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hackjo

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Posts posted by hackjo

  1. Sad news but in some ways it is fortunate that the damage wasn't worse.

    As for the organ, it seems to have been slightly ill fated since it was built with the ventilation system not being fit for purpose, some serious electrical problems as I understand and now being out of action due to this incident. 

    I wonder if they will ever get the Transept in action, let alone the much talked about West end instrument?

  2. Bleedin' hell! That recital by David Briggs was fantastic. Wish I'd known about it so I could have attended, especially as I live within 30 minute's drive of the Cathedral.

    The Widor and Bach were both hellfire with the organ being used to its fullest. God, I love the sound of that instrument. Such a unique blend of continental spikiness and mellow English Romantic foundations. Brings me to tears whenever I attend recitals there.

    I have to say, the organ sounded in fine fettle on the broadcast. I couldn't hear anything more than some minor tuning issues. But of course, that doesn't mean the work isn't required. Hope they bring back the sizzle to the solo reeds when they restore it. 

    A thought on securing the future of these instruments - they should let ordinary morons like me have a play. I asked several years ago after a concert if I could have a dabble in return for a donation to the Cathedral and the response was somewhat frosty, as it often is with churches in my experience. I don't know why they are so insular and protective over their assets. Let people experience the sheer power and joy of these magnificent instruments. So what if they play the theme music from Super Mario Bros. 1 on full Tutti? If you lock the things away then don't expect younger generations to put their hands in their pockets in years to come.

    As I've said many times, the organ is the original heavy metal. Let people pay to play and see for themselves.

  3. I remember hearing the old organ in the 90's - we were sitting at the top of the nave near the Transept case. The organist was using the Solo reeds exclusively for certain passages in a "call and answer" duel with the Quire sections. It was bloody loud!

    I remember the Quire sections seeming a bit distant, might have been better if we were sitting under the crossing as opposed to the top of the south Nave aisle.

  4. I must admit, that having heard the Tickell in the flesh and on recordings, I've always been a bit underwhelmed by it. 

    It has some lovely individual tonal colours, but the chorus seems a bit bland and homogenous and it lacks any real character.

    That said, I've not heard it in person since it was first installed and I expect its "developed" somewhat since then. 

    Hard to believe it's now over a decade old. I remember the furore over the destruction of its predecessor, the 2001 Adrian Lucas recording of which is a personal favourite of mine. 

  5. I found the paper programme from Thomas Trotter's opening recital at Worcester on the installation of the new Tickell Quire organ the other day. I realised it is nearly a decade since the old organ was thrown out and the Tickell installed.

    I listened to Adrian Lucas' excellent CD of Reubke and Vierne to remind myself of the sound of the new organ. I recall feeling that the instrument had many stunning individual tones but a slightly unexciting chorus when I heard it live, a view which was reinforced by listening to the CD. It seems a bit "generic" to me against instruments such as Coventry, Peterborough and even the old hybrid job.

    I was wondering if anyone has heard or played it recently and if so, what is the general consensus?

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