John Robinson

I see. The nave stalls are, of course, at the east end of the nave and I'm not surprised to hear that the organ was sufficiently effective at that point. However, I am led to believe that its effectiveness falls off as one progresses to the other end of the nave. I suppose the question should be asked as to whether it is necessary for it to be heard well in that part of the nave anyway, and how often the situation of a completely full nave occurs. In any event, Hill thought it necessary and added his nave organ. I'm not sure why it was disposed of at the turn of the century, but it's a shame that it was. Perhaps they needed the money!

Very interesting and informative, David, especially the 'gender changes'! May I ask where in the building you (and your choir) were located on those occasions? From what I have heard, it is still lacking somewhat in the nave. Of course, there is still bound to be the very common 'keeping in time' problem found in large cathedrals with long naves, so I'm sure York could do with a nave organ regardless. Perhaps if I should ever win an enormous sum in the Lottery. Unlikely though, I'm afraid, as I don't do it!

Yes, the York nave organ disappeared when Walkers rebuilt the organ in 1904. From then, it was soon discovered that the screen organ was not entirely successful in the nave; if it were to be made louder (as it was for a time) in order to be heard properly in the nave, it would be far too loud in the choir. So, in around 1917, I believe, the Tuba Mirabilis was added which (to quote Carlo Curley) will 'part your hair at 100 paces' right down the nave and could, I suppose, be used sparingly if the nave congregation was drifting off! Of course that was, and still is, far from ideal and they have been talking about adding a new nave organ for some time. Money, I suppose. One day, perhaps!

Not too uncommon. The almost defunct organ in my childhood's church has one: http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=N02680

Reim. As far as I'm aware, in German 'Reim' translates as 'rhyme'. On the other hand, I googled 'reim' and it is, apparently: "A strip of oxhide, deprived of hair, and rendered pliable, - used for twisting into ropes, etc." Neither seems to bear any resemblance to organ pipes unless, of course, they were made from a type of shaved and pliable ox hide (I wonder how well they would keep in tune), or if they might rhyme - sound similar to - another stop!

Many thanks SL.

I've searched all over the BBC Radio i-player web site and I can't find it. I don't suppose you have a link, do you?

This kind of bad manners annoys me, and I am of the opinion that it is just one example of how manners have deteriorated generally over the decades. Society is changing for a number of reasons. We can bemoan it, but I doubt we can do anything to change it unfortunately.

I suspect I'm correct in saying that, to many people, organ music is at best simply background music (as you'd hear in supermarkets!) or at worst nothing more than noise! I find that attitude particularly annoying as other genres of music seem to be more respected.

Thanks for that, Friedrich. I'm very grateful for your going to all the trouble to find that information, something that I have been searching for for some time. In fact I'd almost given up. I, too, would like to hear it. Perhaps one day. Herr Boenig's (presumably) description of it sounding 'exotic and somewhat odd' is particularly intriguing.

I completely agree.

Thanks, Friedrich, for this very informative response. Of course, the main organ now also has the help of the 'new' (well, 18 year-old now) nave organ in filling the large space with sound. I do agree with you about the west end tubas. Although I have only heard them on recordings, I feel they are not a patch on traditional Willis tubas or, indeed, those at Münster Cathedral which I have heard in 'real life'. Regarding the Cologne mutations, do you happen to know the composition of the Aliquot II-III which I believe is still present? At the risk of overdoing my questions(!), my wife and I are going to the Black Forest on Friday for a few days. Do you happen to know of any particularly good organs to have a look at (and listen) in that region? We shall be staying in Offenburg and visiting as many places as we can manage; certainly Freiburg.

On the subject of 'missing mutations', I have often wondered about the logic applied in this manual department in Cologne Cathedral. It has, of course, been altered since (in 2002) and the mutations seem more logical now, but I assume there must have been some purpose in creating this list. I should add that there is no sign of a 2 2/3' in either the Tertian (1 3/5' + 1 1/3') or the Aliquot (1' + ?). IV OBERWERK Quintade 16' Principal 8' Grossgedackt 8' Viol di Gamba 8' Octave 4' Koppelflöte 4' Hohlflöte 2' Octävchen 1' None 8/9' Grosse Septime 8/15' Tertian II Aliquot II-III Mixtur V-VI Quintcymbel III Bombarde 16' Trompett Harm. 8' Rohrschalmei 8'

Ah, but where there are height limitations... !

Along the lines of organ pipes and cars, I remember a previous car I owned had a sun roof which, when open and travelling at certain speeds, produced quite a powerful and deep pedal organ note inside the car. It was hard to specify a distinct pitch, but I swear it was within the 32' octave. How to produce a 32' pipe no longer than the interior of a small car! It brought to mind those 'cubes' I've read about.

I'm not an organist and don't very often receive questions, but one thing that does seem to crop up regularly is that many people are completely unaware that there are more pipes (in fact, the vast majority) inside. They think that what they see is what they get!

Perhaps it would make life easier (and less prone to mistakes) if such stops had a detent at the half-way point.

Society is changing!

I'm afraid that the British, or at least most of them, seem completely uninterested in the organ and its music.

Presumably for a very large and immovable chamber organ? I reckon it could contain about 80 stops, just to keep Liverpool a couple of steps in front of the Albert Hall!

Or even helium! I could suggest that to my wife, who is a mezzo but a wannabe soprano!

I think Mr Paril must be living on a different planet! Does he know how much xenon gas costs? Has he considered that, no matter how air(xenon)-tight enclosures are made, there will inevitably be leakages and the xenon would have to be replaced periodically. It would be cheaper to continue to make the 32' organ pipes (although it is debatable whether real 64' pipes are cost-effective). Then again, perhaps he is unaware that half-length 32' pipes (flue or reed) must come much cheaper than full-length versions and yet can sound very effective.

Money talks!

Did they give a reason? Does that mean that the girls' choir is being disbanded?