John Robinson
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Posts posted by John Robinson
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Yes, they were, but these amounted only to one or two pieces extracted from each of the six programmes and, as far as I know, did not include any of the dialogue. Just another organ music CD (not that I have anything against them!), and not a documentary/educational programme.
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I, too, would like a good quality recording of 'The King of Instruments'. I did record it on to VT when first broadcast, but the quality is not what I would like.
I did, some time ago, contact the BBC to ask whether they could sell me a recording, but no. I think it's enough that they actually produced a series of programmes about the organ, and to publish a recording, preferably DVD, would be too much to expect!
If you should discover a DVD of this programme series, please be so good as to let me know.
John
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Very interesting.
I think the traditional Spanish measurement for organ pipe length was the 'palm'. I wonder why they didn't use Imperial units which, as you say, were at one time standard (if not exactly comparable in measurement) throughout Europe.
I am just waiting to see what happens when our masters in Westminster make Imperial units completely illegal:
Open Diapason 2438mm
Principal 1219mm
Twelfth 812mm
Just flows off the tongue, doesn't it?
Don't laugh - it may well happen!
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Yes, the Cologne Cathedral nave organ does look impressive and is in an acoustically advantageous position.
Apparently, they were not allowed to attach the organ to the nave wall or in any way alter the fabric other than to make holes in the vaulting to accommodate the supporting cables, which are supported from large steel girders in the loft. The organ simply rests against the nave wall.
Strangely, it has a carved wooden clown-like thing which can be released from beneath the Positive section at appropriate moments! I'm not sure of its significance (probably some local custom or personality?), but am very surprised to find such a thing in a Roman Catholic cathedral.
Incidentally, I contacted Klais to see if they had produced a book (along the lines of 'Ein Hauch, Ein Ton' - see above posting - which I purchased a couple of years ago) about the rebuilt transept organ. They have not, but I believe are trying to persuade the cathedral authorities to do so. In the meantime, they were kind enough to send me a leaflet providing certain details and plans of the revised instrument - unfortunately in German only, but nevertheless very interesting. Would that it were possible to obtain such things for all organs!
The Vox Balenae 64' (voice of the whale?) is derived from the new (wooden) Principal 32', and has no pipes of its own, which prompts me to wonder why, if this type of resultant requires only separate pallets and some extra wiring, such stops are not included in all 32' organs!
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I wouldn't say that the (Cologne) Nave organ does a 'better' job than the Transept organ, though I haven't heard them 'live'. They just sound different, at least on my recording. If anything, the Transept organ sounds 'bigger'. Isn't it difficult to put sounds into words?!
Incidentally, the rebuilt Transept organ now includes an acoustic 64' and some high pressure tubas - although these sound (to me) rather more French than English.
Anyway, it's now way past my bedtime!
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The 1998 Nave organ at Cologne supplements, rather than replaces the 1948/1956 Transept organ, which was altered in 2002. Both are now playable from a 4 manual console in front of the Transept organ. The specification of the re-organised Transept organ is available on the Klais web-site (www.klais.de/).
I suggest you obtain the CD: Motette CD 12191 which includes music on both organs (individually and together) and which, in my opinion, is excellent. It also contains an informative 38 page booklet in English as well as German.
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Many thanks. This works perfectly.
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Can anyone advise me as to the composition of the Aliquot II-III at Cologne Cathedral (Transept Organ)?
I believe that the lower/lowest rank is 1', but have no idea what the second and third ranks may be, although I suspect they may be something along the lines of the elevenths and thirteenths which were popular in German neo-baroque organs.
It is part of the Solo division, which also contains the usual mutations, including a seventh and ninth.
Whilst on the subject of this organ, does anyone know where Klais put the new (2002) Principal 32'? In the notes of a recently published CD, it is said to be full length, open and on display, though I cannot see it on any of the included photographs!
Many thanks,
John Robinson
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Is it just me (or my browser), or is it not possible to scroll down the entries on this discussion board?
In the Nuts and Bolts section, for example, the list of postings runs to the bottom of the screen and, presumably, beyond. I can find no scroll bar.
I'm just worried that I'm missing something!
Many thanks,
John Robinson
Adding Digital Stops To Existing Instrument..
in Nuts and bolts
Posted
I completely agree with the sentiments that digital stops and digital organs as a whole are a cheap and inferior substitute for the real thing.
Quite apart from the sound which, to some extent must be subjective, a factor which appears not to have been considered is that a pipe organ, provided that it is well maintained, may well appreciate in value over a (long) period of time, whereas digital organs quickly deteriorate by all accounts.
Look at all the priceless historical organs of Europe. Can you imagine this situation pertaining for digitals in, say, a couple of hundred years?!