Tony Price

Interesting, Barry! Thank you for that. As an eventual Grade VIII pianist, I was first drawn to playing the organ through our family Parish Priest, who appealed for an organist from the pulpit; my parents put me forward, and informed me afterwards! It was a very modest two manual instrument, but it stirred my interest. I was 13 at the time, 1968. Two years later I was playing a single manual, no pedals, instrument, accompanying a newly-formed parish choir, and was entrusted in 1970 to contribute to a new instrument designed to meet the requirements of a growing parish. Our hosts have done us proud over the years! At about the same time, I was in the sixth form at school, and had unfettered lunchtime access to the wonderful instrument at Sacred Heart, Wimbledon at the bottom of the school's playing fields (it's no doubt known to many of you, and then still in its 1935 state, which showed!). It was an marvellous, and hugely instructive experience! I went into teaching, and spent my three years' training at What is now St. Mary's University, Twickenham, as College Organist for two of those years, with a fine student choir. I currently reside, as Director of Music, in the same parish I have been in since 1970. I'm proud to have been associated with, and to lead, a completely amateur Catholic parish choir for all those years, with an encouragement to all and any to join us, without audition, to sing at the Sunday liturgies. It has led me to play a large number of other instruments over the many years, some of which other amateur organists might well be envious of!! Tony

There's a recording here on YouTube - lovely! Tony

I've attached a copy of Colino's original - if this is what is currently being referred to? He passed it to me in either 1990 or 1994. At the time Pablo Colino was Director of Music at St. Peter's Basilica in Rome, during the period when the Choir was not officially referred to as the The Cappella Giulia! Tony

I wonder if this might be what you're looking for Martin? Douglas Steele: Selected pieces for Piano & Organ Tony

I only discovered recently that Colin Mawby (RIP) produced an English version of C.H. Kitson's Mass in D in 1967, the year Liverpool's Catholic Cathedral was completed. IMHO this Mass (in the original Latin) is one of the best from its period for current liturgical use in parish churches. Interestingly Cary published both editions. Tony

One of George Thalben-Ball’s 113 Variations on Hymn Tunes requires a high note held throughout. I don’t have the music to hand, but I seem to recall it is Irby? There were specific instructions on the relevant page. I have always used a piece of paper folded the necessary number of times to achieve the objective. Tony

A nice obit. from The Telegraph. Tony

Is this RC or CoE? The latest I have for the Catholic Church is this, of 18 March. Tony

I think it's Banks Music Publications. See down the page here. Tony

Try Banks for the Oxford Archive, Martin. Tony

It is possible a copy may be available to purchase from: https://bradfordorganists.org.uk/sheet-music/ Tony

I wonder if this article in the Daily Telegraph relates to the matter Denis has raised? https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2019/05/19/westminster-cathedral-putting-heritage-risk-sending-choir-boy1/ Tony

I played the instrument at St. Mary's, Strawberry Hill, for three years as a student from 1972-75. At the time it was suggested that it was the last Kingsgate Davidson built, and, as such, incorporated a lot of remaindered pipe-work from their work shops. I've never been able to verify this though!

Appointment of new Director of Music Posted: 19 Jun 2018The Dean of St George's Cathedral, Southwark is delighted to announce that Jonathan Schranz has been appointed to be the Cathedral Director of Music with effect from January 2019. Canon Richard Hearn says, "Jonathan will bring a great deal to the role and I am confident that he will build upon the great work that his predecessor Norman Harper has done both in developing the choir and enhancing the music tradition at St George's Cathedral".

Norman Harper retiring from St. George's cathedral: http://www.stgeorgescathedral.org.uk/music/StGeorgesDirectorOfMusic2018.pdf Tony

St. Jude's had a quite wonderful Tuba rank if I remember correctly?

Thanks, SL. This is a fascinating thread. There is a quote from St. Augustine in the Catechism of the Catholic Church #1157: “How I wept, deeply moved by your hymns, songs, and the voices that echoed through your Church! What emotion I experienced in them! Those sounds flowed into my ears, distilling the truth in my heart. A feeling of devotion surged within me, and tears streamed down my face – tears that did me good.”. The plainchant Missa de Angelis was considered very avante-garde when Pius XI encouraged its use by the laity in 1928. In reality, Pius XI, and, as a consequence the Church in general, was commencing a re-discovery its music for the laity to participate in. The Missa de Angelis is a real historical mish-mash of geographical and chronological sources. The Kyrie goes back to the 15th century. There are some interesting words on Cunctipotens Genitor Deus here: https://www.questia.com/library/journal/1G1-339530395/kyrie-cunctipotens-genitor-deus-alternatim I hasten to point out that the words above are written purely from a position of interest rather than from historical knowledge! I have no qualification whatsoever to speak of what may or may not have been familiar in the French Catholic Church at the time of Couperin, but I venture to suggest he may well have been familiar with traditional alternating plainchant. Tony

Might this just be a reflection of the 'three-fold' manner in which the plainsong Kyrie was sung? Kyrie thrice: Choir, Choir+Congregation, Choir Christe thrice: Choir+Congregation, Choir, Choir+Congregation Kyrie thrice: Choir, Choir+Congregation, Choir It now tends to be two-fold in these 'modern' times. Choir followed by Choir+Congregation for each of the Kyries and the central Christe. Tony

I played the HJ at St. Mary's, West Croydon, for a couple of years 1975-77, whilst I was teaching at the Secondary School next door. I would agree with your comment, David. It was dull, but relatively forceful. Tony

A tragic loss of a fine young musician who was devoted to his duties. His expertise, especially in the world of Gregorian Chant, will be sorely missed. http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015/03/11/english_catholic_musician_killed-in_hit_and_run_collision/1128565 Requiescat in Pace Tony

I have a feeling the now-mobile console in the nave at All Saints, Carshalton has a wireless (Bluetooth) connection (capability) with the pipework in the west end gallery following the recent Willis overhaul? www.willis-organs.com/carshalton_general.html Tony

There is a nice review from a mystery worshipper who was at Worcester for the occasion on The Ship of Fools at http://www.ship-of-fools.com/mystery/2014/2770.html Tony

Many thanks for the additional suggestions, and apologies for the tardy acknowledgement - just returned from time in Ludlow, and, yes, I did buy that DVD and am looking forward to watching it and listening to it! The Britten is a little outside of the scope of what I had in mind, I fear. The de Wert is interesting: something else I'd never heard of!! Tony

Many thanks, to you both, for the replies. Much appreciated, and I'll look into them. Does seem to be a general dearth of such musical material on the subject. Tony

I'm considering a concert in June next year on the theme of Parables. The core of this would be WS Lloyd Webber's The Good Samaritan and Shutz's The Pharisee and the Publican (in English). I need to pad it out a bit beyond these two works, but am struggling to find music that fits the theme. The concert would be accompanied by the organ, and, apart from anything else, hymn suggestions would be good. Able but amateur SATB choir. Has any one any thoughts they might be prepared to offer. There seems to be nothing helpful I could find elsewhere on-line. Many thanks, in hopeful anticipation. Tony