Adnosad

Have just paid a visit to this site after a long period and am somewhat saddened to read that this issue has not been successfully concluded. I feel quite sure that whilst many people are genuinely interested in the survival of this instrument it is the large amount of cash required for its purchase/removal/restoration/re-location which is pivotal in the instrument remaining in Parr Hall. A lot of credit must be given to WBC who whilst making best efforts are at the same time frustrated by the lack of a solid offer, backed up by the cheque; in order to release it from its present limbo. Speaking personally, if it were fortunate enough to be moved then the most fitting ,suitable venue would be a few miles down the road in Pugins masterpiece at Gorton. That is providing the gallery is still intact at the West End.

Can remember an interview with him on the tv many aeons ago in which he gave a quite remarkable rendition of Chorale No.3 Interesting the link between great scientific minds and their affinity with music.

Despite the fact that mankind has survived into the 21st century it would still appear that he has still not overcome his dark,deep fears of anything which verges upon the unknown. By " unknown " I would refer specifically to the physical as well as the psychological. I tie in this observation with several of those opinions expressed on the topic regarding Mr. Carpenter Unfortunately , for so long as mankind is happy in the cosy environment of stereoytpes,grey, average, middle - of- the road,conservative, safe,known................. then he will never progress. I would have hoped that by now we had reached a stage of intellectual development in which we no longer judged individuals by their appearance or idiosyncracies. With regards to the demonisation of Mr. Carpenter, sadly ,it would appear that we have not yet reached that stage. Rest assured if it is not Mr. Carpenter getting it in the neck so to speak , then it will only be some other unfortunate individual.

Another great individual who has flown over the horizon to Other Realms. I am glad that I made the effort to see and hear him at several locations; Redcliffe, Parr Hall, Liverpool, French church London, plus several lesser but by no means insignificant venues. A true virtuoso whose prodigious talent was sneered at by many who should have known better but by whose lack of breeding prevented them. Saw him at Liverpool Anglican very recently. He did not look at all well but he, being the true professional did not let this hinder either his style or acerbic wit. Memorable performance, from memory of course, of BVW 564. A performer who plays from memory is allowed to interpret the music in whichever way they think is best. CC certainly did that " Komm Susser Tod "

French Church, Leicester Sq. Not too sure how much of this instrument is original.

Whilst interesting to read the comments which the original thread appears to have spawned I somehow feel that the subject of the issuing, or non-issuing, more to the point, of gongs and other associated trivia by The Establishment, is not what the thread is really about. I think however in reply to the above post it could be said that whilst Bernard Lovell is first and foremost a scientist, and an astronomer ( I have not checked but along with the likes of Patrick Moore I presume that he is stilll extant ) he can be included within the ranks as being considered to be a competent organist. I can still clearly remember seeing him being interviewed on a local news tv programme which showed a decent clip of film in which he performed a more than competent fragment of Choral No. 3

This man has nothing less than a first class performance. His incredible registration made the Metropolitan instrument sound like an organ; for once! Dr. Jacksons style certainly shows up the glaring inadequacies forever present in the current tube of many organists . Maybe being over 90 is something to do with it!

Very good performance given by Dr. Jackson yesterday at the Metropolitan.

I wonder if anyone out there could possibly furnish me with any information regarding this organist/ musician for the period after 1982? The Great God Google has an entry for him listed as resident organist for a church in Ealing from 1981 - 82 but not much else . Stumbled upon an excellent recording of him playing Camilleris transcription of " Pictures " whilst excavating in a forgotten gallery in my vinyl mine.

Very impressive! Many years since I visited this magnificent edifice. Considering the instruments somewhat limited resources coupled with the high quality of the sound recording I think the instrument sounds quite good in dealing with the somewhat challenging acoustics.

This looks very interesting and worthwhile. I hope it is well patronised. From an examination of the site would I be correct in assuming from my extant knowledge of the former Halifax Parish Church that the original H & H organ case has changed somewhat in appearance?

Whilst I would agree with you it still has to be said that " broadening the taste of " classical music "lovers " " is a bit of an anathema. ( I hope the site Grammar Police will pick up on my extended use of speech marks within speech marks. Just to overemphasise the point )

Whilst I would agree with you it still has to be said that " broadening the taste of " classical music "lovers " " is a bit of an anathema. ( I hope the site Grammar Police will pick up on my extended use of speech marks within speech marks. Just to overemphasise the point )

It is indeed unfortunate that the Sheffield offer has had to be declined but that is just another symptom of the economic maelstrom . A brave, and I believe, a genuine offer from a party who would have appreciated this instrument. By no means do I infer that Warrington council have not appreciated the organ; far from it; they have done their very best with limited resources at their disposal to keep the instrument operational but again, it all comes down to hard nosed economics and balance sheets linked to, and this has to be said, low attendance at recitals. The hall looks very good now that it has been revamped and the organ sounded very good; not perfect but given the limited resources available still very good. There will have to be more grass roots support if this magnificent instrument is to remain within the hall. Certain individuals are doing all they can to achieve this. They are the unsung heroes working in the background; the people with no names but who " just do the job ". The organ looks

The same could be stated for a plethora of similar events but the overall message is that in todays economic climate one has to adapt or else simply end up suffering the fate which came upon the dinosaurs, Modern presentation certainly may not be to everyones taste and certainly some of the offerings may be a little, shall we say, challenging, but overall stuffy old Aunty Beeb has done quite a good job in trying to be all things to all people instead of pandering to the whims of a certain section of the community who enjoy wearing jackets of a tightly laced variety. We only have to read the reviews of the reception of " The Rites of Spring " in order to see that such points of difference are not a contemporary phenomenon.

Condolences to your recent bereavment and bravo to your style in playing for the send off. I am sure your Mother would have approved. I couldn`t resist perusing the pic of the departure terminal supplied by another user and must say I thought it to be a very tasteful building, but that is only my opinion. Pity the same cannot be said for the soulless edifices created by Municipal architects, to which I have attended send offs. Seriously, maybe someone could recommend a publication on " Civic Crematoria "

A most excellent instrument which,due to the excellence of Whiteleyes scaling and voicing manages to produce a richness and depth of sound from what one would imagine to be a larger instrument. Visited the Hall and heard the organ in May and was sure that it comprised of 3 manuals but I may well be wrong. Will be visiting the same this Sunday so I will check The armoured RR is worth a perusal too as is the interesting art " installation " by Conrad Shawcross .

At Liverpool Anglican " The Boss " , and everyone else there, have used a conventional shaving mirror for years ( for rear views that is, not shaving. just mention that for the benefit of those of a more pedantic nature )

I`m off on one!! " Rififi " ( 1955 ) good scene and sound track where a bunch of bank robbers plan a heist and blow the safe to the final chords of 565. Good stuff! Ok one doesn`t actually " see" the organ but the sound effect is authentic enough.

ADDENDUM !!! I forgot to mention the location of the above - Alexandra Palace.

Strange that in all of these interesting posts one quite interesting film has been omitted from the contributions; Led Zeppelins " The Song Remains The Same ". (1976 ) Very good gothic views of the case with JPJ playing a very kitsch lily covered Hammond type console!! With ref`e to another poster who mentions the film " If ", the piece of music used was Toccata in F but is referred to by the actor playing the part of the padre as being " by Bach ". Wouldn`t really make much difference to cinemagoers.

Haven`t had the time to check dates but I am sure,unless the effect of the drugs had not yet worn off , the perf`e of The Janacek was on the Opening concert on Friday last.

I am not a native of the fair town of Warringtron in case you thought I might have been upset at you " having a go " as the saying goes. I was just referring back to my dodgy old " O " level Geography!! Warrington would not be a very easy place to produce a shiny brochure for in extolling its scenic/cultural/recreational features which is a great pity since due to its very geographical position this would make it an ideal place for such development. The shopping centre is quite well laid out with well designed pedestrian areas but apart from the towns association with Cromwell and engineering there is not a lot left really. There is the splendid edifice of St. Elphins church with its quite magnificent organ screen which, sadly, does not have its mechanical organ operative. There is also the imposing " fortress church " designed by Pugin I believe. However even this has succumbed to the vagries of the age and is now a Climbing Centre !! However if one cares to look in one can still see vestiges of Pugins work still undisturbed i.e. the gothic ceiling decorations. Finally the gates to the Town Hall are quite splendid. they were originally intended to grace Buck House but due to some dodgy politicking Victoria wouldn`t `ave `em! I think they are comparable to the gates which grace a Certain Aristocratic Pile a few miles down the road but are not covered in gold leaf!! Finally of course, there is always that interesting hall which contains an organ for good measure!

Totally subjective. You are quite right in your assumption that this innocent little question will merely serve the point of awakening prejudices and egos from their torpor.