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James Goldrick

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  1. ...and certainly used to great effect by Andrew Lumsden for the buzzing bees of Psalm 118 Verse 12. Psalms from Westminster Abbey Vol.2
  2. I had hoped as much. Could you please list the details of that LP, it sounds like a much more desirable recording.
  3. I always get slightly annoyed when I see (or hear) this recording. The playing is superb, but of all the instruments to demonstrate a cross-section of 20th century English organ music; the Bradford Computing organ of Worcester Cathedral??? At the very least, could they not have used the Chesterfield Parish organ as in the first volume, or even simpler, turned the microphones around and use the real McCoy slumbering in the Quire?
  4. Love Unknown has my vote for the entire century, but I agree with guilmant that East Acklam takes the cake for late 20th century tunes. (That said, sometimes I can't resist using Ar Hyd y Nos for a good congregational romp!)
  5. This video isn't from the Solstice DVD - There's a similar bit of footage (which might be from the same improv) where he goes into a rather stodgy fugue on Organo Pleno with 2' Chamade in the Pedal before and building up to Full organ. I love the Cochereau DVD, but watching it makes me want to see the performances in full, particularly the 1964 interview with Bernard Gavoty where he is given a theme by Dupre. I e-mailed Solstice suggesting they might consider such a DVD of complete performances but was quickly told there was no market for such a compilation. It's interesting that the recent series of EMI Classics DVD's have created an incredible upsurge of popularity, particularly among younger musicians, of some formerly obscure pianists, above all Georges Cziffra (Thanks to this particular video - another bit of Gavoty footage co-incidentally). I wonder if it could do the same for Cochereau and organ improvisation in general. It just seems a shame that the only complete impov on the DVD is the little scherzo he does at the opening of the Crystal Cathedral organ. (Plus Pincemaille's improv on C-O-C-H-E-R-E-A-U at St Denis) That aside, for the best improvisation video around at the moment, you need look no further than Daniel Roth's demonstration of the St. Sulpice organ.
  6. I can find one online source from The Musical Times: S.J. Webb, 'The rebuilt Gloucester Organ', The Musical Times, cxii (1971), p.799 (Accessed via JSTOR) "To make a separate third manual department when heard from the nave, a West Positive organ very light in texture has been placed within the case at the lower level immediately behind the parapet. It will be played from the fourth manual of the console, the old Solo organ having been discarded entirely (the big Tuba has gone to All Saints, Margaret Street, London, and the string stops to Brisbane Cathedral, Australia)."
  7. You might be interested to know that the H&H Solo strings from Gloucester found their way into the Solo Division of St John's Cathedral Brisbane, when it was rebuilt by HNB (Aust.) in 1971. They are nicknamed the 'Howells Strings' of course and they are absolutely stunning. The last recital I heard there in October included Vierne's Berceuse where they created a magical effect. (It takes a lot to make this piece send shivers down my spine) Unfortunately the rest of the organ did not fair so well in the typical 1970's rebuild - It is a shame to see (and hear) the enormous 1909 Norman & Beard Pedal Trombone languishing on about 4 inches of wind. The Tuba was recently knocked back up to 18 inches and sounds excellent. I eagerly await the day that the entire organ can be returned to it's Edwardian splendour, particularly now that the nave of this magnificent cathedral has been completed. Some pics are here: St John's Cathedral, Brisbane (OHTA) JG
  8. I know this thread implies a bit of the imagination to run free... However, my dream church organ has already come into fruition... The old Norman & Beard from St. Saviour's, Walton Place, Knightsbridge now standing resplendent in St Patrick's RC Cathedral, Parramatta (Western Sydney). St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta - Organ I agree that an open or stopped 32' should be a high priority, but the Quint on this organ is very fine. On a recent recording of the Howells St Paul's Service, Bottom C with 12' Quint and Trombone makes a remarkably convincing 32' reed. ("...aaand to be the glor-Wham!) But I suppose my absolute dream organ would be this instrument plus a full-length Double Open Wood and a Choir Unda Maris. ... ...or Truro
  9. This strikes me as interesting as three of the four Great mixtures at STH contain tierces, as well as two of the three Pedal Mixtures. Sydney Town Hall Great Mixture Composition Mixture 3rks. [C-f#] ___13/5' - 11/3' - 1' [g-a] ____2' - 11/3' - 1' [a#1-c4] _4' - 22/3' - 2' Cymbel 4rks. [C-c]____11/3' - 1' - 2/3' - 1/2' [c#-c1] __2' - 11/3' - 1' - 2/3' [c#1-c2] _22/3' - 2' - 11/3' - 1' [c#2-c4] _51/3' - 4' - 22/3' - 2' Sharp Mixture 4rks [c-f#] ___11/3 - 1' - 4/5' - 2/3' [g-c2] ___2' - 13/5' - 11/3' - 1' [c#2-c4] _4' - 22/3 - 2' - 13/5' Furniture 5rks [C-c] ____13/5' - 11/3' - 1' - 2/3' - 1/2' [c#-c1] __2' - 13/5' - 11/3' - 1' - 2/3' [c#1-c2] _22/3' - 2' - 13/5 - 11/3 - 1' [c#2-c4] _8' - 51/3 - 4' - 22/3 - 2' (Ampt, Robert - The Sydney Town Hall Organ 1999)
  10. One of the best Bach CD's I have come across is 'A Late Twentieth Century Edwardian Bach Recital' played by Kevin Bowyer at St Mary's Redcliffe, Bristol. With kaleidoscopic registration changes exploring the full palette of Arthur Harrison's masterpiece and ample swell pedalling and rubato, this recording is one of the most exciting and dynamic Bach recordings I have heard. I have yet to come across a more thrilling rendition of the Prelude and Fugue in D BWV 532 and the 'Dorian' Toccata and Fugue in Dm is, in my mind, second only to Karl Richter's monumental reading at Freiberg before the restoration. The Double Ophicleide thundering away in the final pedal entry is one of those inevitable 'weak at the knees' moments! It makes a fascinating comparison to Walter Alcock's recordings of the E-flat Trio Sonata and BWV 532 at Salisbury Cathedral in 1927. This CD alone makes Kevin Bowyer my favourite British Bach organist.
  11. It would seem so: The Nun Freut euch transcription is one of the handful of acoustic recordings that Busoni recorded and survive today*. It's probably faster than most other piano performances, but to me, it is far less robotic than other pianists. Here's the mp3:Bach 'Nun Freut' BWV 734 - Ferruccio Busoni My own favourite original version is Andre Fleury's:Bach - 'Nun Freut' Bwv 734 - Andre Fleury It's definitely on the brisk side, but nowhere near the typical transcription tempo. Cheers James Goldrick *Busoni also recorded the entire Liszt Sonata and Hammerklavier as well as other large-scale works... all lost in a factory fire. One can only imagine.
  12. I am confused as to why the Aberystwyth organ has been bought by St Jude's Southsea, when they appear to have a very fine 3M Hill & Son already. Will they have two organs the the new development or are they planning to sell the existing organ?
  13. The Dudman SOH recording has been transferred by the ABC Classics/Eloquence label. I've never heard the E.Power Biggs cadenza, but I assume Dudman is improvising as he was a first-class improviser. I think it's the most exciting recording made on the Sydney Opera House organ. They always have it in stock at the Opera House Gift shop. It appears to be here too: http://chaos.com/product/sydney_opera_hous...264_205396.html I've been meaning to replace my lost copy of the Melbourne Sounds Grand - From memory every track is pretty wonderful - The Beethoven being an obvious highlight. The two Rossini transcriptions are spectacular too. Have you heard Heywood's Humoresque for Pedal Trombone? It's on the Grand Organ Gala at St Joseph's Buffalo. I think it's a remarkably ingenious bit of composition. A piece of fluff - but a delightful one. JG
  14. On the NPOR spec for Westminster Abbey prior to the Harrison & Harrison rebuild of 1937, there is an interesting endnote about the Hill Celestial organ added in 1895-9, as follows: The celestial organ is still (c1990s?) in place at the end of triforium in S Transept, untouched since installed in 1895. Not used in 1982/87 rebuild. It was to have been incorporated in 1937 rebuild but war prevented completion. A few pipes are missing. Is this division still extant and if so, are there any plans to use it in the future? Cheers JG
  15. I've just come across this recording on NAXOS online - It's probably the best version I've heard. I can't find which organ is being played. Is it the Klais or possibly one of the organs of Glasgow? Cheers James Goldrick
  16. Roger Fisher's 1970 Reubke arrived today on the re-master of the EMI Great Cathedral Organs Vol.1 It is a superb performance, though I must side in personal preference with the Simon Preston recording. The Tubas really provide some artillery in the fanfares. However, the 32' Contra Trombone seems entirely mute thoughout, and in the final chord, I would have guessed the organ has a very weak Contrabassoon at best. Is this just the re-mastering? Cheers JG
  17. This sounds like the two Deutsche Grammophon recordings of the Saint-Saens 3. They both had the orchestra and organ parts recorded separately. (1) Herbert von Karajan/BPO with Pierre Cochereau at Notre Dame (2) Daniel Barenboim/CSO with Gaston Litaize at Chartres Cheers JG
  18. The psalter is unfortunately out of print, though the publisher's website is considering a re-print. Does anyone know the location of unsold copies? Or does the Crypt still stock any? Cheers James G
  19. I'm on the verge of finishing this marvellous piece, which took a surprisingly short time as it is far simpler than I thought upon hearing it the first time. My question is, what to do about registering the two fanfare sections: The written registration is Swell 8' reeds on the first fanfare and then Tuba (or Gt. Reed) on the second. I have two recordings: Malcolm Archer at Wells who does Swell reeds first and then that colossal Tuba on the second fanfare: and my teacher Peter Kneeshaw's on the Letourneau at St Mary's Cathedral which has the brightest Tuba I've ever come across. He uses the Tuba for both fanfares and for the final flourish of arpeggios, which I think is much more exciting than the written registration. However I find both options convincing. Any thoughts? My own two regular instruments and Sydney in general are quite lacking in proper Tuba tone.* The Great Trumpet and Clarion on my Hill are certainly powerful enough to do the job properly. But I'm still undecided what to do when faced with a decent solo reed: Swell reeds then the real fireworks or to have the pyrotechnics throughout? Cheers James Goldrick *As far as I can recall, by way of Solo reeds in Sydney we have: St Andrew's Cathedral (CofE) Some quite fiery but still rather honky Letourneau Bombardes 16' and 8' (Plus a prepared for J. Whiteley Tuba from the 1930's - Can't wait!) St Mary's Cathedral (RC) As I mentioned above, a very brassy Choir Tuba which almost sounds lke a chamade. World's apart from the Willis/Harrison type. Sydney Town Hall - 16,8,4 Tubas on the Solo which don't obliterate everything else, but instead add that unmistakeable blaze to the Tutti whilst the Mixtures continue to sing above all else. St James King St. - An outspoken tenor C chamade which tends to polarise opinions. I've seen Mr. Ellis on these boards and would be interested to hear his opinion of this stop. Sydney Opera House - A selection of Trompetes on the Kronwerk which I haven't heard in a while, nor particularly remember. The 8' Ophecleide has been extended down to 16' very recently. I really should go and play them again. St Patrick's Cathedral, Parramatta (RC) - This superb transplant of the 1898 Norman & Beard organ from St Saviour's, Walton Place has the Great Tromba available on the Choir and is probably the closest in tone to the Edwardian ideal. There's a J.E. Dodd Tuba in Darlinghurst I haven't tried, and who knows? My questions mght be answered when I do. Ah, almost forgot... There is a deplorably recent example of Neo-1970's alteration done to the Holroyd and Edwards organ in the Chapel of Sydney Church of England Grammar School (Shore) which saw the addition of a Grand Trumpet opposite the main organ. Completely unnecessary given the impact of the existing Trumpet in what is a deceptively modest instrument. Oh well, we'll grow out of the habit eventually...
  20. James Goldrick

    Gtb

    The recording's available here: Ally Pally Organ There's a pretty good sample option too
  21. Is that Albert Renaud playing the Dubois.... or the other way around?!
  22. From a purely necessitive perspective of Bach's organ works, which pieces seem to indicate the requirement of a third manual? The ''Sei gegruesset' partita instantly springs to mind due to the penultimate variation and the two cantus firmi. Are there any other examples I can't think of at the moment? Thanks JG
  23. Could someone please explain to me the details of the organs of Westminster Cathedral? The NPOR details are very confusing to one who is not familiar with the building and I am not exactly clear on how many organs are actually in the building. (I visited it for the first time last Christmas for High Mass followed by Messiaen's Nativite - Definitely the highlight of the trip) If someone could detail the position and function of each organ and console, it would be of great help. Also, is the West End console still tubular pneumatic, as per NPOR? Thanks JG
  24. As much as we hear about Ratzeburg's 'rauschwerk' and apocryphal Choir to Pub couplers, attempting to bring something of the happiness of the pub to those twenty minute sermons, I wonder about the reverse. Has anyone ever visited the pub Waxy O'Connor's in Glasgow? While I was in the U.K. last year, I came across this pub and it is a marvellously intricate edifice. The interior appears to be supported by solid tree trunks (Perhaps attempting something along the lines of Adlington Hall?) ...and Lo and behold upon entering the central space, one is greeted by a diapered Victorian organ facade. I would be interested to know if anyone knows the origins of this instrument (now only a pipefront) A panoramic view of the interior: JG P.S. Try the haggis... it's excellent! (A bit more difficult to procure back here in Sydney)
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