John Robinson

I agree. Although I am not religious now, and to be honest I probably never really was, I do remember enjoying Matins as a choirboy 'wen ah wer a lad'. Yes, I still enjoy religious music, choral and especially organ and it certainly is sad that all of this seems to be dying today. Sad, but nil desperandum, it may one day come back into fashion.

Well said. Especially no. 3!

As an atheist, I rarely attend services and even then only if there is a recital at the end. Sorry! However, I have found exactly the same thing and mentioned here such 'animated conversation of congregation members' at York Minster's Nine Lessons and Carols in December last year. It is very true that the majority of Brits seem to be indifferent to organ music which is why, no doubt, so many organs in this country are either being ditched or, if they are lucky, sold on to locations in Europe. In fact, it has often puzzled me: why only us and not other European countries?

Yes. That's exactly what I was intending to refer to, bearing in mind that this is an organ forum! There have been many discussions about churches installing carpets, etc., to the detriment of the acoustics and the sound of the organ. I'd be happy with a bit of soft padding on the seats of the pews, as they can be quite harsh on the bot, but that's all really. I see no need for carpets certainly and their cost could be better spent on maintaining the organ! Just my opinion, of course.

Cushions? Carpets? Aren't we all forgetting the organ?!

Rather belatedly, as I suspect that everything about this refurbished organ has already been discussed on here, but I'd now like to add my own first experience. My wife and I attended the Nine Lessons and Carols service in York Minster on the 22nd December. I was indeed impressed by the power of the new organ which sounded louder than I had ever heard it before, and we were sitting half-way down the nave. I remember having suggested on here some time ago that the organ might benefit from the further addition of a nave organ, but I now confess that I was completely mistaken and the organ is more than capable of leading a nave full of people, and that's without the Trombas and the Tuba Mirabilis. In fact I'd go further and say that I think it could easily overwhelm them if necessary, as evidenced by some old biddies behind us who were obliged to relinquish their planned chatter due to the post-service organ music! Oh, and the choir was very good too!

Still none the wiser, I'm afraid! I can only assume that they are slightly out of tune, though I'm trying to imagine how that would sound on an organ assuming that it is done intentionally for a specific effect. Perhaps one day there will be a recording on this, or perhaps another, instrument with microtonal stops.

The pipes don't appeal to me in the slightest. In fact, I'd say they are a gimmicky attempt at doing something different. The specification, however, looks very interesting as I'm sure will be the sounds produced. One thing I'd like clarification of, though, is what exactly are 'microtonal' pipes?

A one-hour documentary on YouTube regarding the new organ for Gothenburg Symphony Orchestra Hall: Largely in English, but elsewhere with English sub-titles. (I was right about the pipes under the floor, BTW!)

Thanks for this update. I see that there are some minor changes to the previous spec: The Choir has gained a Piccolo 1', and the Grand has lost its 16' Posaune and one of its mixture ranks. Also the Solo Unda Maris has been replaced by a Voix Eolienne, though I wonder whether this latter stop is the same other than a change of name?

I'm afraid that was MY confusion! As I said, I don't understand Swedish, so I probably misunderstood about the pipes' location. It looked as if they were under the floor anyway!

Did I see the Great Organ, with horizontal trumpets, in a swell box? Also, the 32' stopped flute under the floor: is that intended to create vibrations underneath the audience? (I don't speak Swedish, of course!)

Perhaps a mobile console nearer to the choir!

I'll second that! I haven't had time to watch the programme on YouTube as yet. I'm hoping that it won't be withdrawn too soon!

Perhaps one of those pipes with stoppers covering holes (as on a flute) to permit several notes from one pipe. Sorry, I forget the word I'm looking for right now. I'm losing my memory! Mind you, I think they were always flues. EDIT: Ah, yes. Polyphones. My memory came back.

True. I have an LP of St Paul's demonstrating just about every section of the organ. Bearing in mind such widely separated divisions as the Positive organ, the Dome Tubas and the West-end Royal Trumpets, and how each was reproduced so clearly, there is no way that all of these could possibly have been recorded using the same microphone(s) located in a central position! I'm sure they must have been moved around for the best effect.

Excellent. It is really gratifying that Leeds is able to attract such talent.

Excellent! I believe that is the problem with the lack of public interest in the organ in this country. I have spoken to friends who describe organ music as 'dirges' and 'all the same notes all the way through'! Yes, I think it would be great if more people could hear recitals such as you describe and by organists such as those you name. Jonathan Scott is another one who I think could certainly convert people to the organ. I think in many cases it just needs some 'non organ lovers' to be persuaded to hear the right music by the right people.

I'm afraid that is a perfectly possible future. Churches are closing right left and centre these days as the number of people who still regard themselves as Christians diminishes. It is quite possible that eventually all we shall be left with will be cathedrals and a few ancient churches of historical interest. Those people who would find themselves without a local church would probably go to their nearest surviving church or cathedral which, in a way, would at least provide more support for those buildings - and organs of course - which still remain. Personally, of course I'd much prefer it if more people in this country took more of an interest in organ music, and I often wonder why the instrument benefits from so much more interest and following in places like the Netherlands and Germany than here in the UK.

I agree. We are all entitled to our opinions and those electronic gadgets which I may not name are not, in my opinion, not in any way equal to the real McCoy.

Which one?

Did I read this correctly? The largest and most powerful pipe organ in the country and it needs a toaster in order to fulfil its function? 🤣

Actually, in that thread there is a quote from John Mander stating that the pipes are of 90.4% tin.

I may be wrong, but I'm sure I read somewhere that those 32' pipes were made of tin which, I assume, would be pretty strong certainly compared to lead or lead-tin. Perhaps, if so, they're just too thin! Incidentally, are they the pipes of the Violone or the Diapason?