Peter Clark

Thanks for all the replies and suggestions so far. A fan heater seems the best option so I'll try to get one this weekend but I am looking at the sheepskin wristbands too. Amazon have a pair at £26 which seems a fair price. As far as tuning is concerned, the reeds have now gone completely haywire which means a lengthy tuning soon - that's 4 manual and two pedal reeds as well as the rest of the jukebox. Cheers, all Peter

Where I play is quite a large church, and during the week, other than for such services as funerals and weddings, it is not used as a smaller chapel away from the main church caters for the usually small congregations which attend daily Mass, and thereforer the church itself is not heated. It would be unreasonable for me to expect the church to be heated on a daily basis just for me to do my 2 hours or so practice, so I am wondering what I can do to make conditions favourable for me to get the most out of my time. I recently bought a small halogen heater which I place next to the console but its positive effect is limited. I was once advised to soak my hands in a bowl of hot water just prior to playing (drying them first of course!) but this seems impractical as I would be heating the kettle every half hour or so. Fingerless gloves are, naurally, far too restrictive as for successful articulation, wrist action and so on. are concerned. A simple "wrapping up warmly" doesn't really help with the cold attaching to the extermities and in any case might impede the natural movement of the entire body. If others have had the same problems and have found a solution I would be very grateful to hear from them. Best as ever Peter

Colin, I really hope that you do not intentionally antagonise other contributers to this forum. My undersanding is that we all appreciate the great work done by organ builders no matter what firm they work for, and I know that John Mander himself recognises the excelllence of other - but not rival - companies. We organists - and I assume you are one? - are, frankly, minority animals not just in the world of music but in the world at large and thus we need to support each other, just as organ builders themselves must support each other, if, for no other reason, to learn from each other. Peter

In his recent autobiography (or biography - can't remember which) Keith Richards of the Stones refers to his days as a "Westminster choirboy" though whether Abbey, Cathedral or School or none of these I don't know. Peter

How about the plainsong Puer Natus (just taught it to my choir in less than half an hour. I described it as "medieval bop"!)? Peter

I thought yesterday's (7/11/10) Sunday Worship first class. What thought others? Peter

A terrific setting which I tried to introduce to my own choir but it was met with a surprising degree of derision. Maybe I should be firmer. Anyway, ignore the negative feedback on the YouTube video and go for it if you can get away with it! Gardner's setting of Tomorrow Shall be My Dancing Day is equally effective and just as much fun. Peter

He did, but I bet he's glad that he didn't! Peter

Thanks for that and I agree that indeed most of it is but I have about 7 KM books and they all contain one or two winners and much other stuff which is very useful. In the past I have used some of these pieces during the liturgy and also to provide a bit of light relief in recitals. In the latter case they can also provide me with something to relax over either before or after a more substantial work. Peter

I particularly like the "big tune" in the 4th movement of Fenlands. Guilmant, could you PM me Dr Wills' email address (I used to have it as I was talking to him a few years ago about one of his 3 Psalms of Celebration featured on an RSCM cassette) because I would like to know if any of this is available in an organ-only arrangement. Thanks. Peter

I had meant to post this last week but never got round to it. It concerns the Sunday Worship broadcast on 10/10/10, and inj particular the concluding colunrary, Exultate Deo by Rosalie Bonighton. Hearing thisd sent me scurrying to my Mayhew volumes and I found it in a collection called Fiesta, a book of twelve or so joyful pieces - and the piece in question is rather good - until, IMHO the last bar which has a G6 chord followed by one of Gmaj7 as the final chord (without, inexplicably, pedals) . This is a pity I think as it spoils an otherwise exuberant composition. To adopt the sub-heading of this thread - why? Peter

I just received this CD from Amazon and at 10.30pm, having had a somewhat trying choir practice, am listening to it. All I can say is "tremendous". Worth getting certainly. The marriage of organ and brass band is inspirational; Dr Wills plays wonderfully and the band is quite his equal in musicianship. I suspect that not a few members of this forum (chat room as my other half likes to say!) are familiar with it. If not, do give it a try. Peter

I just found this on YouTube I think this is a remarkabley good song and wonderful brass band and choir arrangement. Did he do his own orchestrations? Peter ps I am biased of course being a brass band fan - I am hoping to get the Arthur Wills piece for organ and band soon.

Many years ago he made an album "Criminal Records" and I am sure this featured on one track a Swiss organ. According to the "bumph" I saw, ther organ was in a church but linked somehow to the recording studio so he was able to use the church organ whilst simultaneously other musicians were playing in the studio. Pity I hsve lost that album as I recall it was very good. Indeed, most of his stuff is remarkable. I saw on Sky recently a live concert he gave - he and about 4 keyboards with backing instrumentalists. Thanks MM and Tony for the additional info. Peter

I had heard that Wakeman was/is an organist for a Baptist church on the Isle of Man (and also that he made a few appearences in Dictionary Corner in Countdown!). Perhaps Tony N could confirm or otherwise the former suggestion? Peter

Did he not write a song based on the Chopin c minor prelude (maybe that was Mandy)? I think his best song was Copacobana, which was later expanded into a musical. Another contemoprary composer with a foot in the rock music door is Ad Wammes of Miroir fame. He had his own rock band a couple of decades ago. I have the score of his Toccata Chromatica which certainy displays hints of rock both in terms of rhythm and harmonic sequences. You can hear it on his website. He is also a very nice chap who has communicated with me a few times expressing gratitude for my being interested in his work. Peter

If so could she or he PM me please - thasnks. Peter

I have just ordered this suite from the excellent Michael's Music in the USA, having been impressed with previous purchases from this outlet. From what I have seen and heard, this composer, who is sadly little-known in the UK, has a distinctive quality, although I have detected something of a Karg-Elert influence in terms of harmonic language and registration demands (though the thematic material is undoubtedly essentially Russellian, if I can coin a term), as well as the programmatic nature of the work. This suite certainly reminds me of Karg-Elert's 7 Pastels as well as some of his other impressionistic/programmatic compositions. But is seems to me (and I have yet to see the entire score) that this is a composer worth exploring for his originality. Members may wish to know that Micheal's Music offers a free download of a mini study of the composer. Peter

And also the fugue, Tony, which has semiquaver consecutive 3rds and 6ths! Peter

That is interesting as I have always maintained that the GTB Elegy reflects the mood of Walford Davies' Solemn Melody - so I wonder if GTB was influenced by it? Peter

I agree MM - and add my voice to yours in sending best wishes to Jenny, Martin and the organiss of Christchurch. Organs can be rebuilt but with lives it can be a bit more difficult. Peter

The current Organists' Review has some very interesting articles about Wesley. P

What did members who subscribe make of the Eric Sweeney piece featured in the latest OR? I have played through it a couple of times now - certainly minimalist, it reminded me of Philip Glass but with a more prominant dissonance (though mild it must be said) than is generally found in Glass. I see that one of our coillegues is doing an article on the composer in the next issue. Peter

Good news Quentin! Congratulations. But being RC I don't really know what an area dean does - please tell me!! P

"In a Monastery Garden" - Albert Ketelby. Peerless. P