John Robinson

Ditto at the RNCM - that wasn't you, was it? John

Although I am not an organist, this makes me very angry! My first thought was that you were just unlucky. My second thought was that this is probably not that unusual. The impression I get is that organists (at least in this country) are largely ignored and certainly not appreciated. Of course, this is nothing new. I'm sure everyone recalls the anecdote of the famous Best (at Liverpool) who, when it was announced that "the organ will now play", remained resolutely in his seat and responded, "damn the organ, let it play." If this were me, I think my reaction would be to emigrate - it seems that many other countries DO value their organists. Hang on! How many well-known figures in the organ world have done just that? I wonder if it was for that reason (or, perhaps, for the money!) John

When we get older... (Sorry! I assure you, I am only joking!) John

I have just received my latest Priory newsletter and catalogue. I was very pleased to read that, following the positive reception of their DVD of Liverpool Cathedral Organ (discussed elsewhere on this forum), they are to release a second DVD next year, this one featuring King's College, Cambridge. What is more, they are planning a third for release some time in the future (not specified), from York Minster. That's next year's birthday present sorted, and probably the following year too! John

Me too. Lots of pictures, please! John

Hear, hear. Despite being an atheist, I am a teacher at a CofE school which holds a Christian assembly, including Christian 'music', every day. Unfortunately, I have to say that by far the majority of our music is of the happy-clappy variety; the only one which I recognise from my childhood is 'Jesus Bids Us Shine' which has somehow found its way into our otherwise inane musical c**p. You are right. Personally, I can do little. I do teach my class 'Stille Nacht' (in German) every Christmas but, beyond that, the musical content of our offerings is beyond my control. Moreover, as has been said elsewhere in this thread, I am pretty sure that our modern society would find most of the traditional music I used to know and love 'old fashioned'. They say that 'what goes around comes around but, somehow, I doubt that it will! John

I should, perhaps, mention that the 'gap' in the Reubke from Cologne is not noticeable on the CD (unless you are following the score)! John

I think I have this CD. Is it the one from Copenhagen Radio Concert Hall, RAH and Cologne Cathedral? If so, the Reubke (from Cologne) has, I believe, a short section missing. According to the sleeve notes, this was because the recording engineer had to change over tapes (or something like that) during the live recital. Despite the audio quality, which you (MM) say is short of modern-day standards, I still enjoy listening to it. I have to admit, though, that I hadn't heard of him before either! John

And thank you, Mr Urbaniak. John

It was me! Many thanks for this. John

No problem. Many thanks. John

Thanks, MM and Barry. So, presumably, there is a slightly different composition and sound on each note, although each is not tuned to any particular notes. Come to think of it, I seem to remember seeing a picture of something along these lines somewhere. I wish I could remember where! I would dearly like to hear a sound sample, especially after MM comparing these to the York Tuba Mirabilis. I assume, then, that they are rather loud? John

Hear, hear. 'One o't sights o' Yorkshire', as someone once quoted. As no-one has dared to remove it or change it for over eighty years, it must have some merit! John

Do you have further details of the composition? Presumably, it would begin something like: 36 39 41 29 32 34 finishing in a low: 8 11 13 having octaves, elevenths and thirteenths throughout? In that respect, perhaps it was a very early version of the neo-baroque 'un-tredezime'? John

This is fascinating. Could you supply more information about these Polish cymbels, for example: - how many ranks/pipes per note? - did you mean that there there is only one group of pipes (on one block) which play whatever note is played? - are they tuned to any particular pitch? - do you know of any sound samples? - or locations? I'd love to know more. Just as an aside, did you see Michael Palin tonight? He was travelling through Poland. Part of the journey was by canal barge which, rather than utilise locks to make an ascent, was dragged by cable up a hillside to a higher level canal. Apparently, this system has been in use for 150 years. John

If 16' is not the unison pitch on the Pedal, why are 16' the most frequently found stops... even the only stop on some Pedal organs? John

Why come all the way to England? Visit Cologne! I believe that Klais toured locations in England for the very same reason before making several tubas for Cologne Cathedral organ. I think that there are other tuba installations in Germany as well as Cologne. I find it very interesting that our typically-English tuba sound seems to be becoming popular in Germany. John

I see civilisation stops north of the Humber! John

Thank you both very much for this information. It is interesting that, in both cases the flat 21st is lost at the top end, and only a third remains (apart from octaves and quints). John

Richard, I am very grateful for your reply and the trouble to which you have gone to establish these facts - especially your excursion into the organ case! Please don't apologise for not responding earlier; I'm sure that no-one expects you to be omnipresent! I think I estimated the height from the bases of the 'dummy' pipes to the top of the middle section of the case to be about 13'. I don't seem to have been too far out, as you (6') plus one-and-a-half of your hypothetical twin (9') would total about 15'. If you remove your head (as your counterpart is standing on your shoulders), I should be even closer in my estimation! In your previous post you say that the 16' Diapason is on the east side of the case (presumably adjacent to the choir) and that its tops are just visible above the dummy pipes whilst standing under the tower. Did you mean on the west side of the case? In any event, does that mean that it stands below the level of the bases of the dummy pipes, or that it is less than full length (presumably at least 17', including feet)? Much information with regard to the disposition of the organ can, of course, be gleaned from the excellent publication 'The Organs of York Minster', but the additional information which you have kindly supplied is very much appreciated. May I say that I am very pleased to hear that you are getting a cymbelstern. I wonder whether this was prompted by JSW's experiences whilst recording '21st Century Bach'!* Although it is essentially a 'baroque' stop, I should imagine it would work well enough with quieter combinations on the Minster organ. I look forward to hearing it, perhaps at Christmas 2008? *Sorry to trouble you on another topic, but do you know whether the issue of Series 3 on DVD is imminent? They have shown some programmes (from Amorbach) recently on the telly. Many thanks John

This is well and good, but I also would like to know the answer to the initial question. Assuming from C1 to C37 is 15 17 19 21 22, what happens above C37? Did it break back once, one octave, to 8 10 12 14 15? Did it break back several times, by lesser amounts - e.g., 12 14 15 17 19, etc? Does anyone know any actual examples? John

Yes, he did! I am watching it now - the additional material re. the organ, programme, etc, at the moment. Is he really leaning on the Choir manual?! John

Or perhaps an early Xmas present?! Yes, I had heard about the Father Willis / Willis III misunderstanding, and am glad they sorted that out. It would have niggled me! John

I envy you. My wife sent for one for my birthday (3rd August) and I am still waiting for it. When she telephoned them, Priory said something about having to send stock back to the suppliers (?) because of faulty packaging. John

No, I'm afraid I haven't. I had assumed that this would have to remain one of the great unsolved mysteries of the universe as, having 'resurrected' the thread once, I was reluctant to do so again in case it might be seen as bad mannered. I am very grateful to you for doing that on my behalf (not that I am suggesting that you are bad mannered of course)! This question is still niggling me, but I do not wish to mither Richard or anyone else who may be in the know as I am sure they are busy people with more important things to do. You may be assured that, should I happen to find the answer elsewhere I shall apprise you of it here. In the meantime, my bet is that it is adjacent to the Great chests with the longest five or six pipes mitred. Best wishes John