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Mander Organs

handsoff

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Posts posted by handsoff

  1. Posted · Report reply

    ===========================

     

    Let's remind ourselves of what T C Lewis could do:-

     

    Southwark Cathedral T C Lewis

     

    There is a recent release in The English Cathedral Series, recorded by Peter Wright in Southwark Cathedral, from Regent Records. I hadn't previously heard a recording of this instrument and it's many years since I heard it in the flesh. The programme includes Demessieux, Peeters and Jongen. Well worth a listen; it's a beautiful sound.

     

    BTW I heard a snatch on R3 earlier in the week from a new "Organ Fireworks" recorded in Melbourne Town Hall. That sounded rather good too...

  2. Posted · Report reply

    For the central area of England, Stratford-upon-Avon is a good base. You would be within easy reach of Worcester, Gloucester, Hereford, Birmingham, Coventry and Lichfield cathedrals, along with Tewkesbury Abbey, St Mary's, Warwick (OK, OK!) and many other good organs and beautiful churches. The Cotswold and Malvern Hills are nearby with plenty for non-organ-loving members of the family to do.

     

    There are numerous campsites all around the area.

  3. Posted · Report reply

    I've recently had this problem and my wife suggested that I try a pair of sheepskin bands which fit around the wrists. They are supposed to help keep the blood flowing into the hands warmer by insulating the blood vessels that are close to the skin at that point.

     

    She obtained a pair from a supplier of goodies intended for elderly people and I find that they do help without restricting movement. She asked for them as a sample connected with her work in sheltered accomodation so I don't know what they would cost but a google search or visit to Boots may help.

     

    I should maybe add that I'm not playing anything that involves a great deal of athleticism* and music requiring a great deal of movement may not be helped by the bands.

     

    *Still trying to get to grips with the Dupré chorale on In Dulci Jubilo. I find that bellowing 1,2,3,4,5,6 to myself in order to count the quavers helps with the rhythm but I do get odd looks from flower ladies...

  5. Posted · Report reply

    Visits to organ builders workshops were not unusual 50 years ago. My school had a Norman and Beard organ and I remember visiting Hill, Norman and Beard in North London (Hornsey?) one very memorable Saturday afternoon. Very generous of them to do this.

     

    Indeed; and it still so is today. A group of us from Stratford-upon-Avon went to the workshops of Principal Pipe Organs in York this summer to see progress on the new organ for the Guild Chapel. We were made very welcome by Geoffrey Coffin and his men, who treated us to tea, coffee and home-made snacks before being given a talk and then a tour of the works. Fascinating stuff.

  11. Posted · Report reply

    This is a simply terrific DVD and left me with a silly grin on my face. It's well worth hooking the DVD player up to the hi-fi to fully appreciate it and this then gives the same sound quality as one would have from a CD. The filming is sensitive to the music and the choice of pieces and later demonstration are spot-on to demonstrate this thrilling instrument to the full, including that wonderful Claribel flute on the choir. The additional items give some interesting detail including the Royal Trumpets anecdote.

     

    I don't know if Simon or anyone from Priory reads this forum but if you do - thanks and congratulations.

     

    St. Sulpice next? ;)

  13. Posted · Report reply

    The music, ordered just yesterday from Allegro in Worcester, arrived earlier today. I see what is meant about the rhythm and I think that some very slow and diligent work will be necessary. It is nice that all the fingering is marked, as Douglas mentioned.

     

    At a first glance, many of the short pieces will be useful for the Eucharist during which the choir sing a two or three verse hymn followed either by silence or an improvisation. As my skills in that field are limited, a short chorale will be just the biscuit and will also give me the chance to get back into the discipline of regular practice.

  14. Posted · Report reply

    Thank you to all who replied. I shall buy the complete set and if the one in question is ready for Christmas then that'll be great. If not, next year. It really is a lovely piece; those luscious harmonies are sublime.

     

    P

  15. Posted · Report reply

    I am playing for a couple of services just after Christmas and should like to perform this piece during the Offertory but wonder how difficult it is. It doesn't sound too hard but I'm old enough to know that this is often deceptive, especially as I don't have perfect pitch and so don't actually know in what key it is written - there's a lot of difference to my fingers between say, D maj and D flat major! I could cope with both but the latter would take more time.

     

    One of the organs I shall be playing has some lovely strings and I think that the piece would sound good on it.

     

    Thank you in advance for some advice; I don't want to buy the music if I'm not going to be able to learn in time. I passed Grade 7 about 37 years ago, although I very much doubt that that carries much weight today, judging by the time it took me to get the Bach/Krebs BWV 558 back up to standard after a 35 year lay-off. :unsure:

  18. Posted · Report reply

    I've just returned after playing for morning Eucharist and while turning to the final hymn opened the book on a page which contained a song with the first line of the first two verses something like, "It's big like an elephant" and "It's big like a vintage car" (My Morris Minor is actually quite small :unsure: ). Was I hallucinating? I meant to investigate further but didn't finish the voluntary in time - the happy clappies were beginning to infiltrate for their 10.45 (which the Vicar leaves to a lay-preacher, all credit to her).

     

    I can't remember the name of the hymn book but the "old" hymns are fine, albeit simplified on occasions and in lower keys than I'm used to, such as St.Denio on G Maj, but there are some real strange items in there.

  20. Posted · Report reply

    I have recently started deputising for the organist at the small parish church at which I was the "appointed organist" in my teens. I have been told that whilst I am free to choose the hymns for the services for which I am playing (if scheduled far enough in advance, obviously) under no circumstances must I use any worship songs and "that happy-clappy rubbish, that's left for the music group at the family worship in the 10.45 slot". I play for Sung Eucharist at 09.15 which apparently has a larger and more enthusiastic congregation.

     

    What a sensible approach; something for everyone.

  21. Posted · Report reply

    I have played this CD at least 5 times since it arrived and there is more and more to enjoy each time. It's just a wonderful organ superbly played and I think that

    mechanical sounds from the instrument add so much to the ambience of the recording. Brill!

     

    I see from Ebay that Jeremy Filsell has nicked the title for his new disc of Arthur Wills' music...

  22. Posted · Report reply

    we are getting off the point here

     

    When can Colin Mitchell (alias Musing Muso) post a video on Youtube of him playing the Reubke at St Joseph's Ingrow???

     

    If he hasn't got a camera a decent "high end" phone will do!

     

    Why should he? Most forum members are, I'm sure, quite happy to accept what MM has said without further justification.

     

    Some of the posts here are too close to a personal vendetta for my taste.

  23. Posted · Report reply

    That's interesting, and encouraging, that there may be instruments in some state schools.

     

    My old school, King Edward VI Grammar in Stratford-upon-Avon, a state establishment, uses the adjacent Guild Chapel for its services. I doubt that I would have learned the organ if I had not gone there after the 11+. It has recently produced a very fine young organist, whose name escapes me, who went to one of our cathedrals as Organ Scholar.

     

    The chapel has a 2 manual Nicholson which is about to be replaced with a new and ambitious instrument from Principal Pipe Organs of York.

  24. Posted · Report reply

    I have to declare an interest here as a member of the Advisory Council of the IAO and a member of three organists' associations, one of which I am the Secretary of.*

     

    [Lynne Truss Mode] ..for one of which I act as secretary. [/Lynne Truss Mode] ?

     

    Sorry...

     

    From casual observation only, there seems to be a reasonable number of good young organists in the Midlands. There is quite a group of noticeably keen and knowledgeable youngsters, make and female, that attend Thomas Trotter's recitals in Birmingham. Perhaps one of the local "seniors" would like to comment?

     

    The problem area is more the "hobby" organist who would be perfectly competent and happy to play for services at smaller churches but without necessarily wanting to take examinations or diplomas. These seem to be in short supply and this causes a real difficulty in rural area. Even I, with 30+ years handsoff the keyboards and pedals, am been roped in to perform now and again.

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