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Graham Powell

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Everything posted by Graham Powell

  1. I'm sure Jonathan is right, in that the new publication probably does appeal to (and inspires) those in the university/music college/professional musician orbit. But what about the many other organists (the majority perhaps?), who earn their living principally outside the world of music, who have little interest in academic research, and who play simply for the enjoyment it brings them? Surely the new OR should cater for them too? How about a "quarterly organ lesson" in the magazine, rather like those by Anne Marsden Thomas in Church Music Quarterly. Matters of fingering and registration pitched at a level designed to encourage them to play and dig deeper is surely better than simply adopting an editorial stance which may well have the (unintentional) effect of putting them off reading OR altogether. Where are they catered for in the new publication? On digging my November edition out of the recycling bin, I note that it contains an article on baroque articulation, another on articulation and fingering in early music, another on the organ music of Byrd, Gibbons and Tomkins, with yet more advice on fingering, articulation and interpretation. Then I note an interview with Anne Page, followed - immediately - by an interview with David Goode. Interesting enough in their own right, but surely not all in the same edition? Whatever happened to variety? A stodgier diet I cannot imagine. Perhaps those of us disenchanted with the new style could start our own publication? "Not the OR" perhaps............... Graham
  2. I think this last paragraph hits the nail on the head - it was a great read, and I would often go back to it days, weeks and even months later. The last two copies have already gone into the recycling bin, and for this at least, my wife sends her warmest thanks to the new team. Graham
  3. The GO at St Paul's originally contained two Principals (I & II in fact! ). The Claribel Flute was added in 1993/4, and replaced the Principal II. I believe the Quint 5 1/3' is still there. Graham
  4. (continued) I agree that there is a place for a more academic style, I'm not sure that OR is that place. It's a long time since I studied music as an academic subject, and these days my interest in the subject is mainly confined to playing the organ and learning about its history. The new editorial team seem to be sailing into much deeper waters, and I fear that I'll soon be out of my depth. Come on OR, give us something that will make us smile! Graham
  5. I have to admit I've been very disappointed by the new OR. The front covers of the new-look magazine seem to be missing the point (well, for me at least), with no organ having been pictured on either edition. The photography which used to feature on the front page was always one of the most attractive features of the old OR. The interior of Coventry Cathedral and the exterior of the Tower of London are breathtaking of course, but they're not sufficiently interesting for this OD sufferer. Bring back the pipework! I hope the current shift towards a more "weighty" tome is temporary. The new OR feels dry and humourless, and
  6. The Preston complete Bach is currently available on eBay - opening bid £34. Shown as new and sealed. Have a look at http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Bach-Organ-Works-14C...1QQcmdZViewItem Hope this helps. Graham
  7. Brian, I agree - my message wasn't intended to establish any sort of proposition that Mr Baker's wizardry is the norm. I was referring to his success when faced with the problem of getting any time at the console there, due to the enormous pressures of timetabling concerts, rehearsals, sporting events, degree presentations, and all the other multitude of events which the RAH hosts. DGW's CD of the organ there was recorded between 1am - 6am on three consecutive nights in 2004 (see CD inset) - surely not through choice! Graham
  8. Alan's post referred to Martin Baker's demonstration of the RAH organ. Although I wasn't present, I was told (by someone heavily involved in the restoration) that his improvisation - some 20 minutes long - was played after very limited time at the console beforehand. No more than 10 minutes, in fact! Graham
  9. The winning bid was £85 Surely some kind of record? (No pun intended.......) Graham
  10. Likewise - I found mine on an obscure website last year after years of searching. £6 including postage & packing! Graham
  11. The 1985 Preston Reubke/Liszt CD from Westminster Abbey is currently being auctioned on eBay. At the time of writing there have been 22 bids, the highest being £45! Bids close tomorrow. Any takers? Graham Powell
  12. The complete organ works of Howells - in three volumes - is available from Priory. See http://www.priory.org.uk/
  13. I'm fairly certain no announcement has been made yet. This subject has not been updated on the RCO website since February 2004.
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