John Robinson
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Posts posted by John Robinson
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It would be nice to get back to York, just as soon as anyone is aware of what changes are planned to the organ. ?
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"The aim is to ensure the unique sound of the Minster’s organ is preserved, while restoring the grander, imposing qualities of the instrument which were altered during work in the 1960s."
I wonder whether this implies the removal, in part or in whole, of the additions made by Dr Jackson at that time. These were to "make the instrument more musical" and included the insertion of several mutations absent beforehand. Even today, I believe that mutations are generally regarded as essential.
On the other hand, I do hope that the (in)famous Tuba Mirabilis is not disposed of! A unique sound, and loved by many.
I look forward with interest to the publication of the intended changes to the stop list.
As for "changes to the organ case to both improve how it looks and the sound it allows out", I believe that reflective roofs were added above the case several years ago for that reason. Perhaps it has been decided that this hasn't proved entirely successful. Another thing I'd be interested to hear when the time comes.
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Another one, which I am fortunate to possess, is one LP in a set of five: OR-EX 71 featuring pieces by Fischer, Froberger, Kerll, Muffatt and Kolb. Very helpfully, it includes detailed registration information for each of those pieces.
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'Oktavered' or perhaps 'octavered': I think are good explanatory terms! I expect to see them in the next edition of the OED.
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When we were married in 1987 my wife-to-be came in to Charpentier's Te Deum, which I had requested. Only a small parish church in Bradford, but the organist was excellent.
We couldn't afford a trumpeter as well, thougn.
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9 hours ago, Pablo Cepeda said:
From the information I've received from organists in Sevilla, there were 2 reasons for the high fine:
1. Having restored the organ, out from the official procedure, and not with the builder that wins most of the contracts.
2. Imposing such a high fine, it was very likely that the nuns could not pay the fine and consequently they would lose the building and it would end in the hands of the regional government.
If true, I think that's nasty. Perhaps it is the same people who are trying to snatch Gibraltar from our hands.
They won't get it!
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I'm pleased for the nuns. Hopefully, the organ was restored to good condition!
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On 27/03/2018 at 08:51, Choir Man said:
Weingarten has always fascinated me as one of those mechanical marvels with many different bits in different places. The photo from the conductor's position shows many of the access panels that are required.
Yes, I too find Weingarten a fascinating organ. A couple of other interesting things about it are that whereas most of the instrument is played by tracker action (which must be quite complicated in layout), the Kronwerk section is connected to the Oberwerk by (presumably lead) conduits. The other thing that comes to mind is that there is one rank of pipes, I think a Vox Humana in the Rückpositiv, that is made of ivory. Not too many of them around these days, I'm sure!
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23 hours ago, Zimbelstern said:
Yet today, it seems, we are adopting the American usage of the term - anyone teaching in an institution of higher education is a “professor”, even if delivering only the occasional lecture or class on a casual basis (in which case one is a “visiting professor”).
I believe that some British universities have now adopted the title of 'Associate Professor' in place of the traditional 'Reader' appointment, perhaps because it sounds more important! I think that British adoption of American terms and language is increasing, no doubt because of the influence of American TV programmes and films and, of course, the Internet.
How long before our honours classifications are replaced by 'Cum Laude', 'Magna Cum Laude' and 'Summa Cum Laude', I wonder?
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13 hours ago, Damian Beasley-Suffolk said:
In some countries, Germany for example, any titles are part of your name and have to be used formally. Those who have honourary doctorates have as their title Dr. h.c, for "honoris causa". That's clear, and allows people to draw their own conclusions.
Yes, and interestingly (in this country anyway) more doctorates awarded h.c. have the right to wear a nice, bright predominantly scarlet robe, whereas those who have earned their doctorate by academic means (eg, PhD, EdD, etc) have rather less 'showy' robes! Fair? Well, it really doesn't bother me, my having neither!
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This book is well worth it. Sadly, I bought mine before the free DVD was on offer!
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Thanks VH. Very enlightening.
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Bearing in mind how names change over time, is it possible that they were referring to a Cornet?
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I thought I'd try this out and typed in 'pipe organ instrument' (without the quotes), bearing in mind that if you should mention the word 'organ' to the man in the street you are likely to end up discussing something completely unrelated to musical instruments! Every one of the links on the first page was, in fairness, pertinent to the pipe organ.
Predictably, I suppose, all three adverts at the top of the page were for digital organs or keyboards.
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Nor me.
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13 hours ago, Choir Man said:
Apologies for the typo, should be 30 stops.
Ah, that makes more sense.
That would provide 1,073,741,823 possible sounds then. Quite an acceptable choice!
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14 hours ago, ajsphead said:
A single drawstop can draw whatever you want it to with electric stop action. With mechanical stop action, one drawstop can still be made to draw more than 1 slide.
There are also many instances of the 2 main designated beating ranks being on adjacent slides and the effect working perfectly well. It does occasionally require a little more skill from the tuner.
Thanks, I suspected as much. I have seen a cross-section image of a soundboard on which sit two adjacent strings including a celeste rank, so I assumed it must work.
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23 hours ago, sprondel said:
the only condition being that the ranks are positioned sufficiently far apart from each other.
I wonder what happens with a 2-rank stop, such as Unda Maris I-II 8'
Would these ranks be positioned well apart from each other, bearing in mind that they would, presumably, be on the same slider? I'm sure someone here will know for sure.
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5 hours ago, Choir Man said:
As for the organ itself, judging from the photos it's a 3 manual 3 stop model like their G330, whether it has been custom built or off the shelf is not mentioned.
3 stops?!
Well that would provide, by my calculations, a maximum variety of sounds amounting to no less than SEVEN! (23)-1
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9 hours ago, DaveHarries said:
That is how I put the petition into English as well John. Frankly I don't blame him either: a place such as St. Peter's, Rome is the last place I would expect to find an electronic organ.
Dave
I agree. However, although I have never heard it, I believe that the pipe organ there can only be described as pretty weedy anyway. That place really needs a big organ and, as has been said, one that can shout down the tourists!
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11 hours ago, DaveHarries said:
Through a link on the "Organs of Paris" group on Facebook I have been made aware of this. Sounds like the organ at this most sacred of places of worship is not in good condition but, either way, I hope that this installation, if it has already been done, is not a permanent thing. Either way a petition has been set up which is written in Italian so you will need a translator to read it.
It appears that St. Peter's Basilica, Rome has acquired an electronic organ!!
Using Google Translate, I see that the author is 'not completely in favour' of the use of a toaster in St Peter's!
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23 hours ago, David Drinkell said:
Henry Willis 4 told a party of students visiting the Petersfield works in about 1977 that one shouldn't blow into reed pipes because the alcohol on one's breath corroded the brass.
Clearly, he knew students and their proclivities!
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On 28/12/2017 at 22:13, Contrabombarde said:
I do worry a bit about organs whose pipes are within reach of curious or malicious hands
You should visit the new organ in Manchester Cathedral.
Some of the pedal pipes are easily within reach of anyone in a side chapel - even the 32' reed tuning springs!
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7 hours ago, P DeVile said:
We tend to blow hot air... no jokes please... which affects the pitch of the pipe which you have blown into and so then takes ages to cool down so you can put it back into tune again. Same goes for just picking them up. I would add that it isn't so important if you want to pick up a 16ft Violone and blow down it!
Hope all have had a good Christmas
Peter
Yet you see voicers blowing into pipes actually within the organ (rather than in the voicing shop)!
Books about organ
in The Organ
Posted
I first saw that book at the local library about 40 years ago and enjoyed reading it. I have often thought about obtaining a copy but, of course, it is now out of print. Imagine my joy when I saw second hand copies available on your link.
I have just bought a copy from Amazon for a little over £20. Thanks for the link!