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Aeron Glyn Preston

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Posts posted by Aeron Glyn Preston

    British Organ Going To Germany

    in The Organ

    Posted

    I saw this instrument advertised on the IBO's list.  It looks like a fine instrument.  I imagine that the unusual apsidal design of the case(s?) might have made it difficult to re-accommodate without electrification, and that most organ builders would be at the least rather circumspect about ripping out an original action.

    Conacher - how good were they?

    in Nuts and bolts

    Posted

     The drawstops on the Conacher organ below are in the same style as those in Quentin's photo, though the columns are two drawstops wide.

    http://npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=N11858

    Quentin, NPOR shows a large Conacher organ in St Paul's, Colwyn Bay.  Are you familiar with it at all?

     

    Conacher - how good were they?

    in Nuts and bolts

    Posted

    A fairly large two-manual Conacher organ is still housed in Theatr Soar in Merthyr Tydfil.  Dr William Reynolds, organist of St Mary's, Swansea, is heading up a grant application to get the organ restored.  It's not playable at the moment, and I've never heard it myself, but I'm assuming it is/was a fine instrument, given its BIOS certification.

    http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=G01778

    http://www.theatrsoar.co.uk/take-part/heritage-treftadaeth/

    List of beautiful English Organs

    in The Organ

    Posted

    1 hour ago, OrganistOnTheHill said:

    I don't know about anyone else here but I think elegantly painted pipes are just wonderful.

     

    Then you should definitely make the pilgrimage to St Michael's, Tenbury Wells, if you get the opportunity.  The diapering on the front pipes depicts St Michael's slaughter of the dragon.  The pictures on NPOR do it little justice.  I think it is a shame that Willis did not "do" casework more often though.  On this organ, it would do much to highlight the diapering.

    (http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=N14871)

    List of beautiful English Organs

    in The Organ

    Posted

    1 hour ago, AJJ said:

    The Hay on Wye organ is a bit of a mess..

    A

    In some ways!  I'm not a big fan of adding digital to pipe organs, for example.  However, I think the case is more than merely charming, and the instrument itself is far superior to the vast majority of instruments of my acquaintance in the county (Powys).

    History of the Tremulant

    in Nuts and bolts

    Posted

    There's a quotation about tremulants from a French organ builder working in Dublin at the end of the 17th century in Bicknell's The History of the English Organ (p. 189):-

    Quote

    "No organ in England can show the like, for they have not found how to make the tramblen [sic] stop; and for want of that stop all their vox humanas are deficient, whereas I have made this stop ... as perfect as any organ beyond the sea."

     

    Christ Church, Welshpool

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Good afternoon everyone!

    I wanted to point forum members to a very worthy project in Welshpool, in Mid-Wales.  Christ Church in Welshpool was designed by Thomas Penson as a second parish church in the 19th century, in a Romanesque style.  Sadly, the church became redundant, but is now being lovingly restored.  Karl and Natalie Bass have completed their own residence at the back of the nave and under the tower, and are now starting to restore the nave, the organ, and other fittings.  The Gray/Holdich organ was built for St Mary's, Welshpool, in 1813,  and was moved to Christ Church in 1884.  They have started raising money for a full restoration with an organ recital by James Parsons last Sunday, and have already raised £700!  I am sure they would appreciate any contributions.  Natalie has also told me that members of the forum are welcome to book a visit to play the organ.  It is one of two organs by Gray in Montgomeryshire with BIOS certificates; the other is at the Church of St Mary and St Tysilio in nearby Meifod.

    Information on the recital at Christ Church: https://www.christchurchwelshpool.co.uk/an-afternoon-of-organ-music-with-james-parsons/

    NPOR entry for Christ Church: http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=D00050

    NPOR entry for St Mary and St Tysilio, Meifod: http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=D02563 (Note that a replacement for the original Great Mixture* with contemporary pipework has been put in by Peter Collins in recent years, according to the organist, Dr Malcolm Clarke.) 

    *And trumpet

    St James, Piccadilly

    in The Organ

    Posted

    On a day trip to London this past weekend, I stepped into the aforementioned Wren church. At first, I was bowled over by the architecture, but, on turning to view the "West" wall, I was saddened to see the organ case, with many of the front pipes missing. How could the organ in such a fine church in a seemingly wealthy area be allowed to fall into this condition?

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