Peter Clark

My sincere thanks to those who responded to this thread, both "in public" and by PM. Peter

I haven't seen the organ exam syllabus but my youngest (8 years) chorister has just taken her grade 3 piano in which one of the set pieces was the theme tune to the TV cartoon series Top Cat! Peter

Today' Guardian carries a very favourable obituary of Allan Wicks. Peter

Yes he was very helpful - brilliantly so. He seemed to tap into my concerns with uncanny insight, Peter

I had another "pep talk" this morning from one of our priests; I explained that I had sought advice on the problem and that information was well recieved - he said it was "courageous" of me to do this. I also had a lengthy conversation last night with an organist, well known to many here, who provided sound advice. With members' permission I should like to show this thread to the clergy - on an anoymous basis so no names will be revealed. Once again many thanks for kind, helpful and comforting responses, including of course those by PM &c. Best as ever Peter ps funeral today was fine except there was a pedal cypher so manuals only! Not my church but one up the road. The organ has a "great melodic bass" feature which can convey the impression of pedals in that it delivers the octave below on the lowest note played on the great. I should have played the GTB Paganini!

thanks Innate!

I try to keep mine to 50 minutes - that's based on when I was a lecturer and 50 mins was the length of each lecture and the maximum attention span. That is usually enough for me and the audience! And I NEVER compromise on closing time. That is a mortal sin! Peter

Bananas and paracetemol it shall be! The first recital I ever gave, some 30-odd years ago was done on a small scotch and several cigarettes. Now I've just about quit smoking (I confess to the odd fag now and then but not a word) other relaxants seem appropriate. GP tomorrow (followed by a funeral!). Thanks again, people Peter

Once again, very grateful for your comments. Best as ever Peter

Thanks for that - I have, in darker moments, had thoughts of throwng myself off the gallery - it is not good, this feeling of inadequacy. It having been suggested earlier today that I was not doing m job properly was a real blow. P but of course i won't

I have been aware recently of increasing nervousness in the organ loft, but only under certain circumstances. Some of you know the instrument I play; it is in a fairly high west gallery. What I have been experiencing recently is what might be described as mild panic attacks but ONLY when I am on my own up there playing for weddings and funerals, causing me to make errors in the simplest (and lousiest) of hymns such as I Watch the Sunrise; I have also apparently been speeding up at such times. This has, unfortunately (or perhaps fortuitously), been noticed and commented upon by members of the congregation, but this has had a knock on effect so that I received a kind but pointed dressing down today when I was told that two people complained about my tempi at yesterday's Mass. I have also begun to experience slight feelings of unease at the sung Mass, whereas previously this had not been the case as the choir is there as well so I had human contact rather than being on my own. Curiously, when I am doing my daily practice (usiually an hour or two) I am in a completely empty church and find myself totally relaxed. If I am playing for a funeral or wedding and Jane is with me I am similarly relaxed. To recap - on my own but with a congregation downstairs I get nervous. On my own but nobody there except me I am OK. Any reason for this? Have I thought myself into a psychogical problem? Your thoughts would be very welcome because at this point I am getting quite worried. Thanks Peter

I only give recitals now and then and I generally put a notice in the appropriate church bulletin or newsletter along the lines of "Peter Clark will be giving an organ recital at St Ogg's Church, Anytown on Spetember 12th at 7.30pm. The programme will include music by Bach, Ligeti, Brahms & Liszt". I also put posters in the local library, neighbouring churches (they don't usually object) and my local pub(!). The local paper has free advertsing (in a listings page) for non-profit events. Peter ps Vox what's a foghorn recital?

It might depend on what the audience expects and indeed console location. I gave a rercital a couple of years ago at which I introduced each piece as this was the "house style" of the church I was playing in, and it was one of a series of recitals given by local organists to benefit a charity of their choice. At a recital in my own church later, in favour of the same two charities I had nominated previously, I provided programme notes. The two recitals between them raised about £300 shared between the charities. In the first church the console is at the front and so I could easily go from the organ bench and say a few words. I was told this was appreciated. In my own church the console is in the west gallery; the notes I provided were equally appreciated and two of the audience told me that they had learnt something from the notes. So I don't think there is, or should be, a "rule" about this. Peter ps in case anybody is wondering the collections were divided between the St Peter's Brownies and Rainbows and the Cardiff Chaemeleons.

words and music by Francis Stanfield. P

And would the young John Lennon have sung Sweet Sacrament Divine, later recalling it when he wrote Yellow Submarine? Peter

Indeed; I was taught on that organ by Harry Bramma - possibly the least satisfactory place to sit to hear the organ is at the console! Peter

I think I love it! The Sibelius playback version is far too fast. Final chord? Either a straight F major(or 6th) or 13th - e flat, g, b natural, d - tremulant and quick open and shut swell pedal. yukky but could work P

Thanks to all who replied - once again showing the generosity of forum members. Peter

I think that is the one. Thanks!! Peter

Has anybody got a copy of either tune to this hymn - Bethany is the one I think I need - for a funeral this Wednesday? There is another tune as well and the family don't know which one they want. All PDFs gratefully received! Thanks Peter

I would second that - his was one of the first organ LPs I bought, in EMI's Great Cathedral Organ series. May he rest in peace (though he may be in demand "upstairs" to help out with the heavenly choir!). Peter

No, it is who you think I think you think I think you mean. I'll check his website. By the way, check out the Albright I was raving about a couple of weeks ago. (Also check out my newly redscovered favourite rock band Procol Harum in Denmark.) P

Three fine organs but Trinity Methodist (the one near me) is a fairly ordinary 2-man, unless you mean Conway Road Methodist (which may also be dedicated to the Trinity) which is a fine organ. Come to think of it, lots of Methodist churches seem to be "Trinities"! St German's is a great organ but being acrophobic I cannot play it - the organ is placed south of the sanctuary but the balcony behind the organ bench is very small; the only time I played an (informal) programme Jane had to stand behind me and told me at the end that I was white as a sheet, sweating, shaking and (God bless her) in need or the customary resoratives. P

Nor I - any chance of a PDF? P

Glad I'm not the only one Richard! Now Michael Murray at St John's - WOW! (When is our mutual friend's recording released by the way?) P