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The Ugly!


Guest Andrew Butler

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Guest paul@trinitymusic.karoo.co.uk
Tonal quality is nit the question, but here's my starter for the "ugly book"

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=N03473

 

 

I've often driven through Aynho and wondered what might be in there - interesting village. I know your chosen target is a teensy bit ugly, but it must sound pretty good - what a great survival.

 

If I were an organ, I'd look like that, only deeper back to front.

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I've often driven through Aynho and wondered what might be in there - interesting village. I know your chosen target is a teensy bit ugly, but it must sound pretty good - what a great survival.

 

If I were an organ, I'd look like that, only deeper back to front.

 

Here are two I can't quite decide between:

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=D06450

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=K00050

 

Sadly many of this gentleman's instruments are no longer present to be marvelled at.

 

 

There is another on the NPOR which sadly has no photo, but would be worth including for the description of console type - which, instead of saying "detached", etc merely states "Plastic."

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Here are two I can't quite decide between:

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=D06450

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=K00050

 

Sadly many of this gentleman's instruments are no longer present to be marvelled at.

There is another on the NPOR which sadly has no photo, but would be worth including for the description of console type - which, instead of saying "detached", etc merely states "Plastic."

 

There is also the organ St John's RC church in Bath from the same 'stable' - previously incarnate as the Walker at Hull Uni. A very odd looking casework possibly made by theatrical scenery makers (it looks like it to me anyway). Details as yet not reached the NPOR although the instrument has been there for a while. It doesn't actually sound too bad though.

 

AJJ

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I've often driven through Aynho and wondered what might be in there - interesting village. I know your chosen target is a teensy bit ugly, but it must sound pretty good - what a great survival.

 

If I were an organ, I'd look like that, only deeper back to front.

 

I didn't expect that when I clicked on the link! My mother was installed as Rector of Aynho in October and I played for her induction and installation... I don't think it has survived because of its sound though! Took me a while to get used to the straight two-octave pedal board. There are 5 parishes in the benefice and none of them have particularly good instruments. Mum wanted the L-W Sortie... it didn't happen, but a Bach fugue didn't sound too bad on it.

 

If you want to pop in next time you're travelling through I'm sure we could fix up getting into it. I'll be travelling up there Christmas Day - they wanted me to go up and play for their services but I'm playing in Canterbury.

 

Steve

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Guest paul@trinitymusic.karoo.co.uk
Here are two I can't quite decide between:

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=D06450

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=K00050

 

Sadly many of this gentleman's instruments are no longer present to be marvelled at.

There is another on the NPOR which sadly has no photo, but would be worth including for the description of console type - which, instead of saying "detached", etc merely states "Plastic."

 

 

I love the way in which the (probably one thickness of chipboard) roof of the left hand tone cabinet sags ever so slightly in the middle!

 

I will have to search out the photos I took of the Rushworth and Dreaper 'installation' at St.Mary's Radstock, Somerset which I had the privilege of taking away some years ago. That was, seriously, about as ugly as it can get. The workmanship also had to be seen to be believed. To clarify further, I mean bad not good!

 

Has anyone a photo they can display here of St.James the Great, Grimsby, the west end case? That makes your Aynho case look positively decorative. To be fair, an intended 'proper' case was never made, but the substitute front does not appeal, not 5%!

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Guest Nigel ALLCOAT

I just loved the full frontal picture of the Free Church in Calne, David where it looked as if the congregation had been throwing bags of flour at the organ, but missed. However, I am sure that it was the bees knees in its day. When that went into those arches for the first time, few people travelled more than 6 miles away from their home and thus had little idea of musical instruments and unfluences. Today, as you know, we can flick a switch and hear any instrument we care to hear out of a CD cover. Being a Diocesan chappie, I find that I have some extrordinary gems lurking in the leafy lanes of Warwickshire. They look dreadful - but surprisingly the sound is quite beautiful when one appreciates the use in those days. Long Compton is one such example. (Grab a map!)

 

Perhaps the photos (of the first, certainly) don't help! In this age of digital devices, I think some need up-grading on the register.

 

All best wishes to all,

Nigel

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I just loved the full frontal picture of the Free Church in Calne, David where it looked as if the congregation had been throwing bags of flour at the organ, but missed. However, I am sure that it was the bees knees in its day. When that went into those arches for the first time, few people travelled more than 6 miles away from their home and thus had little idea of musical instruments and unfluences. Today, as you know, we can flick a switch and hear any instrument we care to hear out of a CD cover. Being a Diocesan chappie, I find that I have some extrordinary gems lurking in the leafy lanes of Warwickshire. They look dreadful - but surprisingly the sound is quite beautiful when one appreciates the use in those days. Long Compton is one such example. (Grab a map!)

 

Perhaps the photos (of the first, certainly) don't help! In this age of digital devices, I think some need up-grading on the register.

 

All best wishes to all,

Nigel

 

Not so about the age - the old (pre-2002) Conacher organ was usable, if a little fat. This is more or less all new, 2002. Action current supplied by battery chargers, that type of thing. The same builder has provided many similar (and many worse) instruments, the most spectacular of which only lasted 6 months before being binned. Really, really shocking and now banned in all diocese, I understand, except Norwich, where you can still come across him from time to time.

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Guest delvin146
Tonal quality is nit the question, but here's my starter for the "ugly book"

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=N03473

 

Shame my nomination does not appear to be on NPOR unfortunately. St. Sebastian's Lockarbie Road, Liverpool. 1988 Corkill 2 man extension organ, blessed by Bishop Warlock.. and my God it needed it!!

 

West end gallery, with the console of some old chamber organ nailed to the side of the swell box overhanging the balcony complete with music desk and holes where the stops used to be, to give it that "quality" look. Quite a sight to behold.

 

Great diapason chorus on which looks to be directly winded ply-wood wind chest, with a lovely "Do not touch the pipes" notice being held by the dedication plate which is the oval centre of an old hanky box reversed. Great is pretty much unusable with unsteady wind and so much pressure it nearly knocks you off the organ bench. Don't suppose anyone has a picture of this little gem?

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Shame my nomination does not appear to be on NPOR unfortunately. St. Sebastian's Lockarbie Road, Liverpool. 1988 Corkill 2 man extension organ, blessed by Bishop Warlock.. and my God it needed it!!

 

West end gallery, with the console of some old chamber organ nailed to the side of the swell box overhanging the balcony complete with music desk and holes where the stops used to be, to give it that "quality" look. Quite a sight to behold.

 

Great diapason chorus on which looks to be directly winded ply-wood wind chest, with a lovely "Do not touch the pipes" notice being held by the dedication plate which is the oval centre of an old hanky box reversed. Great is pretty much unusable with unsteady wind and so much pressure it nearly knocks you off the organ bench. Don't suppose anyone has a picture of this little gem?

 

Hi

 

A picture and stop list, etc. would be appreciated by NPOR as well - we are trying to fill in the gaps!

 

Every Blessing

 

Tony

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Guest delvin146
Hi

 

A picture and stop list, etc. would be appreciated by NPOR as well - we are trying to fill in the gaps!

 

Every Blessing

 

Tony

 

Don't have much to do with the place! I remember it seems to have about 5 ranks, including a later Walker trumpet. About 25 stops going from memory, all duplicated between manuals with larigots and all that jazz. I thought NPOR were only interested in real organs or maybe the organist association would like to book a visit to see this rather unique machine.

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Here are two I can't quite decide between

I'm equally torn about whether to nominate this one .... :o

 

With its pedigree, I'm sure it sounds lovely, something I'll have to find out for myself next year when it seems a sizeable proportion of contributors to this board are appearing! ;)

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=N11434

 

and I love the tiddly 'plug-in' console

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=D07173

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Guest Lee Blick
Is this for real? The console looks like an adapted pianola. And where are the 8' pipes? Or is this a detached console with dummy pipes on top?

 

Make you wanna play "Roll out the barrel" as the voluntary, presumably to direct congregants to the local pub.

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I thought NPOR were only interested in real organs

 

Hi

 

Who decides what's a "real organ". Basically, if it's a pipe organ of any description, we try and list it on NPOR. I can assure you that there are some real oddities!

 

Every Blessing

 

Tony

 

Is this for real? The console looks like an adapted pianola. And where are the 8' pipes? Or is this a detached console with dummy pipes on top?

 

Hi

 

According to http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=N06134 the pipe organ is in the West Gallery - the picture in the link looks very much like a pipe-top reed organ case - possibly an Estey?

 

Every Blessing

 

Tony

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Is this for real? The console looks like an adapted pianola. And where are the 8' pipes? Or is this a detached console with dummy pipes on top?

 

I suppose if you're trying to sell "proper" organs to Ebzeneezer chapels and the like, this is a good way of doing it whilst retaining that harmonium look. I see from NPOR it was originally built for a house. Looks rather fun to me! I wonder where the pipes are?

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I suppose if you're trying to sell "proper" organs to Ebzeneezer chapels and the like, this is a good way of doing it whilst retaining that harmonium look. I see from NPOR it was originally built for a house. Looks rather fun to me! I wonder where the pipes are?

 

Hi

 

See my previous post! According to NPOR, the organ (i.e. the pipes) are in a West Gallery.

 

Every Blessing

 

Tony

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Here are two I can't quite decide between:

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=D06450

 

http://npor.emma.cam.ac.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch...ec_index=K00050

 

Sadly many of this gentleman's instruments are no longer present to be marvelled at....

Who? Robin Wynn?

 

He did the organ at Corston, near Bath, back in 1989. I took a look at it once and, upon finding the way up to the organ loft to be behind a curtain, went up. Didn't have a play but it looked a nice instrument.

 

If you aren't referring to Wynn then who were you referring to?

 

Dave

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