peter ellis

If you type my name into Australian google, the two that interest me are the harmonica player and the convicted New Zealand sex offender. Other than that there is the guy who used to play Brownlow on "The Bill" who if memory serves could turn his hand to a mean Gilbert and Sullivan. Pretty paltry really.

I agree - some organ - any of you planning on visiting Sydney, if you get in touch with the Town Hall far enough in advance they're very accomodating. For those already here Kurt Ison (he of the above clip) is giving a recital on Wednesday 22nd august at 1.15pm at St, James', cnr King/Phillip Streets, Sydney. Following the recital, pre choir practice lunch/drinks will take place at the Buena Vista Cafe, 14th Floor of NSW Supreme Court. All welcome.

For some reason it was easier when I woke up this morning? Thank you both for suggestions. ps: Mr Cynic - you may be the owner of the least applicable alias - would that more cynics were like you

I am diligently pacticing this piece, which I love, but it does not seem to be becoming any easier under the fingers. Anyone else had trouble with this piece?

Whoops - sorry about that. I had to order mine from Novello especially - it's illegal but I'm happy to scan you a copy for educational purposes only until yours arrives. I've become rather fond of it of late.

They loved it......I'm still undecided

I bought a CD in Paris 6 years ago of some badly recorded improvisations by Yves Devernay. His sense of pulse is erratic but the improvs are just amazing. You need big speakers though.

Is this a masterpiece of symphonic writing in miniature or is it in fact overblown drivel. I can't quite decide but I'm playing it after Evensong on Sunday for the good members of the OBE society. Perhaps they'll enlighten me.

Ahem! If i could be so bold to lead this conversation from the lavatorial depths to which it has descended.... I'm yet to have an enjoyable experience singing congregationally in a large resonant acoustic, although I do recall Ian Tracey's judicious use of the tuba keeping a cathedral full of people on the straight and narrow for lot longer than I would have thought possible in the space. I'm sorry no-one know Coe Fen, it's a great tune. This probably added nothing to to the debate - sorry for the interruption - I can't quite bring myself to return this debate to the toilet so i'l

Agreed - in my case i get to play for a professional 12 voice choir so I'm very lucky. We usually do two or three responsorial verses for congregational input. Was hard not to word paint tonight in Psalm 110 with all the slaking and shattering - I was a bit stumped for what to do with Melchizedek though

Just back from our Ascension service - it just struck me half way through verse 6 today just how much i enjoy accompanying Psalms - does anyone else share my weakness?

I'm speaking from a purely Australian perspective here but i've recently had great experiences with Ahlborn-Galanti instruments. They did a fantastic installation at a church in Newcastle and also recently installed a large 3-manual with added pipe ranks at Newcastle University. They also do wonderful wooden keyboards, which may not seem much, until you've played on them.

Going off topic for a moment does anyone have an opinion on the Garth Edmundson Toccata on "Vom Himmel Hoch". I can't decide if it's great or awful.

Oooh - I've waited months to get Blicked good and properly, and now I have. Hooray. However ........... when I said "great piece" I should have qualified it with "for a recital once a year, or maybe as an encore". For my tastes it's a standard above Lefebre Wely but not something to wave about in public too often. It's jolly to play though and the punters love it. For some reason I have a fanatical hatred of the Lemmens Fanfare. Is it just me?

And as if by magic, the only other person working on antipodean time appeared. Great piece, although I'd be much happier if it finished on a full chord rather than Unison C's. I personally think that using a big solo reed for both fanfare sections is a bit excessive. At the aforementioned St. James', King Street, the Trompette Militaire can strip paint from the walls of most buildings in the vicinity, but I do use it for the second section. We also have a floating great/choir trumpet which is an option for the first section. I've heard it done both ways on a number of organs in bo