Peter Clark

I have an Alleluia setting written in memory of Dom Alan Rees OSB, and in his style, which I think works quite well; useful for gospel processions. I also have just written a hymn tune to "For the Beauty of the Earth". They are in Music Publiser 7.1 but if anyone wants to see one or the other or both (and I'd be grateful for constructive comments) I can convert them to Word and send them as an attachment if I have e-mail addresses. Oh, I've written quite a bit more but these are the two which I am interested in people commenting upon at the moment. (I also have a piano piece just completed called Jane's Birthday Rag which speaks for itself!). (The Reproaches I mentioned in the first post on this thread is also "in print".) Cheers Peter

For bajonncillo, I'd say "bakhotheejo", the "j" being slightly softer than in English, the accent on the penultimate syllable. Peter

Does anybody remember a TV programme in the late 60s called Sanctuary? Ity was a kind of The Bill or Casualty but set in a convent. The reason I ask is that the theme tune was, probably inevitably, an organ piece, quite strident as I recall, and I wonder if anyone knows what it is called - or if they have the score.... even better! Thanks. I must say you are all very decent in putting up with my eccentric requests and comments! Peter

I saw the DVD of this last night, in which John Cleese plays (as usual) a maninacal character, ths time a headmaster obsessed with time. He describes his school as a "common or garden ordinary comprehensive" and the architecture suggests it was built in the 60s/early 70s. But the assembly hall has a pipe organ - prety rare I would have thought for a common or garden ordinary comprehensive of the 60s! The school is also called, mysteriously, Thomas Tomkins - so is there a musical message here? Does anyone know where it was filmed and if the organ was indeed real (in the film a pianist accompanies the hym at assembly)? Just curious, that's all. Peter

I just knew someone would rise to the bait! P

Yes I saw this - you beat me to it, David! But what with the programme Pulling out the Stops on R4 and this piccie in the Guardian, the organ seems to have got quite a bit of publicity this week - relatively speaking. BTW The Guardian seems to have been particularly musically minded this week as yesterday's crossword (Araucaria) was themed around Wagner operas.... Peter

Does anybody know exactly what this means? Peter

Did amybody hear this programme, featuring the Vienna Court Organist Martin Haselbock? It included a performance - unaccaountably talked over - of the recently discovered Bach Choral Fantasia (can't remember the BWV number but it was 1124 or something) on an organ especially constructed for the Bach anniversary. What I am curious to know, among other things, is what tuning this instrument has. The organ in the cathedral sounded suitably pompous too. I am ashamed to say that until today I had never heard of Martin Haselbock but he seems to be pretty well-known. Peter

I won't be able to make the recital but I am glad to see that Harry is still on the recital circuit. He taught me for a while when he was at Southwark and is a true gentleman, completely self-effacing. I remember two memorable recitals he gave, one at St Mary's Rotherhithe (a fine Byfield) and then at the South Bank Poly where he shared the console with TT. Harry played Mendelsohnn 3, and I think TT did the Litolff Scherzo. He was chair of the Southwark and South London Organists Society and I was at one time on the committee. We would meet at his house by the Cathedral and would always offer a drink - a G&T in my case - to, as he put it, "improve the shining hour". He was very encouraging to me, particularly if I shared a recital with other members when he would congratulate the players with equal enthusiasm. Peter

This is a piece I bought in youthful folly and enthusiasm but I never really got to grips withy it, but thought I might have a go now. Doies anybody here play it? If so what do you think? The problem is that it asks for the high F# whereas many pedal boards onl;y go to F. Is there a way round this? Peter

Thanks Gareth and well done! Sound like you all had a whale of a time,and I hope the meal was worth the wait as well - washed down with a decent bottle or two! Petre

Does anybody play this piece (should it be Finale?)? I learnt it about 20 years ago and recently dug it out as I was looking for something "different" to finish with. Has it been recorded? Do we know the year(s) it was written? The marking is allegro maestoso - what metronome mark is recommended? Thanks Peter

No, I do however play his Gaudeamus which is also quite brash.A good opener or it can be used as an extended fanfare if you ever feel the need to want one. Peter

The organ is not a gift from Fr Kit: one doesn't spend a lifetime in a religious order and accumulate enought money to buy a brand new organ! St Ethelreda's is run by the Institute of Charity (Rosminians) as is the parish at which I play; the PP here at St Peter's is also Father Provincial of the UK Province. All we can say is "what strange rumours get around!". But the musical tradition which Fr Kit supported will continue under Fr Tom Diedun as a glance at the church's music list demonstrates. Regards Peter

Hi Alastair See my post (no 12) in the thread New Organs - excitement.... Peter

Travis and Emery, Cecil Court, just off Charing Cross Road, used to do second hand music but the last time | was there it was after 6.00 and closed. Schotts in Great Marlborough Street (Road?) might be worth a look. Peter

The Appointments thread wandered off a bit into a discussion on pubs, and, being the high-minded chap that you've all come to know me as, I thought it might be a good scheme to recommend pubs near places we have played (or indeed play on a regular basis). St Ethelreda's, Ely Place, London, which is getting a new organ next year, is but a crozier's throw from an excellent pub The Mitre and about 3 minutes walk from the Melton Mowbury which has to be the most expensive pub in Londoin (£7.95 for two pints last time I was there) but which specialises in pork pies (which I cannot abide but I'm sure some members of this forum adore). Westminster Cathedral - The Cardinal, of course which does organic beers and lagers. Not too pricey either. There's a fairly decent Wetherspoon's in City Road, just round the corner from where I play, St Peter's Catholic Church, Cardiff, which often has guest ales in, and the food is quite good too. Sunday roast including a drink is anout £6.00. If you get to play St Michael's Croydon, The Windmill on St James's Road is worth a visit, as is The Porter and Sorter near East Croydon Station. Any more suggestions? Peter

Curiously Gareth I am progamming this for next month's recital at my church. I quite like the way she weaves suggestions of other tunes into the Auld Lang Syne theme. (BTW I can't identify the "subsidury" subject which enters about halfway through the second movement - any ideas, anyone?) But I do like the Fur Elise reference. What I am tempted to do is to play this and get the audience to identify the themes and the composers imitated (eg Mendelsohnn) somewhat in the style of the "Hidden Melody" in Jospeh Cooper's TV show of years ago "Face the Music". I'm sure many forum members remember that show. One last thing, what is the hymn tune to "The Day of Resurrection" (Ellacombe) doing at the end of this piece? Peter

Jenny I've sent you a PM regarding this. P

My university (Cardiff) offered a degree in Music and Physics, and I know of at least one person, now a successful teacher and accompanist, who graduated with such a degree. Peter

This book contains Noel Rawsthorne's Hornpipe Humoresque and an amusing piece based on the Drunken Sailor by Rosalie Bonighton. Both these are redolent of the Last Night of the Proms. Anyway Gareth, whatever your programme is do post it here please! http://www.kevinmayhew.com/Shop/Products/2...Collection.aspx Peter

Hi Octave Dolce and welcome to the forum! When it comes to learning a new piece, the easiest bit is getting the notes right. The standard manuals only separately and then together, then right hand and pedal then left hand and pedal and then putting it all together always works for me - up the the point of being confident with knowing what the dots are. Then the work begins! Phrasing, interpretation, bringing out the subject in a five part fugeu when it is effectively hidden beneath four layers of counterpoint - hmm, that sounds tough enough going for me! I think also it is important to make the piece your own, to let your musical personality shine through. After all I wouldn't want to go to a recital and hear a version of a piece played exactly the same as on my CD at home.... in fact I rcently heard a version of a piece I play played in a different way which got me worrying for a minute - was I doing the right thing? Yes, because the notes on the page I was taking as the composer trying to communivate with me so that I can communicate my/his thoughts to others. Just a few thoughts Peter

A related question: does anyone play the Harvey Grace "free" arrangement of the Purcell Trumpet Tune which incorporates a simulated peal of bells as a subsiduary subject? It's great fun, and a crowd-pleaser. Peter

A new organ is planned for St Ethelreda's, Ely Place, London, built by Spaeth of Rapperswil, Switzerland: Manual 1 Bourdon (12 from Rhorflote) 16 Principal 8 Rohrflote 8 Gamba 8 Octave 4 Holzflote 4 Quinte 2 2/3 Superoctave 2 Tierce 1 3/5 Mixture III 1 1/3 + 1 + 2/3 Trompete 8 Manual 2 Bourdon 8 Salicionel 8 Unda Maris 8 Traversflote 4 Fugura 4 Flageolet 2 Cimbel III 1 + 2/3 + 1/2 Oboe 8 Pedal Subbass 16 Bourdon (12 from Subbass) 8 Flotbass 8 Choralbass 4 Posaune 16 I am assuming the usual couplers. Mechanical keyboard action, electric stop action, allowing programmable stop combinations. The compass is, I believe, 58-note manuals C-a''', 30 note pedalboard C-f. I think the pedalboard is straight concave. Manual 2 I a assuming to be enclosed. Playing aids, other than pistons, I am not sure of but I would imagine drawstop couplers duplicated on pedals (basing this on other Spaeth instruments but principally that in St Peter's, Cardiff). Peter

& Vierne 3!