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Two Oxford Organs

Started by oxonorg, August 29, 2012, 12:01:15 AM

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oxonorg

Two Oxford chapel organs at the opposite end of the tonal spectrum: the 1969 Grant, Degens and Bradbeer at New College and the 1937 Harrison at Somerville, which is currently being restored:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdIf40E1s9o
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H9rN-4f33ec

David Pinnegar

Hi!

Thanks so much for posting this. I really enjoyed the recording of the GDB instrument but is the excitement we hear there on account of size and resulting versatility rather than difference of tonality?

Best wishes

David P

oxonorg

Not necessarily. The Somerville organ is somewhat underpowered, even for an instrument of its size. The pedal stops in particular just lack definition and character. It's very well suited to more lyrical pieces, early romantic music and choral accompaniments (see http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nIwxmEKdIQw), but it certainly doesn't generate as much excitement as its counterpart at New.