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Interesting reading. There was much discussion on here of this in 2015 with reference to Couperin Masses. Both Vox and I made a quite substantial contribution to that discussion - in my case, probably muddying the waters!! As I said at the time, it's not my area of expertise! Couperin Organ Masses - The Organ - Mander Organ Builders Forum (invisionzone.com)

Perhaps an email to Francois Menissier, the titulaire at St. Nicolas des Champs in Paris. The photograph appears on his website so he, presumably, can tell you where it came from. There is a Contact page on the website. Francois also has a facebook page François Ménissier | Facebook

NPOR Ref: 2004 - Church to be taken over by Romanian Orthodox congregation 2004 - Organ no longer required - will be removed in due course I wonder where it went!

I agree. The French seem to have a fondness for introducing something modern, edgy, perhaps outrageous and controversial into a traditional scene. Chinese architect (I. M. Pei), I know, but look at the Louvre - two huge glass pyramids in the middle of an essentially 17th/18th century building facade! And I remember the heated discussion on this board about the latest console at Notre Dame de Paris - another 'Marmite thing'!

Me neither! - ............ but I've emailed my friend and asked him to tell me the connection! Meanwhile another five more works in B minor - there isn't much more! Tchaikovsky - Symphony 6 Berg - Piano Sonata Op. 1 (a single movement nominally in B min. - although Berg uses extensive chromaticism, whole tone scales etc.) Paganini - La Campanella Brahms - Clarinet Quintet Sibelius - Tapiola Beethoven called an idea of his in one of his sketch-books- 'a black key'!

Correct on both counts Martin! ................. but that connection between B min. and Palm Sunday anyone?

I have been having a discussion with a friend over what he plans to play over Easter. He said that he would rather like to play the Bach B minor Prelude and Fugue because of the associations of the key of B minor with Palm Sunday. I have never heard of this! Irrespective of our different traditions and whether our tradition has it that the organ is used or is not used on Palm Sunday I wonder if any other forumites have heard of the association of the key of B minor with Palm Sunday - and where the association/tradition/custom comes from. ................................................................................... As an aside, B minor is an interesting key. Not that many standard repertoire works have been written in that key. Apart from the obvious Bach/Shostakovitch/Chopin Preludes (and Fugues!) I wonder how many works forumites can name in B minor. I'll start off with: Dvorak - 'cello Concerto Elgar - Violin Concerto Borodin - Symphony 2 (a most tedious work in my opinion!!) Schubert - Unfinished Fingals Cave Blair/Noble Canticles in B minor I could go on - but I'll give others a chance first!!!

Thank you for that!

Thank you Choir Man for posting that. As those who know me will testify, I have a certain affection for the Chapel at King's College Cambridge. Except for when I was away, or stuck in a practice room, I attended Evensong and Mass there, almost daily, for, I suspect, nearly five years. In my day Ian Hare followed by James Lancelot were Organ Scholars. I thoroughly enjoyed the film - but I think there must be more to come? And, if there is, does anyone know where it is to be found?

Martin. Thanks for the link to the Doctorate thesis. I read it, entirely, this morning. I thought it a bit 'lightweight' to be honest but it was a jolly good read!

Some fascinating videos which I found most interesting on a number of levels! Thank you Rwolff

Beautiful - and it brings back memories!!! Thank you!

I love the Ludwigtone at 8' but the description is even better 'taming a schizophrenic krait' - wonderful - it doesn't bare thinking about!!!

March 8th - Monday - is International Women's Day LOL - my initial reaction was 'shame on you Martin' having to avoid the Alto Clef - then I looked at the score of the Ethel Smyth O schones Weltgebaude - and I would have too - but, if you look on IMSLP you will see it transcribed for you! (As an aside, my friend, Harold Truscott introduced me to Ethel Smyth's 'cello Sonata which I gave a number of performances of!) There is some thought that Maria von Paradis was, indeed, a man although most sources name her as the daughter of Joseph von Paradis, the Court Counsellor to Maria Theresa after whom she was named!

A Response to a number of posts. I'm sorry if I have caused too much controversy or any offence - it wasn't intentional! Contraviolone: I did, indeed mean 'transfer', 'come across' or whatever (susseeded?). I most certainly did not mean 'succeed' as in 'success'. I'm sorry if my spelling let me down, and, and I apologise if I am wrong, but I did smell a little sectarianism in your post!!! Damian: I'm afraid I know dozens of 'Guitar Swinging Nuns' and, as I said, often they had the very best of intentions. They did irreparable harm in parishes, schools and colleges up and down this country and the Catholic church in England is, in some places, still reeling from them! If you didn't experience this then you are indeed fortunate. I did! John: I know a number of organists who play Sunday by Sunday who are not in the least religious! And, of course there are hundreds of others with a deep faith!!

I wasn't a Roman Catholic at the time of Vatican II but, from what I learnt from my late wife, who was, there was a lot of misunderstanding especially concerning music! 'Guitar swinging Nuns', a technical musical term, were often to blame - but often with the best intentions though! I also remember conducting in St. Peter's in Rome and a past organist of Lichfield Cathedral writing the most amusing letter of warning. He warned me of a Nun, complete with guitar, who was liable to interrupt the proceedings! (that wasn't, I don't think, with the best of intentions!!) I think there still is a lot of misunderstanding - and it will take years to undo the damage that has been done - if ever!!!

In the 1980's I conducted a lot in the Metropolitan Cathedral in Liverpool. Friends who knew the building warned me about the acoustic and how difficult it was. I didn't find it so but, my background, as a 'cellist, playing concerti in concert halls all over Europe helped me considerably! I remember Terence Duffy ringing me up and asking if, by chance, the Sunday after I would take a group up there to sing the morning High Mass as the Cathedral choir was making a recording that afternoon. Ten of us, eight singers, an organist and myself, went up and did the Monterverdi 1640 Mass. The organist had fun playing extravagant French music, I think he played the Langlais Te Deum and we sang some Plainsong and some other Italian Polyphony. It was a remarkably easy place to sing in for such a small group. With a big choir it was easy for the organ to drown out the singers - the sound went over the top of them into the great space! I seem to remember Philip Duffy telling my organist that hymns should be accompanied on 'no more than Great 4 coupled to Swell 4' (or something like that!). I'm pleased that the organ is getting a 'service and MOT' I always found it a fine instrument for the building, ideal for the liturgy and architecturally fitting for the building. I think Gibberd drew the façade in his original plans - but I stand to be corrected on this. (As an aside I remember being told that, in the music library, there were upwards of 1 million copies of music! - certainly, in the Duffy's day, the music was imaginative - the very best from an ancient tradition through to that which Vatican II promulgated)

They're not!!! A few places have gone back to the 1962 Missal, some occasionally sing the Common of the Mass in Latin but, generally, it is, musically, a fairly dismal affair - and in France it is even worse!!! I'm sure you are being funny John but, if you're not - I wouldn't bother - because you will be desperately disappointed - musically anyway! And I speak as one who did leave the Church of England and succeeded to Rome! It was a long time ago and, before anyone makes assumptions, it, most certainly, wasn't over the Ordination of women!!!!

Update on the new Ruffatti organ at Pershore. It seems it is going in at the end of this year - 2021 Pershore Abbey- Pipe Dreams :: Pershore Times Online Today (pershoreonline.co.uk)

My late wife would talk of a recital in York Minster given by an eminent organist, still alive today, who made liberal use of the big Tuba which, and I may be wrong about this, she reckoned was sited at the front of the case. She was sitting on the front row and went home with ringing in her ears!!!

Musing Muso was last here on February 23rd 2020!

I went to the opening recital in Leeds Town Hall after the c 1970's rebuild. (17th of May 1972) It was given by Flor Peeters. I'm sorry, and forumites might find this an heretical thing to say, but my only recollection about the recital was being bored to death!!

I suppose it depends on what you have available to you. Thinking of the old organ of St. Chad's Cathedral in Birmingham with its deafening en chamade (now in Monmouth Parish church - I'd be interested to know what it sounds like in there!) and John Pryer, the present Organiste Honoraire I can imagine a splendid improvisation. But, I suppose that also depends on your improvisation skills - and you've got almost five weeks to think about it!!!

The forum isn't dead at all. But, like all fora is goes through quiet times! Stick with it - there are some interesting people on here with a huge wealth of knowledge of their subject.

There is quite an extensive wikipedia article about him. Richard Shephard - Wikipedia He was quite prolific. I seem to remember that some of his music was published by RSCM. I remember a number of 'Services' - Addington, Wiltshire and Gloucester stand out and several 'Mag & Nunc' settings as well as a number of anthems. What I didn't know was that there are Operas, Musicals and some orchestral and chamber music. Requiem Aeternam