DHM
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Posts posted by DHM
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Quote from the Lay Clerks' List, posted on Wednesday 26th:
"Dr Alan Thurlow announced his intention to retire with effect from Easter 2008 to the congregation at Chichester on Sunday morning."
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There were two consultants according to the NPOR listing: H.K. Andrews and W.K. Stanton. Most probably at least one of these gentlemen was, or had been, the organist
I don't know if he was the resident organist, but Walter Stanton was Willis Grant's predecessor as Prof of Music at the University. Wasn't Ken Andrews at Oxford? (New College?)
EDIT: Sorry, I responded too soon, before reading Cynic's post!
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Can anyone tell me how you get the double ss symbol in the middle of the term "Grosse Fuge"? And umlauts too? Thanks!
There is another way (I'm sure there are probably several, but this is the one I find easiest, and you only have to do it once):
In MS Word, go to Insert | Symbol; choose the character you want; click "Shortcut Key", then "Press New Shortcut Key"; create whatever key-stroke combination you want; "Assign", "Close".
I use Alt+A for ä, Alt+Shift+A for Ä, likewise for ö and ü, and Alt+S for ß.
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I have never seen much mention of the late Garth Benson on this forum...a Redcliffe "character" if ever there was one!
Indeed he was - reputedly played in an overcoat and mittens in winter!
I sang there 1969-70, just after a Choirmaster had been appointed over his head to run the show (there were rumours of a Lay Clerks' revolt just before I arrived, unless someone other than GB were appointed to run the choir).
Slightly OT, I know, but this stirs memories of another bygone age: a coach was hired for the annual Lay Clerks' outing - a day touring the Cotswolds, with lunch at the Shakespeare Hotel in Stratford, tea at one of those villages with a quadruple-barrelled name and dinner at the Queen's Hotel in Cheltenham, the tab for all of which was picked up by the Churchwardens.
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Arranged by WH Harris, published by Novello as No. 1 of "Modern Transcriptions for Organ", copyright 1932 (renewed 1960).
Hope this helps.
Best wishes,
Douglas.
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This is certainly one option I am considering. The console is indeed very solid and it would be wasteful to throw it out, especially since I would never get a larger one into the house without taking a window out. However new, good quality keyboards will be an absolute priority and I think this prove to be a problem. I did discuss this with Wyverns at Bideford (who made the instrument; this was before they became Renatus, obviously) and offered to pay whatever was necessary, but was told that the B282 keyboards were a slightly different dimension than the ones they used for their higher-quality instruments.
Maybe, but to be fair it's had really heavy use over the years and has been kept in a basement that doesn't get hoovered too often The ailings might well be due to dust, cobwebs, fried mice, or goodness knows what else.
There is a market for 2nd-hand consoles which can be modified (or MIDIfied) for use with "virtual" organs.
Alternatively - leaving aside for a moment the question of replacing the keyboards - one could have it rebuilt by someone like (e.g.) Hugh Banton (albeit still using (AFAIK) Bradford technology, though he is generally regarded as one of only a handful of people on the planet who know how to get the best out of it), or Phoenix (excellent value for money, despite being one of the best solutions currently on the market).
If one wanted more flexibility, but has narrow doorways and not much space, one could consider a computer-based solution with a keyboard stack from one of the suppliers in Germany, Canada or the US. Some of these offer upgraded keyboards from Fatar or (for a price!) UHT, and some are portable.
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I have already found the ambiguity of username confusing, suddenly realising part way into a post that it wasn't in VH's familiar style. I'd be grateful if VH8 would consider a different title or clearly different spelling.
JC
While adding my welcome to "Vox Humana 8'" to the board, I would also support the respectful request that (s)he consider using another handle to avoid confusion with another member.
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...I heard the Cavaille Coll in the Cathedral on Aix on Provence.
...the organ at the basilica of St Maximin.
Go and hear these organs!
Hector (and Florence) in Burgundy
Hi, Hector,
As I'm sure you're aware, both these famous organs are available as Hauptwerk sample-sets - generally reckoned to be among the very best on the market so far.
D.
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I'd thought I'd throw the question to the floor; What's your Toaster?
At the church where I was O/C for 17 years we installed a large 3-manual drawstop Makin in 1979 (one of the last of their analogue instruments before the tone-wheel generator cabinet in the vestry was replaced by circuit-boards in the back of the console). I had 10 more very happy years presiding on that. It was recently rebuilt using "Bradford System" synthesis technology by Hugh Banton (who did the original installation when he worked for Makins). I have to say that I prefer his 32ft reeds to most of those I have heard in pipes!
At home I have a Viscount "Grand Opera" (predecessor of Prestige 1), vintage circa 1990-1991. The flues are OK, reeds + strings are not good (ancient sampling technology). It lacks a decent solo reed. One of the best things on it is the 32ft Contra Bourdon. It's a good instrument for practice, but doesn't give much aural pleasure - for that I use Hauptwerk.
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...there is a smaller Cavaille Coll at Mainz which would fit a smaller computer- although prepared for the first release of Hauptwerk...
All of Helmut Maier's sets will be converted to HW2 - but he doesn't say by when.
...as yet an ‘off the shelf’ all-in-one solution is not available.Actually, there are some.
Helmut Maier has done one with pipe-organ builder Harald Rapp - but it costs upwards of €40,000.
There are other possibilities in Canada, in the range CDN$10k-15k plus shipping.
These may be more readily available in Europe before the end of the year.
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Hauptwerk has to be worth a look/listen. For French romantics the Aix Cavaillé-Coll is available and Metz Cathedral should be soon. I thought the Silbermann and Schnitger/Bosch reproductions very satisfactory indeed - I would be very happy living with these. There isn't much, though, in the way of English Romantic instruments: there's a Willis but I don't think much of the samples on the net. The IIP Brindley and Foster you get as a freebie isn't my sort of organ, but it is very effectively done.
I have to agree with VH that Hauptwerk ought to be seriously considered, particularly if you want the flexibility to be able to play different repertoire on the appropriate kind of organ. I also agree with him about the serious lack of a good large English sample-set (e.g. Harrison or Willis) at the moment.
There are some very attractive console options - mostly compact, and some easily portable - available from suppliers in Germany, Canada and the US (as yet no UK-based solutions, hence my recent post about MIDI consoles). See here for examples:
http://www.milandigitalaudio.com/masterwor...idi-console.htm
http://www.midiworks.ca/products/product_r...p?categoryid=22
http://hoffrichter-organs.co.uk/html/pictures.html (last 4 pictures)
Add the cost of these to the cost of the necessary computer hard- and software, and you will still probably get change out of what you would have paid for a decent toaster.
Best wishes in your search.
Douglas
[Hoffrichter Organs UK - but for how much longer is a moot point!]
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Thanks to all for the replies so far.
The obvious places to try are Renatus...Tried them - didn't get a reply to my last enquiry. Don't think they're interested.
...and P&S.More info, please. Who/where are they?
Willis have done a custom one for a customer's digital organ (pics on their web site)Tried looking there - didn't find any pics of that. Sorry!
Maybe it's a niche in the market that needs filling.It definitely is, and it does.
The German firm I (am trying to) represent has an excellent solution, but seems incapable of delivering it within a reasonable timeframe.
I'm looking for a solution that can be delivered efficiently and reliably in weeks rather than months, without constant excuses for repeated delays.
There is also an excellent solution just announced in the US, but then there are freight costs, customs duties...
A UK product would be so much easier.
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How many British organ builders still make their own consoles?
Does anybody know of a company (apart from the well-known one in Devon) who would be prepared to build inexpensive MIDI consoles for connection to a PC?
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I have just "happened" upon an interesting site - for those of you who might like to take a look, it is http://www.ondamar.demon.co.uk/schemes/elec/index.htm - it lists in great detail some early and very large pipeless organs such as the compton in the Festival Hall (pre-Harrison) and Carlo Curley's monster Allen organ which was used in the Alexandra Palace for those amazing gala concerts (I remember 300+ people stamping their feet to the Gigue fugue!!). At the bottom of the really wierd specification for this instrument, it says it is now in "private ownership in the South of England". Does anyone know where it is?
Also, I mentioned the RFH Compton organ - that was news to me; I'd always assumed that before the H&H there wasn't an organ! What happened to the Compton? Does anyone know?
Best wishes
Richard Harrison
There is a fairly ancient Allen in the Chapel of Sutton Valence School in Kent (just south of Maidstone) which is said to have been previously used as a touring organ by Carlo Curley. Possibly the same one?
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Picky, ain't I?
Weren't you always?
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Slightly off the beaten track although it mentions Schulze, but the current edition of our local Organists' Assn newsletter carries an advertisement .......................................
"Organist and Choirmaster required ........St Peter's Church, Hindley, Wigan. 16 strong choir (many members of local choral societies) backed by a well digitised three manual organ (it used to connect to our Shultz) need help! Basic retainer of £2500pa for two Sunday sewrvices plus Thursday choir rehearsal. Also option for weddings/funerals @ RSCM rates. Contact Rev XXXXXXX"
Anyone tempted?!!!!!!
The church in question is my "home" church where my interest in the organ first began at the age of 10, and of course, refers to the fine three manual instrument by Schulze which still stands in all it's glory at the West end of the church. The console was turned into the console for the present toaster, installed three or four years ago.
One of the finest examples of ecclesiastical vandalism I have ever come across.
Neil
I won't presume to comment on the pros and cons of replacing the Hindley Schulze organ with a pipeless instrument, since I know nothing of the circumstances and it was/is obviously very controversial.
All I would say - since I believe the "toaster" to be the work of Hugh Banton - is that they could have done a h*** of a lot worse. HB is, IMHO, one of the best digital organ builders in the country today and is, allegedly, one of only a tiny handful of people who really know how to get the best out of the "Bradford System" hard- and software.
[Disclaimer: I have no financial interest in HB other than as a very satisfied customer.]
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the hall interior is quite tiny, so with anything like an audience, the acoustic just vanishes.
MM
A Cavaille-Coll in a dry acoustic - an ideal candidate for Hauptwerk sampling, so that it could be used in a "wet" building!
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A TV programme a couple of nights ago showed some of the amazing Victorian Gothic interior of Manchester Town Hall - including an impressive-looking organ.
A quick check on NPOR reveals this to be a large 1893 CAVAILLE-COLL , extended from 4 manuals to 5 by TC Lewis in 1912 and rebuilt by Jardines in 1970.
Has anyone here ever heard or played it? Is it any good? Is it ever used?
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Anything reminiscent of Big Brother has to be pretty close to hell. I really cannot understand why anyone would be the slightest bit interested in the programme.
I'll second that.
Yeah, I'm a grumpy old git.You and me both!
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Thanks to MM for the helpful info.
To answer a couple of your questions:
Quite how Lewis pipework (presumably almost contemporary) could find its way into a Brindley & Foster instrument is hard to fathom, unless the Brindley & Foster instrument...used some older pipework.It did [see my original post]. The first organ, installed in the church in 1875, was a chamber organ by Lewis. The 1907 B&F incorporated this pipework.
M Schultz (sic) I have never heard of, and can find no evidence ofI think you'll find the "M" on the NPOR specification stands for "Metal" (and "W" for wood).
Two of the pedal stops (one wood, one wood and metal) are attributed (in part, at least) to "Schultz".
Which then raises the questions: Is this Karl or Edmund, and were they related?
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Recent discussions about these builders (under the thread on "Dulciana Mixtures") has revealed some interesting connections between them, of which I was previously unaware, and raised some interesting questions for Hauptwerkians.
Anyone who uses Hauptwerk will have initmate knowledge of the organ of St Anne's, Moseley, described as "Brindley & Foster, 1907", but it would now appear that that description is an over-simplification.
The specifications as given on NPOR and on the church's own website give rise to some confusion:
http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=N00645
http://www.st-annes-moseley.org.uk/organ.html
http://www.st-annes-moseley.org.uk/organspec.html.
The former (survey date 1984) mentions pipework by "Shultz" (sic) and "Lewis".
The latter mentions an earlier organ by "J.C. (sic) Lewis of Brixton, London" whose pipework was included in the 1907 instrument, and also allegedly includes pipework by "Schultz" (sic). There were further improvements and additions by Nicholsons in 1984 and 1990 (NPOR needs updating - Tony?).
Are "Shultz" and "Schultz" misprints, and is this really the Schulze of Armley/Doncaster fame?
Is "JC Lewis" a misprint for the famous TC?
Douglas
[Enjoying a Sunday morning off - as all our roads are closed for the Tour de France and we can't go anywhere - but unable to explore the mysteries of Moseley any further, since the HW organ is out on hire to a local choral society.]
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Speaking of organs at Bristol University, I am aware that the organ of First Church of Christ Scientist, Clifton, Bristol has been sold to the university and is to be placed in the chapel at Wills Hall.
Rumour had it, when I was there, that Dame Monica had given the money for the chapel on condition that no organ be ever erected in it. Can anyone else with Bristol connections confirm or deny that? Should we expect to find her in an ongoing burial rotation posture?
However, the organ is to be placed at the back of the chapel on a balcony which will mean some alterations to the instrument. The balcony to ceiling space is thought not to be enough for a 16' pipe so something is to be done about that.Forgive me for being picky, but wouldn't the Subbass be stoppped, and therefore only approx 8ft?
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I took my daughter to an open day at Bristol University a week or so ago (and yes that makes me feel very old!) during which time we attended a talk in the main hall of the stunning Wills building. I was interested to see the 4 manual organ console clearly visible at the back of the stage, with pipework visible through the screens around the back of the stage. NPOR seems to suggest a mixed and confusing history for this instrument. Has anyone played or heard it - whats it like?
Heard it? Yes - lots. Played it? Never.
It was regularly used for recitals, degree congregations, etc, when I read music there almost 40 years ago, but undergraduate organists were never allowed anywhere near it. However, that was in Willis Grant's time, and things may well have changed for the better thereafter. Anybody have more recent info? VH?
If I might be permitted another brief reminiscence: the acoustics in the great entrance foyer of the Wills Building are wonderful. At the end of (Autumn) term a bunch of us would go halfway up the great staircases to left and right and sing carols, alternating 'Dec' and 'Can'. That was in the days before the world went security-mad and anyone could just walk in unchallenged. I doubt one could do that now, even if 'bona fide'.
Another Choir Bites The Dust...
in General discussion
Posted
Is he still there? Long service indeed.
I think he was the organist when I used to practice there while at uni in the late 60s.
Not forgetting Redcliffe, of course.