Christine Jose Rigby
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Posts posted by Christine Jose Rigby
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I do not believe what I have just done!!!!!!!!
I went upstairs, opened a cupboard, grabbed hold of a box of papers marked "Organ stuff" AND WITHIN 30 SECONDS, found the OR dated October 1971. What amazes me, is the fact that it was put in that box in 1971, and I don't think I've rifled through it since.
So you have your article. If you PM me with an e-mail address, I will scan it and send it as a file attachment.
It's a fascinating read.
MM
Thanks very much, the Gods are smiling on us today!
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I shall have to have a dig, but I don't recall the article. The title "A queen in distress" is, of course, a follow up to another article "The Bracewell Queen," which details the history of the instrument and the fact that it was in a large house known as "Bracewell Manor" (I think), between Skipton (N Yorks) and Clitheroe (Lancs).
Nothing to do with the organ as such, but here is a remarkable and timely co-incidence, because Bracwell Manor was built in the 11 Century by the Tempest family of Broughton Hall, and only last week, the Halifax Organist's Association enjoyed a talk about the work of restoration and estate development at Broughton Hall.
This is all a bit like the song "The windmills of your mind"....."Like a circle in a spiral, like a wheel within a wheel: never ending or beginning, like a half forgotten dream."
MM
Many thanks for that. I have tried the OR Archives without success. I also contacted Gilbert Kennedy's widow some months ago but she said she has moved house a few times and wasn't sure if she would be able to find Gilbert's article.
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I have asked the Parr Hall Management to consider promoting a Recital to mark the Bi-Centenery of the Birth of Aristide Cavaille-Coll.
Roger Fisher, Ian Tracey and Didier Matry, Organiste Titulaire of Saint Augustine, Paris, have said they are willing to play.
While the Great Organ is still in Warrington, it is an opportunity not to be missed.
It is too early to say whether or not the Hall Management are willing, but I sincerely hope that they will be.
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Does anyone have access to a copy of Organists Review October 1971? I am particularly interested in the article 'A Queen in Distress' by Gilbert Kennedy which was written at the time of the Renovation of the Cavaille-Coll Great Organ in the Parr Hall.
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There is an interesting recording of this organ, where the programme notes have the following to say:
"In 1969, the Warrington Corporation decided that an estimated restoration of the instrument costing a modest £9000 would not be a viable proposition. Through the staunch efforts of a specially formed Cavaille-Coll Organ Retention Committee (under the chairmanship of Gordon Fletcher) the corporation gave an undertaking that, if the money could be raised, the organ would be retained in the Parr Hall. (...) Considerable interest was aroused and eventually the corporation decided to add to the sum raised (...) replacing of the worn-out, irreparable 'Barker-lever action' with new electric action. (...) It is of course a matter of regret that the Barker action had to be dispensed with ... in the event perhaps the only realistic step was taken; and the Willis electric action is certainly very fine."
An article named "A Queen in Distress", from the Organist's Review, Oct 1971, by Gilbert Kennedy, is also mentioned. Perhaps this might shed more light as to thoughts and opinions at the time.
The general tonal effect as captured on the recording has much in common with the similarly-specified but decade-later organ at St. Francois-de-Sales, Lyon, the most marked differences being attributable to the very different acoustics - predictably more resonant and warmer in the bass in Lyon.
I have tried, without success, to obtain a copy of the article 'A Queen in Distress' by Gilbert Kennedy. The Archive of Organist's Review were unable to find a copy and Gilbert Kennedy's widow thought that her copy had been mislaid when moving house.
Can anyone please help me to obtain a copy of this article?
Sheffield Cathedral And The Cavaille-coll Orgue
in General discussion
Posted
Concerning the Parr Hall Cavaille-Coll Great Organ:-
Gilbert Kennedy wrote an article 'A Queen in Distress' for The Organists' Review in October, 1971. In it, he said 'All that is needed to get the best out of her is an understading of the French console, a little love and a little patience. Playing this organ is a great experience'.
After he had played the Parr Hall Great Organ for the first time in 1970 (still with the old and worn Barker levers) he said 'her voice was wonderful and it was love at first sound'. He decided there and then that he would do his utmost to save her and a demonstration recital was planned for 16th October, 1970. He played (with no ciphers or mis-haps) to a large enthusiasic audience, and gave a second recital the following January.
The Warrington Corporation of 1968/9 had decided that it would not be worthwhile to spend £9,000 required to restore the Parr Hall organ and they were considering selling the organ for scrap for £105. This decision produced such an outcry among organists in the North West, that the Cavaille-Coll Organ Retention Committe was set up in Warrington to discuss ways and means of saving the organ, and an appeal was launched to raise money for the restoration. The Warrington Corporation gave an undertaking that if the £9,000 could be found, they would retain the organ in the Parr Hall.