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Agree with you absolutely. However the point I am desperately trying to make on this thread; and I can see I am failing,is essentially " would one attend a recital/concert, or anything else for that matter to which one is not a party to the content". Personal qualities/abilities, or even the complete lack of them even, do not form my original question.

I don`t think there is a real case either for or against here regarding tracker action. To use that hackneyed phrase its " horses for courses ". As you correctly state some compositions technically are just not suitable for mechanical action. This seems to me to be a simple matter of fact based upon the limitations of mechanics. Tracker action is certainly not a dinosaur. It should rather be regarded in similar terms to say, driving a Classic Car, preferably a Bentley. No synchromesh,no Bowden cables, no PAS,no heating - but what fun!! There again,still making the comparison with cars; some people drive them in a better manner and with more results than others. Tracker, pneumatic ( ! ) EP, Barker- whatever so long as it is well constructed and maintained it should remain a pleasure to play and I stress "pleasure " warts and all!

Precisely Sir. I have attended numerous recitals where the performer has augmented the printed programme with vocal additions. I stress;" already printed programmes "

Tracker, without any doubt. Depends upon the genre of the piece and the capability of the executor.

that sounds to have been some concert! Wish I had been into organ music then. Hindsight is a wonderful thing! At least out of the Old Skool Greats at least I heard The likes of GTB and Flor Peeters. Demisseux - sadly not to be

Nick, I think I like you!! I take you very seriously!

Thanks for the input on this one. I will mull your comments over and decide at a later date.

Agree, wholeheartedly. Have this on vinyl . definitely not one for " the Baroque Boys " ! Glad there are no other attempts to recreate this, to best of my knowledge anyway, in recitals or on cd. Even his protege CC hasn`t attempted.

Yes,proves that regular organ playing can improve ones chances of longevity! Let`s hope FJ makes it too; he can`t be far off The Telegram can he?

Correct, I endorse your comments regards PH . A totally unique band who still sound as good now as they did in The Old Days. The raging controvesey as to whether or not the underlying melody is Bach or not seems somewhat superfluous when compared to their wonderful song " Repent Walpurgis " and the theme they " lifted " for that!

Just wishing to collate readers opinions on the issue of " the programme will be announced from the console ". I ask this with regard to Mr. Carpenters scheduled recital at the Bridgewater in May. Maybe this is a fashionable trend with Our American Cousins ? The main point I am making is this, whilst not doubting Mr. Carpenters musical abilities I am more in doubt as to the capability of the instrument in the hall which has,shall I say,delicately, " limitations ". Bottom line is would anyone be prepared to pay £15:00 up front and not have a clue as to the programme ( or is it program??!! ) content? Concerts I have attended of a rock nature have, when announcing a " mystery guest " been pretty abysmal. Possibly I have answered my own question!

Bit late coming to this site but interested if you were successful in your mission?

For me personally, I am in full agreement with regards to the performers. I don`t fully agree with you as to the quality of the recordings. I feel that the engineer successfully " caught " the ambience of the church in Demessiuuxs` performance. Action noise is an added bonus!! Regarding the description of The Great Ladys funeral I stand to be corrected ,but I think it was the organ case which was draped in black. My big regret is that I never had the chance to see her play. I am very fortunate to have in my possesion a programme she played at the Colston Hall in `57. My parents were very impressed by the way she wiggled onto the stage in a pencil skirt, perched on the edge of the stool, unzipped her dress almost to the thigh , swung her legs over and commenced playing complete with those legendary heels. The stuff of legends! Progigious talent , due to Dupre as her tutor/mentor but unfortunately she had to pay a heavy price for her art.

Being a bit of an outsider this sad news has only just reached me. His recording of 565 will live for as long as there are human ears to hear and the machinery to listen to it.

I can recall as a child being shown round an old country church by a very crusty old church warden who I can clearly remember emphasising the point that " Handel did NOT play this organ! ". Think it was somewhere in Yorkshire.