Royal Hospital School, Holbrook

[Andrew Butler]

I have the opportunity of playing the iconic HN&B in a few weeks' time, but with very limited time, as I am going to be in the area helping a friend professionally and time is very tight as I don't want to inconvenience my friend's plans. (Although she is glad of the opportunity to see the chapel and will be videoing!)

Is it an easy organ to handle and get to know?  I want to use the time I have wisely!

[John Furse]

As with many organs, it’s best heard away from the console and when not playing it ! When my little piece was recorded there by Regent, most of the mikes were on the floor of the nave, albeit somewhat elevated. It is, nonetheless, more than good at the console. Marvel at the size of the gallery.

You can see from the console photo on NPOR (I can privately send you a better one), there is a sufficiency of aids to registration and coupling, etc. It should be noted, however, that the action is quite old and slightly ‘clattery’. There was a plan to raise, I believe, well over £1,000,000 for a complete refurbishment.

Having said all of that, it is a fabulous instrument in the most gorgeous acoustic, which is more than close to St Paul’s. It should prove one of your best organ experiences and I, for one, will be interested to find out your impressions.

If you don’t mind a few suggestions, compare the choirs of strings (Choir, Swell, Solo), the reeds (Great, Swell, Solo), the diapasons (Choir, Great, Swell), for example. The alternation of these was employed to great effect in the registration of my piece.

Finally, use some minutes to walk on the 'ground floor' and soak in the beauty of what is, in effect, a basilica . . . imagining how poly-choral Gabrieli would sound there.

[Andrew Butler]

Thank you! Very helpful. My friend will be taking plenty of photos of organ and chapel (She lives 2 minutes away but has never been inside) Maybe the odd video...

[Andrew Butler]

On 18/06/2024 at 11:16, John Furse said:

As with many organs, it’s best heard away from the console and when not playing it ! When my little piece was recorded there by Regent, most of the mikes were on the floor of the nave, albeit somewhat elevated. It is, nonetheless, more than good at the console. Marvel at the size of the gallery.

You can see from the console photo on NPOR (I can privately send you a better one), there is a sufficiency of aids to registration and coupling, etc. It should be noted, however, that the action is quite old and slightly ‘clattery’. There was a plan to raise, I believe, well over £1,000,000 for a complete refurbishment.

Having said all of that, it is a fabulous instrument in the most gorgeous acoustic, which is more than close to St Paul’s. It should prove one of your best organ experiences and I, for one, will be interested to find out your impressions.

If you don’t mind a few suggestions, compare the choirs of strings (Choir, Swell, Solo), the reeds (Great, Swell, Solo), the diapasons (Choir, Great, Swell), for example. The alternation of these was employed to great effect in the registration of my piece.

Finally, use some minutes to walk on the 'ground floor' and soak in the beauty of what is, in effect, a basilica . . . imagining how poly-choral Gabrieli would sound there.

I didn't have a lot of time, and no music with me as I was travelling very light from and to France - so it was just a few bits from memory, and improvisation.

One can learn a lot about an organ from the incumbent's piston settings - in this case that the Great Mixture comes on with the 4' Tromba. I imagine there must be an obvious "break" somewhere.  The French Horn is gorgeous, and the 32' reed shakes the foundations!  

My friend who was with me had her fingers in her ears once or twice!