John Robinson

Looking at the picture, the only things visible seem to be the pipes from the stopped wood rank 'B' If anything was enclosed (in the house) I imagine it might have been the 'C' rank (strings) or the reeds, though I can't see any sign of a swell pedal in the photo.

Thanks. I assume all four ranks as listed were set up in the house as and where they could be fitted! A principal, a flute, a string and a reed. What more could one ask for?

Thanks. I've had a quick look through the site (and have visited several times before), but nothing yet apart from a different house organ which has been recently removed. I'm pretty sure it's a different one anyway. I may have a better look again later.

A strange layout and, looking at it, rather difficult to reach at least some of the pipes for tuning. A shame that the new owner wants to ditch the organ. It would be nice to hear that it's up for sale, though. I wonder what the specification might be.

I'm looking forward to this.

I was indeed being funny, as I am an atheist and highly unlikely to join either the RC church or the CofE! Strange, I suppose, that someone so interested in organs is not in the least bit religious.

What immediately grated with me was the phrase "comprises of", which estate agents seem to use in preference to the correct alternatives of "comprises" or "is comprised of". Sorry! Just my hobby horse!

"The organ’s primary role, however, has been to enhance the daily services of the cathedral, fulfilling the mandate of Vatican II, which stated that ‘[the] pipe organ is to be held in high esteem, for it is the traditional musical instrument which adds a wonderful splendour to the Church’s ceremonies and powerfully lifts up man’s mind to God and to higher things’. Capable of providing gentle aid to prayer or a brassy fanfare for a civic procession, it can accompany anything from a solo chorister to an orchestra and a congregation of thousands." That's the first time I have heard of that. Bearing in mind how many CofE churches are now going all 'happy clappy', I may decide to become a Roman Catholic!

Thank you! I hope it all goes smoothly.

Any more news about the LTH organ rebuild, please?

Pencils, weights, rubbers? I believe that Keith Emerson often made use of a knife! 🤨

I'd go for one of my favourites: Flor Peeters, Lied to the Flowers. A particularly peaceful and pleasant piece to keep people awaiting the jab nice and calm. (Although if it's like the flu jab it's nothing to worry about.)

Excellent post! I don't really take much interest in who has been awarded this and who has been awarded that, but I'd hazard a guess that if examined closely it would demonstrate more than just an element of Londoncentricism! As for the peerage and the House of Lords, I see it these days as nothing more than a free and comfortable retirement home for politicians and their cronies.

Yes. Two completely different types of speaker system of course.

That reminds me of the lady sitting next to me at the first recital on the new Manchester Cathedral organ, who asked me where the speakers were.

Relieved and grateful to see the forum back up today after having disappeared at the beginning of 2021. Thank you to whomever was responsible for getting it back up and running.

Thank you SlowOrg. Can I assume that these (once uploaded on to a computer) can be used with any keyboard having a MIDI function? I'll pass these suggestions on.

Thank you David. That is very helpful. Only MIDI in and out, no through I'm afraid, but the encouraging thing is that Hauptwerk appears to be usable. Pedal board and swell pedal might come later. I'll pass on the information. Thanks again.

A friend of ours is thinking about buying a Yamaha CP88 with a view to him 'relearning the piano'. He is also interested in possibly looking at learning to play the pipe organ. I see that the unit he is thinking about includes MIDI in and out, and I am wondering whether I should mention Hauptwerk as a possible add-on. I know little about Hauptwerk other than the fact that some organists use it in their homes as a practice instrument. I assume that it is a matter of buying a 'box' of some sort and that this can be connected, via MIDI, to any electric keyboard. Is this true? Assuming this is a viable option, can anyone offer any further advice, please? Of course, there are limitations: a single 88 note keyboard, no pedal board, no swell pedal, etc.

Good idea. Perhaps an alternative game would be to ask for participants to choose one church or concert hall and get to keep the instrument (and the building it is housed in, of course)!

Yes. They did that at York Minster some years ago.

Plenty on catch-up (not live!), Prime and Netflix. In fact, a great deal more than on live TV these days. Of course, the Nine Lessons and Carols will be available on Radio 3 which, as you say, does not need a TV licence.

I cancelled my BBC Tax earlier this year. I have recorded Nine Lessons and Carols several times over the past years. I particularly like certain carols which crop up now and again. To be perfectly honest, I don't really listen to the lessons (or readings!).

True, but the recordings I have are of what I have always referred to as the Nine Lessons and Carols. I'm really not sure whether the 'lessons' are actually lessons or readings, as they are of little interest to me. It's the music I like.