John Robinson
-
Posts
1,060 -
Joined
-
Last visited
Posts posted by John Robinson
-
-
You could try doing what I have done and have dual operating systems that can be chosen at startup. For the majority of tasks, I find Windows 7 better than any previous version, but there is one particular piece of custom software that I wish to retain, which is not compatible with Windows 7, and the dual boot option lets me do so. I also have the option of XP Pro working as a Virtual PC within Windows 7. It is convenient for quick tasks, but it does not always respond instantly so is not quite so good for editing.
JC
Thanks, John. That's a good idea. I could, presumably, just install a previous version of Windows on a different partition. I'll look into that.
I agree that Windows 7 is a big improvement on Vista.
-
Sorry - rather off the strictly organ track - my new pc operates on Windows 7 and the up to date version of Audacity will not record 'anything' played on the pc as was the case on my last machine. The drop down menu in Audacity preferences says that there is no input device - so what do I need to do to connect the pc to Audacity - so to speak? I have tried Windows troubleshooter and it just suggests plugging in a mic - which is not what I need to do. On line forum details are very complex and seemingly written by experts for experts!
Sorry I cannot help. However, I just wanted to mention that I, too, found Windows Help of no help whatsoever when I had a different (unrelated) problem. Also, my (admittedly old) scanner will not work with Windows 7, even in 'compatibility mode'.
-
The Canterbury programme looks very strange to me.
Malcolm
Why strange?
(Oh, and before anyone asks, that John Robinson is not me, sadly.)
-
My St Paul's DVD has just arrived. I think Priory must have been sending them out in batches but, if so, I am pleased that they have sold so many. An excellent DVD and an excellent organ.
However, and I may be completely wrong here, I have a feeling that in the 'bonus feature' description of the organ the pipes of the Solo Corno di Bassetto and the Solo Cor Anglais may have been 'highlighted' on the pictures the wrong way around. I would have thought that the Corno di Bassetto was the shorter one and 'stopped', whilst the Cor Anglais would be longer and open.
I'm not intending to 'pick nits' here, just interested. If anyone who has the DVD has the patience to look, please tell me whether I'm right or wrong.
-
Oh dear oh dear oh dear - the stereo-type for Liverpool isn't accurate these days I'm afraid, especially for the City Centre, basically quite close to where we are. Your car will be safer here than in many other places even according to 'official' statistics for car crime: apparently Manchester, London and Birmingham are worse, by far.
As to parking here: there are about 15 spaces on the main road (St. Anne Street) at the front of the building, you can park all the way up the street to the left side of the building (Birkett Street), there is also then the road which runs round the back of the building to our loading entrance (Mansfield Street) and if all that space is occupied, there is Richmond Row, which is 50 yards to the left of the building in St. Anne Street.
Visitors might also like to know that we are 6-8 minute's walk from Lime Street Station, St. George's Hall, The Walker Art Gallery etc..
DW
Many thanks for the information, and for putting on the open day.
Despite MM's comments, I have no worries about leaving my car unattended! Last time I was there, Liverpool seemed to be a very friendly place.
-
==============
I find Liverpool quite good for parking off the main thoroughfares, the only difference being that you have to pay a parking-fee to the locals kids, who will then watch your hub-caps/alloy-wheels for you.
MM
Oh dear. Luckily, I drive a Skoda. Yes, really, I do! I bought it on the grounds that no-one would be interested in nicking it and so far, touch wood, it has worked. Despite that, it's the best car I have ever owned.
Seriously, I have looked at the local area on Google Earth but, unfortunately, car parks are not a feature of that programme.
-
What MPK didn't say and what isn't announced on our website is that we've commissioned a Special Brew from the George Wright Brewery in St. Helens, for the occasion and this will be administered free-of-charge to needy travellers! Any members intending to come might therefore consider the train!!
DW
A bonus! I'll get my long-suffering wife to drive!
A question, if I may, which may be of interest to others as well. Is there somewhere convenient to park nearby?
-
Well, I still haven't received mine (the St Paul's btw). I'm beginning to worry that good old Royal Mail have lost it!
-
My copy of the St Paul's DVD arrived 2 or 3 weeks ago - very shortly after the Gillian Weir one.
Malcolm
Two weeks ago?
Then I hope that mine arrives very soon!
-
Although Passau appears not to have tilted manuals at first glance, I would say that some tilt can be seen on a couple of photos of the 5-manual Eisenbarth console.
The four manual mechanical action console definitely has tilted keyboards if the cross-sectional diagram in the Schnell & Steiner publication is anything to go by.
-
No one has mentioned Atlantic City yet? Looks really steep!!
And how would you fancy your turning pages, let alone look at a score!! 
And I'm sure you'd get a crick in the neck.
-
Dear-oh-dear-oh-dear. You really must write a letter of complaint to the Dean and Chapter. They should be made aware of your experience and you deserve an explanation. I daresay any reply you get will be an anodine one designed to calm stormy waters, but you never know what silent repercussions it may have behind the scenes.
I do hope that you write to the Dean and Chapter. I, for one, would be very interested to hear their reply.
With the Church of England being concerned about falling numbers of participating members, I'm surprised at this attitude. Do they really want to discourage people from attending? Are they only interested in retaining 'certain' members?
-
DAB (Digital Radio) has been sold to us on the grounds that it provides radio channels for ethnic minorities, alternative music and those with more diverse interests.
I wonder; what about a Hymn channel? Or how about an organ and church music channel, to include morning service, choral evensong, and other appropriate material? Then, perhaps on the 5th Sunday of the month, the Happy-Clappies could be allowed some of their own music.
(No doubt they would want to take it over for themselves.)I may be biased, but I would imagine that such a channel would be far more popular than most people would ever want to admit. Like other classical radio channels, one might not want to listen to it all day every day, but it would be wonderful to have it on hand.
If the TV licensing authorities can provide porn channels on Terrestrial television I would have thought that a request for a hymn and church music channel on DAB radio would be entirely justified.
No doubt it would need to be funded by advertising, but that itself could create some interesting sponsorship opportunities.
Certainly not! They can start their own channel.
-
Now here's a little bit of English joy to share, even if the music is "Aux Francais."
When you listen to this, you can't help but wonder where it all went so wrong after the turn of the century, because this is one of the finest organs I have heard and played.
MM
Everyone seems to be walking in through the door and down the nave since John Scott Whiteley set the trend!
-
Has anyone received their St Paul's one yet? It said for issue in September - not much time left!
I ordered one at the same time as the Gillian Weir, or rather my wife did (for my birthday - on 3rd of August!). As far as I know it has not been released yet but, as you say, its arrival should be imminent - I hope.
-
Just received my copy of Gillian Weir's 'The King of Instruments'.
Well done, Priory!
So much nicer to watch a clear picture and listen in stereo compared to my ancient VHS recording.
-
'Couldn't care less' v. 'could care less'. Personally, I couldn't care less which(!)
Lets forget our differences and, instead, adopt the phrase uttered by Captain Bligh (was he played by Trevor Howard?) in Mutiny on the Bounty:
" It is of supernatural indifference to me..."
-
York Minster Organ photographs were taken earlier in the year when I went up to play and rummage around. It is vast in every way and the distance between the 32ft in the North Aisle must be a good 100ft or more away from the 32ft reed secreted away in the aisle of the South Transept. There are pipes everywhere in all sorts of positions. There is even a roof over newish pedal upper-work stashed in the screen with the odd pipe cut through the lid of it. The screen console is gloriously encased with wooden carvings and vaulting and is all rather spectacular. You can see I enjoyed myself by having a glance if you like at the pictures. There are a couple of close-ups of the famous Tuba too.
Best wishes,
Nigel
Always good to see the normally inaccessible insides of this organ. Thank you Nigel.
-
All,
That FJ quote sounds intriguing - remember though that he is known for his sense of humour and general mischief! Did he mean a nave of 10 people? I have heard some very funny stories concerning his time at York, but perhaps we should leave those for another day!
Regards,
Tosher
No. I don't think it was humour, or even mischief! The leaflet is dated 1974 and he was describing the 1960 changes (as part of a brief history of the instrument) noting the various improvements. It was all written in a very matter-of-fact way.
I'd be interested to know how effective the Choir organ is in the nave, never having had the privilege of hearing it thus. Perhaps some people on here have. I understand, incidentally, that reflecting boards were positioned above the organ with a view to improving the sound.
-
I agree with MM. I suspect the quire is the best place to hear the organ in balance, especially the Choir organ.
It is interesting to note, however, that Francis Jackson, in a leaflet about the organ published prior to the Coffin alterations/additions, states that "...it is now possible to accompany a nave full of people on nothing more than the Choir Organ with its high-pitched Cymbal..." (this latter stop now, of course, has been removed).
I wonder just how effective the Choir organ is in the nave, it being on the other side of the organ. Moreover, I have heard that the sound of the organ fails to carry appreciably into the nave, so how the Choir organ alone (even with a Cymbal) can accompany a nave full of people beats me!
I too, incidentally, very much enjoyed FJ's recital.
-
Her daughter would not have been amused. She doesn't like loud organs. I know this not only because of tales about the west end Trumpets at St Paul's, but because I, personally, once offended her by accompanying the psalm too loudly one Easter Sunday morning (so I was informed, indirectly, after the event). I'm sure I was meant to be extremely disconcerted by this, but in fact it was a considerable comfort because, from that moment on, I knew that whoever's toes I might step on as I went though life, I wold always be able to say, "Look, Chuck, I've upset more important people than you in my time."
Yes. How ungrateful of her. I'm assuming they were named with her in mind!
-
I like both the pieces heard in the film 'Battle of Britain' although, if I am not to be considered disloyal, I prefer the Luftwaffe one to the RAF one!
I don't suppose either has been transcribed for organ, though.
-
Francis Jackson is doing a recital in York Minster this Saturday. He has known this organ from the 1930s, and possibly before!
His programme can be found at this interesting link, which I found yesterday: http://organrecitalobserver.blogspot.com/
Regards
We just got back from this enjoyable recital. I can't believe that the 'grand old man' is still performing so well at 92 years old.
There was an impressively large audience. Did anyone else from here go?
-
I'm afraid the BBC is a law unto itself. Perhaps if and when the licence fee is reduced or removed, they will have to resort to advertising which may put the ball back in our court.
Pigs might fly, though!
And how would you fancy your turning pages, let alone look at a score!! 
(No doubt they would want to take it over for themselves.)
Willis Open Day
in General discussion
Posted
May I also offer my thanks to David and his colleagues for a very interesting visit to the organ factory and, of course, for the excellent beer. I had a half of each and thought the Rotunda was the better of the two.
I'd like to thank, in particular, Joji Shiga who gave us (I dragged along my long-suffering wife) a very informative tour of the metal shop.
I was interested, by the way, to see that Willis seem to do a sideline in Rolls Royces!
Thanks, David, for a very enjoyable day.