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P DeVile

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Posts posted by P DeVile

    Modern Tracker Action Organs

    in Nuts and bolts

    Posted

    http://www.willis-organs.com/florence_general.html

     

    click on: show/hide construction photographs (updated) and scroll about half-way down the page where there are pictures of the Floating Lever being assembled etc..

     

    This organ is being loaded into the lorries as I write, delivered to the church on Tuesday morning next week for setting up.

     

    DW

     

    I went to see this organ a couple of weeks ago. It is absolutely stunning.

     

    Peter

    Songs Of Praise Today

    in General discussion

    Posted

    I didn't see this, but have just flicked through on IPlayer. The Torquay church which was featured only briefly and towards the end of the programme is St. John's Church, Montpellier Place, Torquay. I don't recognise the building where the majority of the performances took place, though.

     

    I wondered whether it was St. Bartholomew the Great in Smithfield, London.

     

    Peter

    Mp3 Portable Recorders

    in Nuts and bolts

    Posted

    If I wanted to buy mics for my R-09, what would I have to spend to make a worthwhile improvement and what should I buy?

     

    Stephen Barber

     

    I use an Audio Technica AT825 stereo microphone, which I managed to get from Ebay for a fraction of the proper price (roughly £250). Spend as much as you possibly can afford, and check the frequency range. The Sony range of microphones, for example largely start from 100hz, so are very good for choirs, but not alot of use for organs.

     

    Peter

    Mp3 Portable Recorders

    in Nuts and bolts

    Posted

    Try these threads:

    http://www.mander-organs.com/discussion/in...ic=2063&hl=

    http://www.mander-organs.com/discussion/in...c=1796&st=0

     

    I am very happy withy my Edirol R-09, but it's probably less good than the Zoom if you want to use external microphones. The built-in microphones on the Edirol are very good, but I find they can be a bit bass-heavy with organ pedals, depending on how carefully I place the machine.

     

    Stephen Barber

     

    I have the R09 and am very happy with the results, though agree with Stephen that the built-in mics are a bit bass heavy. All I can say about acoustics is that you need to get to know the building that you are recording in. Take time to walk around the place while the organ - or whatever - is being used, and find the best place, which quite often can be in the most bizzare spot!

     

    Never record in MP3 format, as that is always a compromise. Record in the highest quality wav format and use the best mic that you can possibly afford.

     

    Peter

    Wanamaker Organ

    in The Organ

    Posted

    There is also a wonderful Cd on the Gothic label called "The Wanamaker Legacy" and Peter Conte plays music that is closely associated with the instrument. It finishes with a stunning performance of Dupre's Passion Symphony, which was recorded live at the 2002 National Convention of the American Guild of Organists.

     

    Peter

    Lest We Forget

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Don't know if anyone is familiar with this one but we did "Had we but hearkened to thy word", with words set to Walford Davies' Solemn Melody for our Civic Service this morning. A simple, effective and very appropriate one for the occasion. I wasn't previously familiar with it.

     

    As for organ music, I preluded the standard stuff I use for Remembrance (Thalben-Ball Elegy, Rawsthorne Londonderry Air Prelude and Nimrod) followed by an improvisation on I vow to thee my country. The end voluntary was William Walton's Introduction and March from Battle of Britain (as in Ceremonial Music).

     

    We did Peter Irving's "For the Fallen", which has the last post written into it. We recorded it a few years ago at the end of choir practice to test a new microphone. You can find it here:

     

    http://cid-49375b446d64e948.skydrive.live....he%20fallen.mp3

     

    As with the other post, I'll leave it there for a couple of weeks.

     

    Peter

    Lest We Forget

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Having just watched the Festival of Remembrance from RAH, does anyone know the composer of the setting of Binyon's "For the Fallen" which Ms Jenkins has just sung? Corny, but nice! Am I alone in thinking that, in her day, Vera Lynn was a better singer than Ms Jenkins?

     

    Malcolm

     

    PS Common Worship might call this the Kingdom Season; in Brighton at the moment it's more like the Monsoon Season!

     

    The music was written by a Geoff Stephens. Last night's was the second time this was performed and to my mind was not a patch on 3 or 4 years ago, where the organ was used to great effect. I have a vid of the original, which you can find here:

    http://cid-49375b446d64e948.skydrive.live....%20Stephens.wmv

     

    I'll leave it there for a couple of weeks. If after that anyone wants it, pm me.

     

    Peter

     

    ps. Spot the mistake, due to not watching the conductor..... where have I heard that before?

    St. John's Cambridge

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Don't tell anyone, but if you listen to it with Internet Explorer and then go into the Temporary Internet files...... you can find the MP3 files which are a load of numbers and then save to your desktop... or wherever.

     

    Yes, it is the Trompeta Real in the fanfary bits.

     

    When that stop was installed in 1954, it was rather experimental. George Guest had been on sabbatical in Spain and on his return decided that he wanted one of these sticking-out trumpet things. Herbert Norman, having no experience in such stops asked the reed voicer Arthur Rundall what sort of pressure it should be on. Arthur being equally inexperienced in these stops suggested 15 inches wp. These were voiced and installed - at night - as there was so much traffic noise outside. My old friend, who was the voicer's lad was sent up to the all-night tea stall for 2 mugs and as he stood waiting for the brew, he could clearly hear the Trompeta.... from a quarter of a mile away!

     

    It was revoiced to 7 inches, which it is now..

     

    Peter

    Digital Recorders

    in General discussion

    Posted

    I know that there was an earlier thread regarding Edirol and Zoom recorders and after seeing an Edirol in use recently, I was interested to hear from the owner that the sound quality is superb. I now intend to get one. I have a question for those using them - is it possible to connect them directly to a HiFi CD recorder, preferably by an optical lead, or is it only possible to download into a PC, if so what software does one use. Any information on this topic would be gratefully received.

     

    I have been using the Edirol R09 for a year and a half and it is a wonderful unit. The sound quality is simply excellent. This review is quite good and explains better than me:

     

    http://transom.org/tools/recording_intervi...703_edirol_r09/

     

    the review is out of date regarding sd cards. Mine has a 4GB card, which gives 4 1/4 hours recording time at 24bit 44khz.

     

    I don't know much about HiFi CD recorders, so can't comment apart from saying that you must be able to connect them together and the R09 does have optical out. I always put my recordings onto my PC for editing and general tweaking and I use Wavelab, though Audacity is superb and free.

     

    Peter

    Proms 2008

    in The Organ

    Posted

    Virtuosity at the expense of musicianship perhaps? - There are motifs i've certainly found in the inner parts before that i couldn't hear at that speed

     

    Far from being "God is with us"....... more like God is belting up the M1 in a Ferrari.

     

    Still, he made up for it in the last chord, which lasted 2 weeks.

    Proms 2008

    in The Organ

    Posted

    I still have the recording (on videotape) of Wayne Marshall's performance of Transport de Joie from the Last Night of 1997. His performance was very good indeed, and although the organ was getting a little bit 'tired' it certainly provided a rousing performance all round. Listening to the recording again (which is still in excellent condition) there is plenty of 'pedal', which is more than can be said of the organ today. Camera work was also good at the manuals and pedals.

     

    Although a different piece is on offer tonight it will be good to compare the two performances side-by-side. If anyone can get the best out of this organ, Wayne Marshall can. I'm afraid all that I've heard before has been a profound disappointment. Still, I shall reserve judgement until listening to this evening's performance!

     

    Have you heard the organ "in the flesh" as it were or just recordings?

     

    It is superb to listen to directly opposite in the upper circle

     

    Peter

    Npor Slowness

    in General discussion

    Posted

    I praise Tony and his team to the hills. Many times I have had to fetch up at a church to play for a funeral/concert/wedding etc. and I have been ever grateful with the information on NPOR.

     

    Especially as often, a phone call to the establishment concerned often reveals a comment like "we have an ORGAN? - really, do we?"

     

    Absolutely. I think Tony and his colleagues do a fine job and the NPOR is incredibly useful

     

    Peter

    Recitals

    in General discussion

    Posted

    I have just thought of another recital and evensong that I can highly recommend to all.

     

    The final evensong of the term at St. John's Cambridge is on Sunday 6th July and is preceeded by the half-hour recital given by the Senior Organ Scholar Leon Charles, who leaves to become an assistant at Westminster Abbey.

     

    the recital is at 6.00 and is:

     

    J.S. Bach: Toccata & Fugue in D minor (BWV 565)

    Percy Grainger: Handel in the Strand (arr. Stockmeier)

    Boëllmann: Suite Gothique

    1. Introduction – Choral

    2. Menuet Gothique

    3. Prière à Notre-Dame

    4. Toccata

     

    Evensong is:

     

    Responses and Preces: Radcliffe

    Psalm 32

    Parry (Great Service)

    Parry: Hear my words, ye people

    Hymns 388(i), 252

    Voluntaries: Elgar Nimrod

    Rossini (arr. Lemare)

    Overture to “William Tell”

     

    Peter

    Recitals

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Because there are designated sites for all recitals in the Uk who do a fine job, and I would suspect that most contributors or readers of this thread would be aware of. them. The recitals mentioned are included in Stephen Smith's organrecitals.com.

    He works very hard for this site, so I do not see the reason for duplication.

    So, is the said organ builder going to inundate the Mander site with recitals held in all the venues where they maintain the organ, and if not how fair is that ?

    Perhaps you can enlighten me as to how many other organ builders contribute to the Mander site in the same way ?

    All the other events included under "recitals" have been submitted by individuals, I believe.

    Colin Richell.

     

    Nope,

     

    I am an organ builder. I look after the organs in Saffron Walden Parish Church and I am happy to promote the organ recital series. The fact that I am personally involved here.... because I live here and sing in the choir is immaterial.

     

    I am hoping that people will come and support the recital series and enjoy the instrument. This is what we all......... well most want.

     

    Mr Richell. Stop wingeing and bickering about what it plainly an Alexandra Palace issue and move on

     

    Peter De Vile Organ Builder

    Saffron Walden

    Recitals

    in General discussion

    Posted

    I would like to draw your attention to a couple of recitals coming up at Saffron Walden Parish Church.

     

    Saturday 19th July at 7.30

    David Cook (Assistant organist Saffron Walden Parish Church)

    Big Screen.

     

    Saturday 6th September at 7.30

    Keith Hearnshaw (Concert Organist)

    Big Screen.

     

    Lovely church - the largest in Essex.

     

    4 manual instrument HNB/Wells

     

    http://www.stmaryssaffronwalden.org/index.htm

     

    Peter

     

    Apologies if this appears to be biased.........

    Municipal Organs Under Threat

    in General discussion

    Posted

    It was I who started this thread some weeks ago, when I asked if anyone had any information about the organ in Dover Town Hall, which had been out of use for many years.

    no-one responded so presumably people are happy to allow it to die as with many other town hall instruments.

    I cannot see that replacing a pipe organ with a Wurlitzer would change attitudes at all.

    Colin Richell.

     

    This all came up in a thread a year or so ago. I talked (typed) about Dover Town Hall and Colchester Town Hall organs:

     

    http://www.mander-organs.com/discussion/in...ester&st=20

     

    Peter

    Portable Recording Devices

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Yes, I've listened on different hi-fi systems and also on the computer and on headphones. I have another microphone that I used to use with my old minidisc (Sony ECM-MS907) but I haven't compared the sound yet. I would guess that it would not be so good, and would be bass-light rather than bass-heavy. Any suggestions for reasonably-priced stereo microphones to use with the Edirol R09? They have to be connected via a mini-jack plug. It's probably not worth it?? (I think the Zoom H4 is better for use with external mics.).

     

    I have a graphic Equalizer on my Total Recorder programme but I haven't yet played with it enough to achieve as good a result as just turning the bass down on my hi-fi.

     

    Thanks for your response,

     

    Stephen Barber

     

    I use my Audio Technica AT825 stereo microphone. A pal spotted it on Ebay and I got it for £80, recommended retail being £300 ish. It's worth going for and these regularly come up on that site. I recorded and produced a private cd of a Polish instrument last year with excellent results.

     

    Peter

    Portable Recording Devices

    in General discussion

    Posted

    I made this point, but I was referring to the Edirol (it was quite a few posts back!). And I was talking about recordings burnt to CD and played back. It makes for a very impressive organ sound, but any particular notes which boom sound extremely "boomy". I use a computer programme to tame it (Total Recorder) with some success. Is there a free or cheap PC Graphic Equalizer out there somewhere that I could try?

     

    Stephen Barber

     

    Have you listened to your boomy recordings on more than one piece of equipment? It may be the system you're playing it on.

     

    Graphic equalizers tend to work alongside other programs. VST files work with many of the music editing programs and there are loads of equalizers in that format. I use Wavelab, which comes with one that is excellent.

     

    Peter

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