sbarber49

😀

What about the "Herr Gott, nun schleuss" from the Neumeister Collection (BWV 1092)? A lively miniature chorale fantasia with echo effects and a "cadenza" at the final cadence: http://ks.imslp.net/files/imglnks/usimg/1/17/IMSLP168880-WIMA.3009-BWV1092,HerrGottnunschleuss.pdf I may, however, go for Tambling's Fanfare on "Shine, Jesus, shine" as that will be our last hymn!

Over Christmas (so far!) I've played the same as I always seem to do as I never look out anything new in time. Before services: J.M. Bach's "In dulci jubilo", a selection of Rathgeber's Christmas Pastorales, Dandrieu Noels, Brahms "Es ist ein Ros'", Bach "Gelobet seist"du (Orgelbuchlein. After: Bach "In dulci" , Held "God rest you", Bedard "Toccata on Il est ne" (was to be a Fugue on We wish you a merry - mine - but I left it at home!) Tomorrow Guilmant's "Inroduction et Variations sur un ancien Noel Polonais". Before the service (depending on when the bells stop!) probably part of Bijster's Variations on "Komt, wilt u spoeden naar Bethlehem"

The slow movement of Guilmant's 3rd Sonata is a lovely piece in my view. And what about the wonderful Adagio from Vierne's 3rd Symphony? (Both out of copyright and can be legally downloaded from IMSLP)

Another favourite Paul Edwards piece of mine is his short Lullaby (from Two Miniatures) - published originally by Oecumuse, but now republished by Fagus-Music. Very Delius-influenced and certainly with luuriant harmonies.

Rowley and Oldroyd are still in copyright, of course.

The following seems to suggest that Gordon Grimes is a pseudonym for Gordon Hitchcock. I might be getting it wrong, though. https://books.google.co.uk/books?id=NTIhAQAAIAAJ&dq=university carol book gordon grimes gordon hitchcock&pg=PA1514#v=onepage&q=university carol book gordon grimes gordon hitchcock&f=false

Spectacular, maybe. Am I the only person who thinks it's "sound and fury signifying nothing"?

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I have Boots hearing aids. They were, at the time I got them, more or less "top of the range". I got these rather than NHS ones especially since I know cheaper ones were not good for music - in particular, organ music. I found that high notes caused a lot of distortion but when I told the audiologist this she didn't know how to improve it. I brought in a tablet with a programme that played pure sounds at various pitches and asked if it could be the "whistle-block" that was causing the problem. She didn't think so but did try turning it off. Hey presto: no distortion! I was amazed she hadn't come across this before as she was very experienced and an adviser to others. She gave me a "music programme" which didn't have the "whistle block". Worth trying that first. I still found listening to music and, especially, organs unpleasant but it is now much better as I later got her to turn down the treble on the music programme quite a bit. Less good for speech but much better for the high sounds on organs. It is also much better for listening to strings as they were very "scratchy". I have since also got NHS hearing aids which are very good for normal use but do have some distortion when listening to organ music.

Would permission from the Diocesan Organ Advisor, and a DAC Faculty, not be needed for any changes?

I thought that only the first section of the piece was based on a Processional for Fanny's wedding but that the rest of the piece was added later.

Very sad to report the death of David Drinkell. Formerly organist of Belfast Cathedral, and later at Christ Church Cathedral, Frederikston. A frequent contributor here. From the cathedral's Facebook page: Christ Church Cathedral is today mourning the death of a dear friend and member of Cathedral staff, David Drinkell. David's talent, his wit and friendship are among what we are remembering today. We are also praying for Elspeth as she navigates this loss. "Lord, now lettest thou thy servant depart in peace ..."

I also played the Harwood for FRCO but I've never, ever played it since!

Like VH I learnt to accompany before the era of televisions and speakers. It does teach you the importance of listening very carefully as well as the importance of a good musical rapport with the conductor. I played in a distant, very high, organ loft where the only sight of the conductor was over the left shoulder - a narrow gap between two banners. It's different now, and the expectation is that the organist will follow the conductor's beat in a way which was then impossible. That can be a mixed blessing, mind you. Especially when the conductor feels it necessary to conduct all the organ only sections - I remember having to turn the monitor off for the first page of Blest Pair of Sirens so I couldn't see the flailing around. I also find it difficult if there is no television as the glasses I have to use to see the music don't allow me to see a conductor clearly at any distance. Nowadays, with access to Youtube, streaming, downloads etc., if I'm playing something that don't know I often play along with a recording when I'm practising it so I hear exactly what the choir parts sound like. I find it very helpful if the rhythms are tricky the choir and organ parts don't coincide closely.

It was an interesting arrangement - quite a lot of Guillou in it, but still Vivaldi. The whole recital was terrific.

See.

Does anyone else play the Rathgeber Christmas Pastorales? I find them very useful for playing before carol services. Jolly and lively. http://shop.trinitycollege.com/shop/prod/Rathgeber-Johann-Valentin-10-Christmas-Pastorales-Organ/684858

I'm also surprised. I thought that I'd read reasonably recently that Oxbridge colleges were despairing at the low standard of candidates for organ scholarships.

I see there's an obituary in The Telegraph: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/obituaries/2018/08/28/henry-willis-organ-builder-obituary/

I made one to suit my fingers (so fewer difficulties!). If anyone wants a copy, PM me. I've never come across Harvey Grace's arrangement. Where could I find it?

Indeed, in my benefice (King's Cliffe, Northants) there are Holdich organs in Easton-on-the-Hill (a fine one, renovated by Richard Bowers), Bulwick, and a small one-manual in Laxton (complete with Diaocton), also renovated by Bowers. Collyweston has a one-manual that is also reputed to be by Holdich.

Though still in copyright, of course.

Try Leighton's Fanfare. It's a very effective, easy piece and I don't think it's often played (probably because it was published in the OUP book, "Easy Modern Organ Music". I think it's also in the Leighton Organ Music Book (OUP). There's a good one by Bliss: "A Wedding Fanfare".

You've only got to spend a short time looking at the work of "composers" on the internet (e.g. CPDL) to see what garbage a lack of technique can produce.