Alistair McEwan

My sentiments exactly. Nice to have a brief chat with you after Daniel's impressive recital. Alistair

Welcome Simon! Thankyou for a brilliant opening recital of the splendid Copley beastie. What was that gentle encore piece? Alistair

As you say, some nice bits. IMHO the Tower Ballroom offering was a wasted opportunity, in fact, a rather out-of-tune mess. Gordon Stewart is now back at Huddersfield Town Hall. Full details on his website. Alistair

Slightly more scope at Llandaff, Alastair, 76 speaking stops in total. On with the thinking caps! Alistair

I am sure the mourners appreciated your Daisy interpretation - nice one Peter! Perhaps the "Clap Clap Gloria" was featured as a tribute to the deceased who I suspect was wearing her celestial tap shoes. Alistair

Excellent reply - informative as ever. Keep up the good work. Alistair (Fellow Bryan Rodwell admirer)

My word, who's a lucky trucker!! A

Both organ voluntaries are always included in the repeat KC service broadcast on Radio3 on Christmas Day. Track down Afternoon on 3 and advance 2hrs 30mins to hear the closing bars of Bach and the complete Briggs Sortie. A refreshing change from the usual bill of fare. A

In this particular case, the lady in question may have been the orchestra's regular organ/keyboard player and therefore not singled out for special mention or even acknowledged by the conductor. In my experience, guest organists are more likely to be acknowledged, however, it all seems to depend on the conductor. A

The Baroque group was the Cheltenham-based Corelli Orchestra. A

Oops - sorry about the Merlotspeak - 2nd word should be whatever you feel appropriate! Cheers A

MM's ascertation of 11 seconds reverberation at Liverpool Cathedral may well be correct when the building is empty and cold, however, bathed in warmth this afternoon and with a full nave, the best I could estimate (albeit crudely) over a wide dynamic range was around 5 seconds which I found surprising. Quite sufficient to mangle some of the music! Both organ and player (IT) were on top form. A

The article written by the Provost of St Mary's Episcopal Cathedral states that Simon wishes to concentrate on his playing rather than choir training. At the Metropolitan Cathedral the only service currently featuring choir and organ is the 11.30am Mass on Sunday. A

According to the September edition of the Episcopal Cathedral Magazine, Duncan Ferguson (Asst Org) will become acting Master of the Music until August 2008 - this will give ample time to recruit Simon's replacement and serve any period of notice. Nicholas Wearne (New College,Oxford) has been appointed Assistant Organist until 2008. A

Martin October 2007 update! The 57 spk stop west end organ is now playable and most impressive it is too. The 5 stop east end choir organ together with the second console should be operational by the end of 2007. I spoke recently with the new Cathedral Organist, Simon Nieminski, and understand that plans are being made for a series of inaugural events commencing February 2008. A CD recording is also in the pipeline. Alistair

Perhaps pcnd might entertain this idea when playing away on chamade-free instruments! A

Well done pcnd! Entirely appropriate for this service and decidedly better than what Latry and Hakim had to contend with. I am sure the musical aware members of the congregation enjoyed this latest Tucker-Merlot production! Cheers Alistair

TT's programme is very much what I would have expected, a real crowd-pleaser, and just what the punters have been waiting for. This is NOT the opening recital on a new organ but rather a musical reunion. There will be plenty of opportunities in the future (for those of us who have not heard this fine instrument in the flesh) to enjoy a choice of music more likely to tempt listeners from Dorset or Dumfriesshire! Have a great time Willy. A

The sound of the old overblown heap was not at all distinguished and the acoustic was unhelpful. Mercifully, in recent years, the situation has been greatly improved - new floor and general re-ordering. The mighty Rieger can reach every corner of this sprawling building with ease! A

The big sound and generous acoustic would suggest the Rieger in St Giles' Cathedral, Edinburgh where Benjamin Saunders was an assistant. A

Dr Alan Spedding appointed in 1967. I wonder what he was driving in those days? A

I agree, Mark, GO 16' reed can be most useful. By the way, St Albans organ has had a 16' GO reed since 1962. The additions are to be 8 and 4' chorus reeds. Cheers Alistair

Something from Handel's Water Music springs to mind!! A

In 1960 I inherited No.6 of The Climax Album for Organ (W.Paxton 36-38 Dean Street,London) which contains such gems as Chanson Triste, Overture to Deborah and Achieved is the Glorious Work!!! It came in a brown paper cover - so much for the swingin' sixties. A

Oops! Hopefully you get the idea. A