Jim Treloar
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Posts posted by Jim Treloar
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Since the honours system seems to have recently become mainly for the benefit of sports and TV so called celebrities and civil servants doing their day to day job (not always very well), may I point out that Thomas Trotter was recently awarded the Queen's Medal for Music, given personally without all the dressing up and fuss, and I would suggest of much greater reward both to him and of significance to organists or those of us, like me, who admire your talents.
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It is sad to report the death of Roger Fisher on June 3rd. He had been incapacitated for over two years following a severe stroke. He had spent 39 years as master of music at Chester Cathedral, but after that was active as a recitalist, teacher, recording artist and organ consultant. It was terrible that so talented a man spent his final years unable to do anything. R.I.P.
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Forgot to mention the time - 1145
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Rachel Mahon is obviously in favour at the BBC as she is on the radio again this Saturday (11th) discussing organ matters. Just in case anyone has overlooked it, her CD of Canadian organ music played at Coventry is thoroughly recommended, The Gramophone mag's editor's choice in March.
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I have just read of the tragic passing of Jennifer Bate. I am sure there are many members of this forum more qualified than I to write of her achievemnts
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I agree with you entirely Colin, in fact I find the tone of the piano in such pieces aggravating. Bach is bad enough but Scarlatti is just ridiculous. Many years ago I wrote to the BBC saying how much I found it offensive but as always with the BBC it's like talking to a brick wall, I had no reply or acknowledgement.
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Standing ovation - Rachel Mahon received one at her final Chester Cathedral recital last September before leaving for Coventry, although some members were hesitant, not sure if it was the thing to do!
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By a sad coincidence at yesterday's London Organ Day at Bloomsbury chapel Isabelle Demers the Candian virtuoso organist played his arrangement of a Vivaldi Concerto in d minor. No one was aware of the sad news at that time.
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Of the 3 funerals I have attended this year, two of them finished with "the Widor" (the 3rd was secular). Like David Surtees, I recall somewhere that it was originally written with a funeral in mind. Some might find it inappropriate but I think it uplifting, life must go on, we have said our farewells and most people retire to a hotel afterwards for a meal and a friendly chat.
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I've just read of the passing of the well known Dutch organist at the age of 87, many years at Martinikerk, Groningen
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The new concert hall in Hamburg, the Elbphilharmonie opens this week, and it contains a Klais instrument. Google "Elbphilharmonie organ" for full details. Iveta Apkalna is the titulair I see.
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I am reliably informed that David Poulter is to leave Liverpool as DoM.
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It was indeed Roger Sayer - have you been in the organ loft at Chester?
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Andrew Wyatt is now Deputy DOM at Chester following a brief time as assistant organist. Rachel Mahon ex organ scholar at St Pauls is now assistant organist.
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The problem has been solved at the weekly Chester recitals. A charge is made and the many tourists are told about 25 minutes beforehand that the recital is to take place and if they're not wanting to come to it the nave will reopen at 2 o'clock. Vergers are placed at the door to take the tickets issued at the entrance desk. At 1.10 the door is shut and vergers are placed there to prevent anyone creeping in. The whole place is quiet for the whole of the recital, all sitting in the nave, also a tradition that applause is only at the end of the recital. Occasionally some visitors may not be aware of this but if they applaud after the first piece they realise that they're the only ones and the rest of the recital continues in silence. Any workmen have to suspend work for that hour, the only sound being the occasional ambulance or noisy vehicle outside. It has always made attending recitals a pleasure, and the numbers attending remains very acceptable in spite of the charge.
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Many on here, particularly those who will have been associated with the Organ Club, will be sad to hear of the passing of John Smith at the age of 84 following a fall and further complications. He had been a member since 1954 and was president in the late 70s. He was also secretary of the Brighton Association for many years.
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Benjamin Chewter, assistant DoM Chester, will shortly be leaving "to become freelance". Advertisements for a replacement are already being placed.
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I heard today that Ronald Frost, long time organist at St Anne's Manchester died yesterday (30th Sept). I expect many here will have memories of him.
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I take your point SL, but I think the difference is that today our army is made up of volunteers who are trained to to a very high degree, whereas in WW2 many of these brave men, DW included, were plucked from civilian occupations, including talented musicians, who in their youth probably never thought they would be put in the position they found themselves. I was referring to the many young men who now would never dream of having to fight in that way and would have great difficulty adjusting to that way of life. I hope that you agree with that.
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His importance in the musical world have quite rightly been recorded above, but let's not forget his bravery in World War 2, culminating in the award of the MC. All this while still in his 20s, and like so many of his generation, he carried his bravery with modesty. One wonders whether there are sufficient people on their 20s these days who could defend their country in this way.
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He appears in the Fugue Films DVD of Durch organs including Groningen. (Plus 5 CDs) Well worth getting if you've not already got it. Fugue appear to have reduced the price at present.
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Wrexham RC Cathedral has a 2-manual Rushworth and Dreaper of 1958 or 59 still working. I've never heard it so can't report on its condition or how it sounds. We have an RC organist in the area and he has never recommended us to go there - might tell you something.
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Does anyone have news from the interviews at Chester earlier this week?
I know two people who were short-listed but not successful.
Andrew Wyatt, presently assistant at Hexham Abbey, starts in Junne.
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Geoffrey Woollatt, currently number 3 at Chester, a very fine organist, is to replace Jeffrey Makinson at Manchester.
RIP Harold Britton
in General discussion
Posted
The loss of another fine organist who recently passed away. For many years organist at Walsall Town Hall.