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Shropshire Lad

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About Shropshire Lad

  • Birthday 01/07/1973

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  1. I agree with your post wholeheartedly Adnoshad. There is much stacked against the organ in general now and looking to the future. I can understand young aspiring musicians steering clear of the toxic mix you describe. I well remember my thoughtful organ teacher telling me that churches contain some of the most unchristian like people I’ve ever met. That was 35 years ago and it sounds that not much has changed! Organists I’m afraid are part of the problem. There seems to be a significant minority who are rather self opinionated and of the belief that their views are the only ones that count. Unfortunately as is so often the case those that shout the loudest tend to get heard. They seem to be rather similar to the trainspotting fraternity with their dogmatic “back in my day” attitude. A sweeping generalisation maybe but I’m sure you get the idea. I recently saw a discussion (now deleted I believe) on a social media group where Anna Lapwood was criticised for daring to give a concert on an electronic organ. This was disappointing. Anna Lapwood is a fine musician and one of the best at using the web/ social media to promote the organ and to bring it to the masses. I find her approach a breath of fresh air. I do wander whether the fact that she is a smart young lady was an underlying factor in the criticism she received? It was also pleasing to see some organists jumping to her defence too. How can many of us practice without an electronic instrument? I for one do not have regular access to a pipe organ but my home instrument is great for keeping my skills up to a reasonable level so that I can deputise here and there when possible. I’m sure many others are in the same position. This is far preferable to me than freezing my backside off in an unheated country church which was my only option in my days when learning the instrument. If I was a teenager interested in the organ, would I feel welcome reading some of the comments on discussion groups? It would appear that organists can be a pretty intolerant bunch. Healthy debate and a critical look at organ building is one thing but the constant wranglings I read don’t make it look a very appealing prospect for an outsider looking in. I have been a member of 5 different organist associations over the last 25 years. My experiences have been varied. I do feel sorry for the unseen heroes who put in much time and effort to arrange a meeting only for a handful of diehards to show up. I was a member of Gloucestershire organists association for a while and they were a very welcoming enthusiastic bunch. I was also a member of a neighbouring association where the committee were downright miserable and getting so much as pleasantries out of them seemed an effort. 4 of the 5 associations I have been a member of contained members who had been convicted of child related sex offences at one time or another. I was in disbelief when the matters were viewed by some as a ‘miscarriage of justice’ or ‘not that serious’! On the positive side, it is great to see organ builders such as Nicholsons and Harrisons & Harrisons carrying out some large and well informed projects like those at York and Leeds. It is just as heart warming to see small builders such as Gary Owens carrying out work all over the place with such great care and enthusiasm. Perhaps it up to all of us to try and promote the instrument in a more positive and constructive manner and to drown out some of the dissenting voices.
  2. I played the Keble organ prior to it being revoiced and liked it a lot. Admittedly the excellent acoustic in the building helps. How has the revoicing changed the sound and is it an improvement (subjective I know)?
  3. Thanks for sharing this. I've just listened Ben Sheen's recital. The organ is just amazing. Listening to the Healey Willan, the Tuba Mirabilis (I presume) at 49:36 is fantastic and has a real similarity in tone to the one at York Minster as heard on Francis Jackson's definitive recording of this piece.
  4. Perhaps it should go in the Bridgewater Hall.....
  5. I'm presuming that Christopher Allsop is moving on to pastures new from Worcester Cathedral? Anybody know where yet? He'll be very much missed, the choir speak very highly of him. He's also a very underrated organist and hopefully we'll get to hear more of his playing in the future to show off his talents.
  6. I've heard the instrument on numerous occasions and your summary is a pretty fair assessment. There are many beautiful colours to the instrument as you say but the chorus seems to lack warmth and the tone gets harsher as the volume increases. Interestingly when I heard Dr Francis Jackson play what must have been one of his last recitals on the instrument, he seemed to get the best out of the instrument registration wise and his phrasing was still excellent. The new instrument caused much debate on this forum and judging by the lack of discussion since may have not quite captured the imagination as one would have hoped. I guess it's all down to personal taste. I was surprised to hear that some revoicing work had taken place at Keble College which I thought sounded really good right from the off although the acoustic in the building there is exceptional which no doubt helps. It will be interesting to see how the well new Tickell in Manchester Cathedral is thought of in years to come. On the subject of Worcester Cathedral, I wander if there is any progress in delivering a working Nave/ Transept instrument any time soon?
  7. I made a very long trip to Hull to hear the wonderful instrument in the City Hall last Thursday. I must admit it exceeded all my expectations. Beautiful choruses that blended well, an excellent English full swell and a dazzling array of colours of varying intensities and a full organ to blow out the cobwebs! This surely must rank as one of our finest civic instruments. Roy Massey showed off the organ with great aplomb with a varied programme which demonstrated all aspects of the instrument. Bearing in mind Dr Massey gives relatively few recitals these days I guess it speaks volumes of what he thinks of the organ as its a long journey to Hull for him. I must admit I have a real soft spot for hearing our more "senior" organists who still give recitals to a very high standard - age is only a number after all. I made a promise to myself to visit more instruments this year particularly "up north". I've targeted Ripon Cathedral next. Does anyone have any suggestions for any instruments worth hearing in Northern England (excluding the North West which I've visited extensively).
  8. Thanks for all your help folks.
  9. I'm rather partial to A Fantasy by Darke. Does anyone have any knowledge of where I can source the sheet music? I have the CD of a fine recording of Darke's music by Roger Fisher but the music is proving to be elusive.
  10. I'm rather partial to A Fantasy by Darke. Does anyone have any knowledge of where I can source the sheet music? I have the CD of a fine recording of Darke's music by Roger Fisher but the music is proving to be elusive.
  11. I'm presuming that the Manchester Cathedral organ is now up and running. Has anyone on the forum heard the instrument and able to offer any opinion? I can't see any recitals planned as yet but hoping there will be some in the near future.
  12. I wish I had heard the old instrument prior to its removal. It sounds very colourful from this recording.
  13. This is such sad news. John Scott was one of the very top organists in the world without a doubt. I heard him play two recitals at the RAH a few years back. I remember saying to my father who was with me that this was the best recital I had ever heard and that I doubted even then that it would ever be bettered. It still hasn't and I doubt it ever will. it was one of those rare moments you wish you could have captured. Condolences to all his family but the wonderful memories will remain.
  14. I too have read Dr Michael Smiths book and have found it to be a thoroughly disheartening read. I think there are certain lessons in life and careers that are not appreciated in his account: 1. Life is not fair. 2. You make your own luck. 3. Positive people generally progress further in their chosen careers. 4. You don't become a Cathedral organist to be rich! Point 4 I have some sympathy with in view of how much hard work and dedication is required to achieve such a position especially when I see how much some relatively modest sports people and entertainers earn however I refer back to point 1! I have absolutely no doubt as to Dr Smiths ability and in a way feel a little sad that he will look back at his own career with a lot of regret. In his defence, I guess that the attitude of the clergy must have been incredibly frustrating at times and after so many years would have doubtless made one very defensive and intolerant in equal measures. The book is an interesting insight as to why there are so many very fine organists around who have chosen different career paths outside of the traditional Cathedral route.
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