John Robinson

I'm really pleased that someone took the trouble to issue this excellent TV series on DVD. Perhaps that same someone could somehow manage to do the same for Gillian Weir's 'King of Instruments', originally broadcast on BBC, because sure as h*** the BBC won't!

Thanks. I think I'll go with Amazon: PAL, Region 2, and cheaper into the bargain!

I, too, recorded these programmes on to VHS when they were first broadcast, but shall be buying this DVD when available on the assumption that the quality will be better. Thanks for the 'heads up'!

Do you have a link?

Yes, it is just downloading the data, and this depends not only your own system's speed but also that of the server from which the data is coming. Personally, to avoid disappointment I download the entire file, do something else for a few minutes (Spider Solitaire, cup of tea, toilet!), then come back and watch the video without any pauses.

It just goes to show that art transcends war.

I was about to say that I am sure there must be several tubas in America which would appear between '0' and '1' on the OP's list.

What a shame! I was finding the 'loudest tuba' thread quite interesting. Isn't it bad manners to hijack a thread?

I'm not sure why you put Liverpool's Tuba Magna in at number one. Some would say that the Tuba Mirabilis at York Minster is louder (John Scott Whitely implies so on Priory's DVD). I have heard both, but would hesitate to commit myself. For one thing, it is impossible to hear both, in situ, at the same time. Another important consideration is the matter of location - where you are sitting; I should imagine that this would have quite a bearing on perceived loudness. I suppose the only objective way of ascertaining some sort of hierarchy would be to visit each venue with a 'sound meter' (decibel meter?) and ensure you are the same distance directly in front of the offending article! Regarding the Liverpool Tuba Magna, incidentally, didn't Ian Tracey say that the new(-ish) Trompette Militaire was now the loudest stop on the organ? I don't know whether you would extend your survey to such a free-toned stop... which raises another question: when does a tuba become a trumpet? Surely, there is a spectrum of sounds from the one to the other.

Many thanks. I have just ordered it!

Silly me! Still, I don't like it. When I first saw it I thought it was one of those clever 3D pictures - I even got it to work, after a fashion!

Yes. Perhaps OK for a 'history' page, but not for the home page!

With regard to the organs of Klais, no-one seems to have mentioned the Symphony Hall in Birmingham (although it is mentioned in Stephen Bicknell's article). Having heard it myself, I can agree with others who have said how impressed they were by it. Certainly, I think it is much more successful than the Marcussen in the Bridgewater Hall not a million miles from where I live. Having heard a recital last year in Cologne Cathedral, I personally like the Klais style. As suggested by others, it seems to work well in large buildings. I cannot comment on its suitability in small venues, though.

I agree that it was W T Best. The version I heard had him replying, "Damn the organ, let it play!"

When I first read this, I assumed that this was to be re-tuning rather than re-voicing. Could I ask why the reeds should need to be re-voiced? I thought that this organ was very well voiced as it is, and that everyone was happy with it. Interesting to hear about the changes to the open woods, though. I didn't know that.

Surely, they meant tuning rather than 're-voicing' of the reeds?

Agreed. It is not that serious and, if it is indeed a general fault, there would be little point in replacing it anyway. Thanks for your help, by the way.

I'd prefer St Paul's, although I have heard that arranging recordings there is not too easy!

Although I am no expert, I feel it unlikely that the changeover of 'layers' would take place during a piece, and almost at the end too. I still hope to hear from someone else who has bought this disc, as to whether they have found the same problem at the same place. It occurs almost at the end of Master Tallis's Testament, in the final 'quiet bit'.

I have just tried cleaning the disc, although I cannot see anything that needed cleaning. The glitch is still there. I'd be grateful if anyone else who has obtained the DVD would let me know whether they have the same problem. If no-one has, then I shall feel justified in asking for a replacement. After all, once the recording, etc, has been done, pressing additional discs should cost only pence.

I liked it, especially the 32' reed at the end. I think it just shows that you don't need a foghorn on 20" pressure to sound grand. Just getting ready to watch tonight's instalment (at 11.20)! I'd still like to know when Series 3 DVD is coming out. I am relying on someone here to let us know just as soon as that happens. What I can't understand is that, having done all the expensive recording and editing, why won't they finish the job by pressing some DVDs? It surely can't cost much more than has already been spent.

Perhaps, although I would be surprised if such a thing has escaped Priory's quality control. If it is found on other discs, then obviously it is a common fault and I shall probably accept it. If, on the other hand, mine is an exception then it might pay me to ask for a replacement. Of course, it could be that the disc just needs cleaning (although this shouldn't happen with a brand new disc). When I have time, I shall have a go at some careful cleaning.

Yes, I got mine on Saturday and am very impressed, except... ...there seems to be a slight hiccup towards the end of Master Tallis's Testament. The picture freezes for half a second or so. I tried in on my laptop and there was a much shorter freeze at exactly the same point. I thought at first that it might be some dust on the disc, but it looks perfectly clear. Have you noticed anything similar? Even if it turns out to be a fault, I am not sure that it is serious enough for me to ask for a replacement. What do you think? John

Nothing to do with organs, I know, but I fully agree with you. There is something about M R James' ghost stories that I find atmospheric and sometimes quite gripping. The BBC has produced some of the more well known ones which, fortunately, I have recorded to DVD in case they are never shown again!

Whereas the Dome Tubas at St Paul's have been compared to 'red hot coals', the Manchester tuba obviously brings to mind red hot lava!