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heva

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Posts posted by heva

    Worcester Cathedral

    in The Organ

    Posted

    Mostly organrecordings for tv are crap, so why should this differ? and it proves the point that this instrument is in bad shape.

    But we've seen worse in Holland.

     

    BTW, the french are used to organs out of tune (remember Messiaen's own 1950 recordings?).

    Buxtehude On Period Organs

    in The Organ

    Posted

    I've always wondered what the Buxtehude organ works would sound like on a vast instrument like he had in St.Marien. Most recordings nowadays are on (much) smaller instruments in even (much) smaller churches.

     

    Maybe Stralsund comes somewhat close?

    How Do You Learn A New Piece?

    in General discussion

    Posted

    After having analyzed the composition and writing the fingering and hand layout in the score, I tend to work from end to begin in the piece (and difficult things first), studying hands and feet separately and very fast (say about 150% to 200% of needed speed). Slowing down is much easier to me than speeding up - always hitting a brick wall in the latter case.

    If things go well separate, only then I'll join hands/feet, on a somewhat slower speed (somehow it seems not possible to play a fragment with hands together on the same speed as you can hands separate).

     

    I study fragments in (circular) repeatable frases, in order to have continuous motion, constantly switching between left to right hand (avoid stress in the hands). After many many repeats, I work out the fragment extremely slow ('cool down' on the muscles).

     

    When the piece is good playable, I keep studying it very very slow; taking the shortest notevalue as the pace. This helps me concentrate and almost locks out fingermemory.

    How Would You React To...

    in General discussion

    Posted

    ...being offered mulled wine and mince pies from a silver tray, whilst playing the outgoing voluntary for service of lessons and carols.

     

    Yes, the service had ended with rousing singing of Hark the Herald, final blessing from the boss and away I go into Vierne C de W. I have a page-turner on my right. As the theme enters in the pedals for the first time, I become aware of a silver tray proffered toward me from the left, held above the left jamb of the console. Speechless (well, I'm not clever enough to talk and play at the same time) I press on, hoping against hope that the tray will withdraw. After almost a full minute it finally disappeared, the holder presumably assuming that I wish to abstain.

     

    I still can't believe anyone could be so -------- daft.

    Bah humbug. :)

     

    H

     

    Any idea how long altar boys can wait at H.comm. while I'm playing the choirorgan?

    They just don't go away ...

    Jehan Alain

    in General discussion

    Posted

    On a German forum a question was raised on the death of Jehan Alain. Besides the known version of dying while in combat, there should exist a different version, stating that JA was suffering a mental breakdown and while shooting around wildly was shot by his fellow soldiers. Alain family has fought against such stories in court (succesfull), but it's bewildering me (not interested in gossip, but I consider the breakdown part not an impossibility for such a delicate personality).

     

    Anybody here to tell something about this?

    The Five Organ Recordings You Couldn't Live Without.

    in The Organ

    Posted

    Hmm, difficult ...

     

    - Pierre Cochereau L'Organiste de NotreDame anyway (though disc3 fwith PC going through the roof in the final on Haec Dies would suffice alone)

     

    - Andre Isoir's playing of Grigny/Marchand in St.Maximin

     

    - Louis Thiry playing Messiaen (definitely Banquette Celeste)

     

    But there will be more music than just organmusic in my suitecase ..

    Redundant Organs

    in General discussion

    Posted

    Apologies for using the discussion board as a messaging service. I am looking for two redundant pipe organs for a couple of churches in my diocese where I am D.O.A. They need to be in good condition, around 10-15 stops. We'll even accept extension organs if they're any good! If any of you know of any instruments going begging can you email me on paul.isom@ntlworld.com. I've tried the normal avenues and had no joy at all, having missed several potentially suitable instruments. The churches are both serioulsy strapped for cash, but have at least had the courage of their convictions to decide that a pipe organ is what they really want.

     

    Oh - and welcome back - I too have had withdrawal symptoms!

     

    Paul Isom

     

    What's a D.O.A.?

     

    In my dayjob it means "dead on arrival" :lol: .....

    Would Someone Please Explain?

    in Nuts and bolts

    Posted

    About the coupling:

     

    St.Sulpice is 'different' with regard to manual layout:

    V=solo

    IV= recit

    III=positif

    II=grandorgue

    I=grandchoeur (mutations for grandorgue)

     

    So, playing a tutti GPR as written by Vierne cs. means coupling IV-I playing on I (rythmic accompaniment by DJ Barker). Note: Notre-Dame had a similar layout, changed by Louis Vierne.

     

    I gues the 'ventil controls' you mention are the levers above the pedals - these are for adding/removing mutations+reeds to the manuals/pedals and to work the couplers.

    Also: did you notice the swell pedal?

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