Adnosad
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Posts posted by Adnosad
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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.
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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.
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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 "
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I don't do French by and large, but even I recognise a German in disguise!
I don't profess to know a lot about Gern, but the fact that he trained with Bucholz is interesting, because Bucholz had worked with Cavaille-Coll among others, during his journey years, when he seemed to have tramped all around Europe working for this organ-builder and that organ-builder, wherever the fancy took him. He eventually ended up in Romania. One could write a book about Bucholz, but I can't be bothered.
However, it does mean that Gern would have been aware of two important traditions....that of Cavaille-Coll, and that of Ladegast and his fellow German organ-builders. (I sem to recall that Bucholz was a fairly typical Berlin (?) organ-builder).
The bit about Gern being a foreman to A C-C is well known, and holds few surprises. The fact that the poor sod was unable to return to France due to his German origins and the Franco-Prussian war, might have spelled his demise; but no, he somehow stayed in London and became a respected organ-builder, as we know.
I've never heard or played a Gern organ, so I cannot vouch for anything, and most of those which remain may well have been altered beyond tonal recognition.
His main claim to fame was in the invention of what we would now recognise as the Pitman-chest, but in a cruder and slightly less well engineered way.....more Peugeot than BMW, shall we say?
There is an extensive discussion of Gern's action in Audsley's "The art of organ-building," of which I think I have a copy.
Of course, other organ builders had experimented with these sorts of actions; the Belgian firm of Annessens having patented, in company with "Schmols" (of Beglium & America), an early form of sliderless electric-action.
Apart from this, I know very little about the man, other than the fact that he must have been quite multi-lingual.
MM
French Church, Leicester Sq. Not too sure how much of this instrument is original.
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John Dykes-Bower
Thomas Armstrong
Edward Heath (not for being an organist, I suspect)
Wasn't Stanford a Kinght of the Realm?
Malcolm Sargent (pretty good conductor, and a good organist apparently)
Sir Bernard Lovell (Not for being an organist)
MM
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
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I went to his rectial last month at Worcester Cathedral which was first class. A lesson in dynamics, phrasing and use of colours. Made me realise just how good the new(ish) organ is. The Bairstow sonata sounded amazing.
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!
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Very good performance given by Dr. Jackson yesterday at the Metropolitan.
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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.
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Hi everyone!
After spending an hour holding keys and being slightly deafened while the Tuba was being tuned today at Christchurch Cathedral (NZ), this made me ask the question which Tuba in any organ members of this forum would think would be loudest.
This Tuba Mirabilis is the loudest in New Zealand, being voiced on 19 inch wind and I have to say it sounds absolutely fantastic, and to top it off there is even a Fanfare Trumpet sticking 'en chamade' out of the transept case! This aside though I suspect compared to some Tubas I have heard of from the UK, it may only come in on the list about 30th.
So here's a start:
0. Atlantic City Convention Hall - Grand Ophicleide 16/8' 100" (I'm a bit hesitant to add this one as I do not know if it can be classed as a Tuba or just a loud noise)
1. Liverpool Cathedral - Tuba Magna 8' 50"
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30. Christchurch Cathedral, NZ - Tuba Mirabilis 8' 19"
Josh
At the risk of making myself extremely popular here ( but in reality I don`t actually care ! ) I would beg the question " are there sufficient grounds to class a " Tuba " and its myriad derivatives as being - " musical " ?
PS. I should also add just to annoy someone, there's even a Dulciana complete with Vox Angelica which can only just be heard from the console with box open...
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Having visited the ongoing work-in-progress that is Gaudi's incomparable Sagrada Familia in 2005, I've often found myself wondering what kind of organ would eventually be built for it, and indeed who would be awarded the contract. (I'm sure many others have too!)
At last it appears there is a partial answer to that question. Though incomplete, the Sagrada Familia has now been consecrated as a minor basilica, by Pope Benedict in November 2010. A 2-manual / pedal organ was installed in the Presbytery (ready for use on that occasion) by Orgues Blancafort; it's the first of several instruments that will be placed at strategic locations throughout the basilica, obviously to try and overcome the tremendous acoustics in there!
http://www.orguesblancafort.com/PRO-EN.pdf
http://www.orguesblancafort.com/CARACT-EN.pdf
There's already some footage of the instrument in use:
The latter clip (from the consecration service) proves why multiple organs will be needed: it must have been hell on earth for the organist to try and accompany the choir from effectively the opposite end of the building!
One wonders if the project will be completed in tandem with the basilica's own completion, due by 2026...?
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.
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Halifax Minster seems to be going from strength to strength in many areas of its ministry. Of particular note to those in the organ community is this
Hope I got the link right - if not paste this into your url
http://www.halifaxminster.org.uk/index.php...n/organ-academy
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?
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Is broadening the taste of classical music lovers not also a good thing?
Paul
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 )
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Is broadening the taste of classical music lovers not also a good thing?
Paul
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 )
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Just herd the proposed move of this historic organ to Sheffield Cathedral is not going to happen due to a lack of funds
Warrington Borough Council comments -
The council now plans to consult with all interested parties to discuss the future of the instrument so that it can be enjoyed by as many people as possible.
Kate Hannon (Lab, Orford), executive member for leisure, culture and communities, said:
‘Whilst we are disappointed that following a lot of work and negotiation Sheffield are not in a position to take the organ, I think this gives us a real opportunity to reconsider the future of the instrument.
‘We all want to find a solution where the organ is maintained and enjoyed by as many people as possible and to that end I have asked officers to review the current condition of the organ and establish a range of options for the future. This will be done by ensuring that we consult with all interested parties so that elected members can then determine the best way forward.’
The Very Reverend Peter Bradley, Dean of Sheffield Cathedral, commented:
‘It would have been wonderful to bring this truly great organ to Sheffield, but unfortunately in the current economic climate it has simply proved impossible to raise the funds. On behalf of the Cathedral, I would like to place on record our thanks to colleagues in Warrington, who have done all they can to help us make the project the success it deserved to be.
On the subject of another Warrington organ, I seem to remember a previous post relating to The Phoenix Digital organ in Warrington Parish church and the solo 'Solly Flood' trumpet stop
Major General Sir Arthur Solly Flood was CiC of the South Lancashire Regiment & Warrington PC is one of the Regimental Chapels. Solly Flood presented the regiment with two trumpets. These are now housed in the church. the description from the regimental handbook is as follows
The Trumpeters’ Case housing the Solly-Flood Trumpets, to be sounded upon ‘great and solemn occasions in the life of the Regiment, and always when the last honor is paid to its members who have given their lives for their country, or when their service and sacrifice are commemorated in after time’, and the Trumpeters’ Book in which these occasions are recorded
These trumpets are still used today, on Regimental Sunday which is usually the around the end of Sept, beginning of Oct
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
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A festival of music spread over 9 weeks including the music of 119 composers - whose output is spread over 6 centuries - featuring some of the world's great orchestras and soloists - with music to inspire little ones - a young composers concert - a poetry competition - a chance to sing some of the works being performed before you hear them - concerts of chamber music - lunchtime concerts - pre-concert talks! - as well as the usual 'pot boilers'
I think it's wonderful - my only gripe, I think, would be that the Havergal Brian 'Gothic' symphony was not televised - but, there again, staging a work like that took so many performers that there probably wasn't room for TV cameras!!
What is there to be appalled about?
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.
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Thanks for that - the picture was a little alarming - but I know now where the place is!!
In truth we weren't that close - although she was my mother! I never discussed religion with her and I don't think she approved of my 'high church' leanings! She didn't practice but I do suspect she had some belief.
I've got quite a lot of experience of playing for difficult, often very difficult, events - though, obviously, I've never played for my own mother. I'm sure I won't have a problem playing although I would prefer not to have to - as for performing any of my music - I write a lot - but most of it, in truth, wouldn't be suitable!!!
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 "
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Eaton Hall, Chester, home of the Duke of Westminster, has a 3-man Whiteley in an excellent acoustic. receently restored by Nicholson. Often played on the garden Open Days when the chapel is open, the Hall is their residence and is closely guarded but the gardens are well worth a visit - even a narrow gauge railway, a replica of an earlier system serving the hall. Chester Cathedral choir usually have a concert there once a year to raise funds for tours etc..
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 .
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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 )
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ADDENDUM !!! I forgot to mention the location of the above - Alexandra Palace.
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.
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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.
ADDENDUM !!! I forgot to mention the location of the above - Alexandra Palace.
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The most recent episode of "Leverage", entitled "The Van Gogh Job", featured the 4/18 Wurlitzer organ at the Oaks Park skating rink in Portland, Oregon. This unusual organ was quite an essential part of the plot, with one of the characters taking lessons on it in a sort of flashback. Plus, it's not often you get to see bad guys felled by an organ pipe.
I believe Bravo carries "Leverage" in the UK, so hopefully this episode will air for you soon. While I wouldn't call it high art, it is light-hearted and fun.
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.
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Thank you for doing this, Dave.
What a pity that most of these take place on a Sunday - a day when most organists who do not live in or near London will be unable to attend.
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.
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I'm sorry, I used the word "remote" a little carelessly. What I meant was sort of in-between two significant cities ie: Manchester and Liverpool; each with their own considerable "organ scene."
Although I used to regularly nip off the M62, down into town, turn right at the roundabout, turn left and deliver the mail at the post office depot, Warrington isn't the sort of place you would normally choose to spend a day in.....a bit like Rotherham or Runcorn.
On the other hand, one could spend a week in Manchester or Liverpool and not see everything.
Apart from the POst Office, I think the nly reason I would want to go to Warrington especially, would be to hear the "Bracewell Queen" in all her glory.
MM
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!
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OK, here we go........
Which is the best cathedral organ in the UK?
MM
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.
Cavaille-Coll Organ - Parr Hall Warrington
in General discussion
Posted
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.