Classic car man
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Posts posted by Classic car man
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This reminds me of Dunchurch and Rik Bruggencate, who I think went to jail in the end over it?
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The leatherwork of the drawstop machines is in very poor condition so there are a few stops off here and there but other than that, pretty much all of it works and it sounds absolutely incredible. Ian Tracey really shows the organ off to its fabulous best at his monthly recitals. Certainly worth contacting the Hall about booking it. If I'm free, I'll show you round inside it!
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I was waiting for the car horns to make an appearance and wasn't disappointed. I always felt the flue voicing was a little raw, grating even after a while, but this recording makes it sound a little too smooth - perhaps it is partly to do with where the mics are placed but I look forwards, very much, to hearing it in the flesh.
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Andy Scott to be next MD of H&H
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Just because the Cathedral has been low key about this, David, doesn't mean my post was inaccurate, but yes, this appointment is confirmed, else I wouldn't have posted to the group!
Notwithstanding personal contact, this from facebook a couple of weeks ago:
Choral Eucharist at Liverpool Cathedral is at 10.30am and will be sung by the boys’ girls’ and adult voices of the Cathedral Choir, directed by newly appointed Director of Music, Stephen Mannings and accompanied by Ian Tracey, Cathedral Organist.
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Internal appointment of Stephen Mannings to DOM at Liverpool Cathedral following Lee Ward's departure last year.
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I am afraid £60k won't touch the sides for a complete restoration of an organ, including flooding the soundboards, releathering the action motors, releathering the reservoirs, releathering the drawstop machines or replacing with solenoids, fitting a new transmission and capture system, generally updating the console electrics (drawstop solenoids, contacts etc), repiecing the pedal sticks . . . . . the list goes on and on!
Certainly any work done should last the test of time, however when work is done on an organ, it is often labelled as an overhaul or restoration when, in reality, the work was actually quite narrow in its scope. The only way to know for sure is to get hold of the contract/schedule of the work done and perhaps ask the local DOA for advice or ask another Organ Builder to come and inspect the organ.
Blown air heating systems are dreadful things and can make trying to tune tricky.
Adrian
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If you have a silk purse from the outset, the end result is somewhat different to starting with a sow's ear and both Guildford and Chester have outstanding material as the heart of each instrument. At Chester, some of the R&D additions/work is well done, but some is a bit rough and ready, IMHO.
As part of the DWOB work at Guildford, lots of leatherwork was done - reservoirs, actions, etc. and the Choir division spec was tweaked along with lots of other little bits and pieces here and there. The console received a lot of attention with the woodwork being re-finished in its original white oak style, a new piston system fitted and the layout of the stops & pistons rationalised.
Adrian
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I wouldn't miss the notes from a playing point of view. Is the chest by Hunter as well? If the chest had been 32 notes I'd have said get two new top notes made (it wouldn't be that expensive) but if the chest is 30 notes, keep the compass 30. Adding a two note chest or borrowing from somewhere else would spoilt the integrity of the instrument IMHO.
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Organ Builders are not usually allowed to carry out mains electrical work. Whilst any changes/additions to mains electrical installations may be specified by Organ Builders, it is generally the institute in question which is in charge of engaging contractors, arranging for the work to be carried out and signing it off.
Likewise with regard to Transmission and Capture systems, the Organ Builders may specify some of the details but will buy them from specialist manufacturers. The manufacturer of Worcester's transmission also supplied systems to St. Paul's, a year or two earlier I believe, and I understand that their system was not without problems either. St. P's threw in the towel a few years ago and replaced theirs with a system by a different manufacturer so if Worcester are having problems with or replacing their system, I think it should reflect on the manufacture not the Organ Builder.
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I can't remember all the details off-hand but I am sure many of the 32' pipes at SGH were replaced in either 1896 or 1931 as they were cast-iron iirc. At any rate, behind the current fronts is an elaborate system of springs and hooks to help support the weight of the pipes. I am sure I have a photo somewhere which I will try and dig out.
Adrian
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I have hardly missed a recital here for the last 30 years and every one has had a very respectable number in the audience, although in this Great Space where the capacity of each area is so huge, even respectable numbers can look thin!
The Well, as the Nave is known, is an important part of the building. It is used as a stand-alone space for concerts, services and exhibitions as well as overspill seating for major services and concerts. The Palm Sunday service starts off here and moves into the main space, and Maundy Thursday services are usually held here to name but two. A large toaster provides service since the planned Bridge Organ never materialised.
When this area is in use as overspill for services and concerts, screens (and sound re-inforcement) are set up so that the people can have an idea what is going on half a mile in front of them! Certainly for the major Christmas services every part of the building is full - Well, Transepts, the lot, and last year two sittings of Christmas Eve afternoon were needed.
I have sung at many incredible services and events in this wonderful place but the Darkness to Light service, (Advent Sunday) where the Choir gradually processes from West to East and ends up on the Altar steps looking West, with a Cathedral full of candles held by the congregation, is the most magical sight.
Adrian
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David's playing was astonishing and his mastery of the music quite amazing. The organ sounded fabulous and he really threw it around the building all night, so much so that top g# of the solo tromba blew out of its boot - I found it lying on the passage board when I tuned today!
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Yes there are a number of local options, in particular the system made by A J & L Taylor. Presumably there was enough pressure once upon a time so what has changed? Fitting an electric machine is a very involved process indeed, both at console and job end - which organ builder looks after the organ, surely this is for them to organise?
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Liverpool Cathedral and Georgie Hall both have external humidification feeding into each swell box. Given humidity is usually around 30% every little helps! LC has two W&W D16s per side and SGH has one D16 each side - glad I'm not paying the water bill!
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I agree with ajsphead. At Liverpool all the undulating ranks are tuned with slightly different speeds according to their voicing and the effect they give. I tune the unda maris with the slowest beat, keeping it even to the top. solo strings, which are the most biting, the fastest, getting slightly faster in the trebles. the strings are angelicas so tuned flat.
Interesting idea from Friedrich, will have a go sometime and see how it sounds.
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HTC is a wonderfully historic place , very light and airy, but with no ideal place for an organ. The H&H in Leigh is a superb example of organ building and whilst it isn't really my place to say more . . . . . . . you may think that it has been bought by HTC, removed from Leigh church and stored in a secure location but I couldn't possibly comment . This has all the makings of something really special and I hope enough money can be found, and a decent scheme drawn up, to bring it to fruition.
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I have many memories of the old organ, none of them good. . . I remember trying to practice on it in the early '90s and regularly giving up as it constantly ciphered. I forget what temperament it was tuned to but given the roles it had to fulfil I didn't find it pleasant.
There isn't much space there so it will be interesting to see the design.
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Down at the bass end it is relatively easy to distinguish the different pitches but as you rise through the keyboard, and/or more ranks are added, so doubling pitches, I eventually blank them off with a pipe cleaner or a wooden peg.
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Whilst the Tuba Magna at Liverpool Cathedral doesn't go down to 16' pitch, there is a Contral Tromba 16 on the Solo, on 20" and a Contra Tuba 16 on the Bombarde on 30" Both are independant ranks so the organ doesn't lack punch at that pitch
SGH Tuba Mirabilis is indeed a wonderful sound.
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Did anyone from the forum make the recital at Liverpool today? I recon today was my 30th consecutive anniversary recital and I thought Ian played fantastically well and made amazing use of the organ. Despite being written for the organ at the other end of Hope Street, the Mathias Invocations worked brilliantly. I really enjoyed the registrations of both Debussy transcriptions which really showed off the strings and solo flutes.
A more apt hymn (Angel Voices) could not be sung at this occasion - craftsman's art and music's measure for thy pleasure all combine.
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thanks everyone, very helpful input.
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Hi Folks,
Does anyone has experience of the organ part of the original Full orchestral version of the Durufle Requiem - i.e. how difficult it is?
I have been asked to play it but knowing how fiendishly difficult the organ solo arrangement is I am wary of saying yes without knowing what I am letting myself in for!
thanks
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Just seen this on Liverpool Cathedral's website. Should be an interesting evening!
Notre Dame Organist to perform at Liverpool Cathedral
Olivier Latry, the internationally-renowned organist from Notre Dame Paris, is to play a Gala Concert on the great organ of Liverpool Cathedral on Saturday 29th June at 7.30pm.
He will present a mixed, popular programme in his own inimitable style, and the programme will include work by Louis Vierne (Carillon de Westminster, Clair de lune and Feux follets), Olivier Messiaen (L'Ascension) and Thierry Escaich (Evocation II), after which, he will improvise on a submitted theme.
In 1985, aged 23, Olivier was awarded the post of one of four Titulaires des grands orgues de Notre-Dame, Paris, alongside Yves Devernay, Philippe Lefèbvre and Jean-Pierre Leguay. In addition to this role and his teaching positions, Olivier has an active career as concert performer, playing in more than forty countries across five continents.
Olivier has gained a reputation for performing music by his contemporaries. He is renowned for his performances of the works of Olivier Messiaen and has recorded the complete organ works of Messiaen for Deutsche Grammophon. He is also considered to be a distinguished improviser, in the tradition of an exceptional French line that runs from Charles Tournemire through to Pierre Cochereau.
The concert will raise money for Liverpool Cathedral’s £900,000 Organ Appeal, now in its fourth year and standing at £350,000.
Completed in 1926, the cathedral's great organ is one of the supreme examples of the craftsmanship of Henry Willis & Sons, with 8 manual divisions and pedals, 199 drawstops, played from each of two consoles, and comprising the staggering total of 10,268 pipes. Built as the largest musical instrument ever conceived, the Grand Organ of Liverpool Cathedral is one of the greatest church organs in the world and the largest organ in the UK today.
Olivier said: 'It has always been my wish to play on Liverpool Cathedral's iconic instrument and I am delighted to be doing this at long last'
DIY electromagnets - anyone with experience?
in Nuts and bolts
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In short, different resistances means different strengths. You don't always need a sledgehammer to crack a nut so lower strength magnets (which are generally cheaper (always an important factor for organbuilders)) can be used depending on the particular requirements. Lower magnet strength also reduces the load on the transmission which is very important.
As Colin says, making magnets is no mean feat and one which I would not undertake. There are a number of supply houses around the world and so if finances permit, I would go for a ready made solution. If finances are tight, many organbuilders have boxes and boxes of secondhand stuff lying around - I certainly have!