Jonathan Lane

I had a long conversation with Terry Shires about this on a visit to their works, and he explained the idea that virgin tin and virgin lead as now supplied does not meet the requirements for producing good organ pipes and they add a number of impurities. He has also analysed in some depth the composition of some older pipe metals, and as far as I can see there is a definite mettalurgical link between tone produce and composition used. This doesn't decry the work of the voicer, however, this matter fascinates me, and the analysis made of the metal used at various times in history clearly is an important study. Its not just a matter of how much tin and lead you use, or indeed other principle constituents, but the so called impurities. However, I admit to being a novice in this, and definitely no mettalurgist in the more detailed sense. Jonathan

I expect there are examples in this country too, where the damage wasn't extensive. The problem with many of our historic organs, particularly in the South East, London, Coventry and some othe industrial towns, the destruction was complete. Jonathan

John's comments are very helpful to us all. His experience in the industry is renowned. Provided enough analysis of the pipework is done, including metal composition, you would be able to completely recreate the stop to replace the one currently installed. But, and this the big but, the external influences are key. Acoustics as John has already said are very influential, but so is action and type of soundboard, and no end of other small things which help a pipe to speak the way it does. It is an area which interests me as both a player and a builder. I also know Terry Shires is a keen experimenter (perhaps not the right word) with organ pipes from previous generations, schools, and traditions. I also know Manders themselves have built some interesting instruments, St. Andrew's Holborn to name but one, and instrument I always enjoyed playing, despite some criticisms of it. At the end of the day, I suspect most organ builders would say most things are possible, provided the conditions are right, but if they aren't well, the best advice would be to build something suitable to the building. Jonathan

Really worth looking at the OHS even if you don't need the Ralph Downes, there is an excellent selection of books. Jonathan

There is another one available on Abe Books, signed, for the princely sum of £572.38! Jonathan

I think I generally agree David, I thought it was very well made, and actually a lot of computer animations (unless you are the Disney corporation) are very similar these days. I am very aware lof you concerns about teachers and organs, as we've discussed before. However, it is a start, and probably better than nothing, and for that I think the RCO needs a little congratulation for a change. We wait to see whether the follow up can support it though! Jonathan

This is excellent, we are getting worship as intended directly as a web broadcast, and they've gone all the way, if you don't like worship 'intact', you can edit out the bits you don't want to listen to, thanks to the track selection ability of the system. Maybe we will see more Oxbridge Colleges and Cathedrals, and even parish churches doing this in the future. Well done St. John's. Jonathan

I'm going to have to sit squarely on the fence here, because I can see the arguments on both sides, and generally agree with them both. I'm fond of something entertaining and different, from time to time, but I'm probably also a bit too traditional, because I like real organ music played properly. I think the idea of a last night of the proms is a great one, but probably more rooted in the town hall tradition, particularly transcriptions, after all that is why many town hall organs were installed. I think the comparison of orchestras needing to attract people in by making changes to their programme is actually quite entertaining, but after all that is what the organ was installed to do, in place of the orchestra where a town couldn't afford to hire an orchestra, just a poorly paid organist (a whole new topic!). I will have to continue to sit on th fence, I'm interested to hear Cameron Carpenter, but not entirely sure I want a whole evening of it! Jonathan

I think I mentioned it right back at the beginning, and excellent film, with a lot of good shots of Beverley Minster, and the village church of Lund, just up the road from Beverley, although I'm not so aware of the organ being used much there. Its a long time since I've seen it, its on betamax, must dig it out. Shows of the Beverley organ well. Another relative of mine was in this one, as a schoolboy, he was at Beverley Grammar School, and they were used for some of the school scenes, needless to say, he didn't go into the business, so is unknown, unlike the previously mentioned one! I'm trying to remember what Denholme Elliott 'plays', I know he plays the C minor prelude (BWV546), but can't remember what else. Jonathan

The church appears to be Christ Church West Ealing (from the notice board outside), which is now known as Christ the Saviour. It had an 1840 Walker, which has been rebuilt three times since, all by Walker, most recently in 1990. NPOR link here. Jonathan

I'll do some checking, a distant relative was in the film. It is currently on 4 on Demand. Jonathan

I actually find it shows great integrity on the part of Manders to facilitate such discussion of other builders work. It shows they fear nothing from their competitors, and rightly so, I have always found their instruments a real pleasure to play. That is not to say that the organs by these competitors are not also fine instruments, as many are. Jonathan

It continues to amaze me when I do quotes and advice on organ work, how many people think that the only pipes an organ has are those they can see! J

Where were you sitting. We took Adrian's advice and sat at the top of the raked seating. What an experience! Jonathan

I'm also not unsupportive of the work they do with young people, but I need more support, especially the likes of the ISM and MU which provide me with legal and financial advice as well as endemnity. If the RCo did that maybe I would rejoin, but only maybe! Jonathan

The problem the college has is that it offers nothing to the majority of organists out their actually doing the job rather than training for it, consequently, the high membership fee becomes a luxury, hence my own resignation from the college. Jonathan

This makes me look forward even more to his recital at Arundel Cathedral on Saturday 26 July. Jonathan

Trumpet Tune in D by David Johnson Jonathan

Superb, it looks like it was always meant to be there! Jonathan

Does anyone know this piece or have a recording of it I could borrow. I have it on order from an excellent company in Scandanavia, but have never heard it. I've been asked to play it for a wedding in September. Thanks, Jonathan

Heres another one, my assistant played it in a recital a few weeks ago: Le Moulin d’Alphonse Daudet, à Fontvielle: Eugène Reuchsel Jonathan

It was the voluntary on a Priory recording from Hereford Cathedral, played by David Briggs. There was also a great selection of other music sung superbly. PRCD 247 Jonathan

This is also an interesting point, because I charge for admin time for seeing wedding couples, preparing scores if needed, etc. Until recently we had a flat rate. I asked the PCC to put this up to £35 (my hourly rate for teaching), and they said it was too much, so I agreed to charge a rate that reflected the hours spent, which is now £35/hour, they have to pay for the first hour, and after that in 15 min blocks. Needless to say they now pay more than I asked the PCC for! If you think this is mercenary of me, well maybe it is, however, I often spend a lot of time preparing wedding couples sometimes up to 4 hours, so I think it is reasonable to charge. Jonathan

I'm not sure I agree with this. Just because it has become common for people to record weddings without asking, and that they have the technology does not make it right. We run a strict video policy. We say they can have a video, professional or otherwise, but have to pay the fee (out of which we pay for their video licence), but if they do not want a video we ask them to make this clear to their congregation. We use two arguments for this, one is copyright, the other is child protection. We insist that we get specific permission to video the choir, so I can ask parents in advance. It generally works. Last year we had one incident where a member of the congregation used a video camera, and the grooms mother was very angry with him! They understood the reality of the situation. It still surprises me when people don't ask and try to video, but the verger puts them in their place! I now make this clear to couples when I play away from home, there is no issue, nor with my fee, which is quite high, another thing I have no qualms about since finding out one band who I enquired to play for a friends wedding reception said they charge £20,000! Jonathan

Not at all, personally I find the use of any recording intrusive to my performance, and consequently it makes me nervous and affects that performance. I don't like videoed weddings for the same reason (except the extra money that is!). My last lunchtime recital at Rugby Parish Church some years ago, shortly before I moved on, was interrupted by three students who came into the church with a video camera, and wandered around during the recital. I challenged them, as did several other people, and they were very abusive, saying I had no right to stop them. To be honest, that incident, way back in 2001, has affected my recitals ever since. Jonathan