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peter ellis

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Posts posted by peter ellis

    St. John the Evangelist, West Vale

    in General discussion

    Posted

    11 hours ago, Hebridean said:

    I regret, as yet, no one has provided any information about this instrument from our membership.  I have had a look, on a complete off-chance, for West Vale in the indices of all of Laurence Elvin's relevant books, but there is no reference.  If anything does come back from the HDOA, I will post it, but for now I think we may have drawn a blank.  Sorry.

    Thanks for trying. 

    Huddersfield

    in The Organ

    Posted

    I commented on Lebrecht’s article on X (formerly twitter). It mentioned no organ to be left at Huddersfield but surely there is the one at St. Paul’s Hall. There are town centre organs too - Parish Church for example. 

    William Byrd

    in General discussion

    Posted

    On 08/07/2023 at 02:28, David.Dewar said:

    During the preceding few days, there was a superb set of Byrd events. The academic Symposium, of course, and also the cathedral choir singing CEvensong with the choir of Merton Oxford, and on the dedication of a memorial stone in the choir the cathedral choir singing with the Tallis Scholars - and a concert at 9pm the same evening, with the same forces. The whole seemed to me to be very well organised, and the performances went extremely well. Lincoln did their former organist of 1563 to 1572 proud.

    Hello David - might you be the same David Dewar who preceded me at All Saints, Kings Heath? 

    St. John the Evangelist, West Vale

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Very kind all of you - Hebridean I dare say I'll know some of your members. I was organist at West Vale baptist 1988-1994 and had my lessons at St. Paul, King Cross. I also did a bit of playing for the local methodist circuit. 

    I was six when St John's closed - terrible shame as it seemed to be a much better building than the Greetland parish it was merged with. I think it's always bugged me because I played it - just too young to remember a thing. 

    West Vale had five churches - four with organs - now all gone. 

    St. John the Evangelist, West Vale

    in General discussion

    Posted

    On 11/08/2011 at 01:04, peter ellis said:

    Hi all

     

    The Parish church in my home village of West Vale (just outside Halifax) closed in 1982. I was 6 at the time and the kind old organist of the church let me have a go on the instrument the week it closed. I recall it being very large but then again I was 6.

     

    All I know of the instrument is that it was dismantled and I believe some of the pipework reused. I have no idea of the builder.

     

    I'm in Australia now so I don't have as much access to historical records as I would like. I was wondering if anyone out there has by any slim chance a specification for the instrument or any information/pictures.

     

    Thanks

     

    Peter

    So - twelve years later I'll try again - there is nothing on NPOR and I wouldn't know where to start. In my mind the instrument was huge but I was only 6. I was also organist of the Baptist Church opposite - now also closed but that did make it onto the record NPOR | R00852

     

     

    Are we dying on our feet?

    in General discussion

    Posted

    On 26/09/2023 at 18:04, Martin Cooke said:

    It's very good indeed to see some renewed activity and some new names coming to the fore.

    Please feel that anyone can raise any topic about organs or organ music regardless of how basic it sounds or how inexperienced you feel. Nobody here is going to knock you back or reply in critical or disbelieving tones so if you come across an interesting organ, or you wonder why some pistons are square and others are round, or you want to identify or get hold of a copy of a piece of music you have heard, ask away. And we're not even fierce if you go off-topic - but it's great to start new threads even if they spring from current or old ones. And, ok, you feel a bit of a duffer if no-one replies to a thread - as happens to me quite frequently, but no need to be discouraged. 

    And do, please, tell us about experiences you have have had, playing or listening or organ building or meeting people, and new music you have discovered. There is quite a lot of new organ music about at the moment. I'm a real sucker for buying music, both new and second hand, and have a strong relationship with all the free sites too, but I am always looking for something new or unusual. I will try to get some posts going to draw attention to new publications that may be of interest. 

    Oh, and incidentally, we're not completely averse to occasional discussions on digital instruments - he said, controversially - they are a fact of life and lots of us play them at home and at church... and the blogs etc on the websites of the major players in the UK are often very interesting. Actually, in the case of Church Organ World (Makin, Johannus, Rodgers & Copeman Hart + sheet organ music) it's Keith Harrington's weekly newsletter that carries useful commentary about new music etc - and it's worth writing to him to ask to be included in the mailing. Whereas, the Viscount website has a blog and info about new installations which is always interesting to keep up with.) 

    Glad you're not completely averse to digitals - here in Australia we have a few concert halls without pipes and often my choice is no organ at all or hire in a digital. I've brought in digitals, the public and performers loved it and hundreds of people get to experience the instrument. The pipe police who have complained to me after the performance are yet to offer a solution of where to find the money to buy a "real one".

     

    Are we dying on our feet?

    in General discussion

    Posted

    On 18/09/2023 at 21:27, Martin Cooke said:

    I'm sorry to go for a dramatic headline, and I wrote along similar lines some years ago, but correspondence on this forum seems to have almost died out, with just a handful of us contributing topics and comments. As I write, there are about 30 people, mostly 'guests' viewing the forum. Could some of you not consider joining and starting some new topics? I think I speak for all existing forum members in saying that we would love it if you did! 

    I'm back (after 12 years it seems) - does that help? 

    St. John the Evangelist, West Vale

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Hi all

     

    The Parish church in my home village of West Vale (just outside Halifax) closed in 1982. I was 6 at the time and the kind old organist of the church let me have a go on the instrument the week it closed. I recall it being very large but then again I was 6.

     

    All I know of the instrument is that it was dismantled and I believe some of the pipework reused. I have no idea of the builder.

     

    I'm in Australia now so I don't have as much access to historical records as I would like. I was wondering if anyone out there has by any slim chance a specification for the instrument or any information/pictures.

     

    Thanks

     

    Peter

    Choir stall design

    in General discussion

    Posted

    For me movability is the biggest issue. You need to be able to fix them in position in more than one way for choral work, but be able to move them away without too much issue. Lockable wheels works.

     

    I quite enjoy having the back row a little higher - it seems to work better musically too.

    Pentecost from Halifax Minster

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Hi all

     

    I can't believe it's eighteen months since I posted anything.

     

    As I'm stuck in Australia and I can't access certain content on BBC iplayer I missed the BBC live broadcast for Pentecost Sunday from Halifax Minster. Did anyone watch and how did that beautiful organ sound? More importantly did anyone do a sneaky record they're planning to stick on you tube?

     

    I also believe the BBC killed two birds with one stone and recorded several Songs of Praise episodes whilst there. Hopefully we'll get that by 2015!

     

    Again I can't believe it's been so long since I posted. Hopefully soon I'll have some pictures of the exciting new organ going into my home church of St. Luke's, Mosman. I will soon have a toaster no more :P

     

    Regards all

    School Organ

    in General discussion

    Posted

    If it's a school that doesn't require liturgical versatility or a specialist instrument for a particular genre then I think your task may be a little easier. It may be possible to find a redundant organ that would work well without the need to make many (if any at all) tonal additions. I'd still counsel the school to get either a reputable organ builder (or competent amateur with a track record of good work) to do the installation.

     

    The school I teach at, which is a Catholic foundation with a large chapel, had a two manual Norman and Beard donated five years ago but it spent four years in crates while money was found for additions and installation. I can't publicly name the college but I'm happy to send you a link in a PM.

     

    Strangely enough I was looking up the village organ I started my playing on the other day. Look on the NPOR - West Vale Baptist Church - I get the feeling they'd give it to you if you volunteered to take it off their hands.

    History

    in General discussion

    Posted

    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.

    Sydney Town Hall

    in The Organ

    Posted

    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.

    Bossi Scherzo

    in The Organ

    Posted

    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 :rolleyes:

    Benedictus - Alec Rowley

    in The Organ

    Posted

    I used to play it - and also his "Second Benedictus" - published by Novello I think. Unfortunately, I mislaid both copies many years ago. Are they still available? (I can't immediately recall the Benedictus, but can clearly recall the opening of the "Second".) I loved them both and would like to have them back in my repertoire.

     

     

    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.

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