Dave Lazoe

Hopefully I am not the only one who thinks this is neither "excellent" nor "exciting" news? A very sad situation as far as I am concerned! And: very creative writing on the account of the cathedral officials (on the Catheral's website): "(But,) over the years, the musicians have managed to make it sound like a silk purse, even if it continues to look like a sow’s ear". So, the only reason the organ ever sounded "like a silk purse" was due to the musicians, and not to the instrument itself. Quite an insult to its designer and builder! And, as far as the "looks" of the instrument are concerned, it is almost invisible from most parts of the building, so how can it "look like a sow's ear"? I wonder if a new case on the screen can improve the east/west view in the cathedral..... Dave Lazoe.

There was an organbuilder in The Netherlands working in the 1950's using the name Melodia Orgelfabriek. The owner of this firm was Cornelis Verweijs. The quality of work in their pipe organ was very mediocre (and that's an understatement). Maybe there is a link? Dave Lazoe.

"If new organs aren't commissioned, then organ-building firms will go bust, won't they?" (Quote) That is not what I meant. There are many hopeless organs around that can be replaced by better (new) instruments. But that is (in my opinion) not the case in Manchester cathedral. Besides, maintenance to existing organs also keep organ-building firms going. There is also the possibilty to keep, use and respect the Harrison & Harrison organ, and buy a new organ, made especially for the repertoire for which the present instrument is not suitable. You can have the best of both worlds (though not in one instrument)! There are some interesting examples in The Netherlands, like the Grote Kerk in Dordrecht (new Bach organ) and the Bovenkerk in Kampen. See the following links: http://www.debovenkerk.nl/page_3.htm http://www.grotekerk-dordrecht.nl/groteker...el/?language=nl I have seen and heard both the Cavaillé-Coll organ in Warrington and the Schulze organ in Hindley. Both exciting and interesting instruments, and both worthy of a better location, a location where they are appreciated. But I think Manchester Cathedral would not be the right location for either of these instruments. With the cathedral's very dry acoustics, I doubt anything would sound and function better than the present instrument. Dave.

A new organ, WHY? In the present financial climate? I have heard this Harrison & Harrison organ several times, and each time it stole my heart. Maybe it is not their best instrument, but (to me) it seems ideal for this building (with its very organ unfriendly acoustics). WHY the need for a new organ, please read the description of the present organ on Manchester Cathedral's own website: http://www.manchestercathedral.org/content/view/57/197/ "Whilst this organ is not full appreciated by many who regard it as "out of fashion", it is a good example of Harrison's post-war Romanticism!" My hope and advise would be: appreciate what is there, enjoy it and be proud of it. It is a very suitable, versatile and useful organ for this building and Anglican worship. At this moment it seems absurd to spend huge sums of money to replace a good functioning musical instrument. Postpone replacement or rebuilding plans to the future, maybe the next generation will appreciate the merits of the present instrument! Dave Lazoe

Pierre, I have checked this, the wind pressure on which this stop speaks is 110 Mm. It is on Manual 2 (Schwellwerk), all the stops of this manual speak on 90 Mm, except for the two reeds and the Syntematophon, which are on 110 Mm. Regarding the history of this very interesting organ: there is a book available called "Orgelreform in Nederland:, published by the Walburg Pers / Stichting Monumentaal Walcker-orgel Doesburg / Rijksdienst voor de Monumentenzorg. It was published in 2003 and is still available, if you are interested. I know the organist of the church very well, so if you would like to visit the organ (and see the inside), this is possible. Please let me know, I can arrange a visit for you. There are also several very interesting recordings available of this remarkable and truly monumental instrument. Some pictures of it can be found on the following link: http://www.xs4all.nl/~twomusic/concerts/Do...g/Doesburg.html regards, Dave Lazoe.

Fortunately there is at least one other example of a Synt(h)ematophon known and in use. The 1914-16 Walcker organ of the Grote Kerk in Doesburg (built for the Nieuwe Zuiderkerk in Rotterdam) has such a stop, still speaking on its original chest and pressure. Any other examples known?