new comers. Onwards and upwards!

I am with S_L on this one..a little too much rush to create a substitute that does not in my opinion quite reflect the unique position the Mander Forum has/had . Since there was no appetite from other organ builders to take it over, its time is over. Just like Rotunda the Mander Forum was a snapshot in time. Good wishes to all Stay safe in these troublesome times

Malvern certainly does ..having contributed to the forum.

Am I alone in being surprised that there is no white knight riding from Durham or Malvern to come to the aid of the forum? ..if the stated costs are believable

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”