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Organs and organ appreciation in danger - the raison d'etre for this forum

Started by organforumadmin, April 02, 2010, 11:19:01 AM

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KB7DQH

QuoteDoes that poor organ ever get switched off?! I bet it's got to be pretty much the busiest organ in the country, if not the world...

I guess that should be considered a "good thing" ;D at least until its "tuning time" ;D

Another example of an art museum installation can be found here...http://www.organmatters.co.uk/index.php?topic=175.0

Happy New Year ;)
Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

KB7DQH

The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

KB7DQH

And what one organization has done, and SUCCESSFULLY, to increase appreciation for the organ and organ music...

http://www.nwitimes.com/niche/shore/entertainment/music/article_1824d043-bd2d-5891-9424-a347aaa6e98e.html

QuoteA new generation has discovered the centuries-old tradition of pipe organ music, that intoning and imposing beautiful sound usually associated with chapels, cathedrals and classic movie palaces of the past showcasing the silent film era.

College students are among the loyal audience following of the Twin Cities Organ Concert Series, a nonprofit organization that provides frequent organ performances in Saint Joseph, Benton Harbor and surrounding communities.

The Twin Cities Organ Concert Series Committee is a group of organists and local community enthusiasts that endeavor to "increase the level of appreciation for the organ as an instrument and its repertoire."

According to Jenifer Milnikel, a member of the Twin Cities Organ Concert Series Committee, through this teamwork, they are able to present guest organists, provide scholarships to young aspiring organists and promote collegiality among area musicians.

You will have to read the article in the link to find out about their 10th anniversary celebration concert ;D ;D ;D ;)

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

organforumadmin

Hi!


The problem that we see of organs and organ appreciation disappearing in England appears not to be unique and the organisers of the Symposium in Zurich later this week identify the problems on a wider European basis:
http://www.zhdk.ch/index.php?id=13400
QuoteWith concern, they note

       
  • that the European organ culture risks losing attention and appreciation,
  • that   the familiarity of the music-loving public with organ music has   dwindled over the last decades due to decreasing church attendance,
  • that   in church services the organ is not sufficiently recognized as an   instrument that can be innovative and open to various musical genres and   is ever more being replaced by other instruments or even recorded   music,
  • that the organ has very little presence in non-ecclesiastical concert programming, nor in broadcasting or the print media,
  • that the interest in organ teaching, especially at a professional in conservatories, is falling sharply,
  • that   in some European countries resources for the maintenance and the   preservation of valuable historic or new organs are scarce,
  • that   due to the change of use of some facilities or lack of interest, church   and concert hall organs are no longer used and thus neglected – or even   being disposed of.[/l][/l]
In view of the links acknowledged here between decline in organ appreciation and the decline in church attendance, it would be appropriate if members of this forum who have shied away from the issue telling us that it is inappropriate for faith to be discussed on an organ forum might reconsider that position and participate again, for it is apparent that the wider European view is that it is appropriate to do so . . .


Best wishes


Forum Admin[/list]

KB7DQH

The following news article... presents evidence of one country which still appreciates the King of Instruments :o 8) 8) 8)

But the earthquakes have placed many organs out of action and so a "non-pipe" instrument has been
donated to provide a temporary solution...

http://www.3news.co.nz/Auckland-donates-organ-to-Christchurch/tabid/423/articleID/226280/Default.aspx

QuoteAuckland donates organ to Christchurch

Sun, 18 Sep 2011 6:26p.m.

By Jessica Rowe

Only four of Christchurch's 79 pipe organs survived the city's earthquakes.

With the city's town hall out of action, its magnificent Reiger organ has been temporarily silenced.

But Auckland has come up with the answer.

It is the ceremonial sound of royalty, pomp and celebration.

The Aotea Ali, as it is affectionately named, is one of the largest pipe-less organs in New Zealand and now it is in Christchurch.

The organ was previously housed in Auckland's Aotea Centre but now it is on loan to Christchurch and local organist Martin Setchell says the city has a musical heart again.

"They have loaned this magnificent Allen electronic organ for as long as we need it, to use for our concerts, so it is a life saver for the city."

Many churches suffered significant damage in the earthquakes and Mr Setchell says only about four of the 79 large pipe organs in Christchurch survived, or are accessible after the earthquakes.

In February, this Methodist church collapsed crushing its pipe organ and the three people who were trying to remove it.

And with the city's town hall still out of action, its beautiful Reiger pipe organ is also unavailable for an unknown period of time.

So its temporary replacement, the Aotea Ali has moved to he city's CBS arena, Christchurch's only remaining venue for big public gatherings.

The council says it will help bring the city together again.

Christchurch deputy mayor Ngaire Button says it means they can have some of their iconic events that we look forward every year.

The Aotea Ali is expected to be in Christchurch for several years while the town hall is being restored, playing at many of the city's large public gatherings, including graduations and concerts.

3 News

Read more: http://www.3news.co.nz/Auckland-donates-organ-to-Christchurch/tabid/423/articleID/226280/Default.aspx#ixzz1YSGyfIjk


Their organs may be in danger... but not for lack of appreciation!

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

KB7DQH

QuoteYoung players sustain old pipe organs

QuoteThe Jakarta Post, Jakarta | Sat, 12/10/2011 12:45 PM


The popular Christmas carol "Angels We Have Heard on High" can be heard anywhere in Jakarta in the days leading up to the Christmas holiday.

But to enjoy it played live on a pipe organ in this capital city, one needs to visit old churches, and hope that the instruments are in good condition, and more importantly to find available players.

Vicky Andreani, 29, was one of the rare pipe organists who made one of Jakarta's only five existing organs come to life.

"Playing a pipe organ requires coordination from many parts of our body: our eyes, our two hands and our feet," Vicky said. "It takes time and continuous practice before your body is familiar with the organ."

Playing the Christmas carol for The Jakarta Post with the 75-year-old pipe organ of the GPIB Paulus church, Central Jakarta, on Friday, Vicky said that performing on the instrument so that the music rose and fell rhythmically was never easy.

However, Vicky found that all of her efforts and the challenges she faced were worth it, equal to the splendid sensation she gets from hearing the beautiful sounds of the instrument, which was developed by Europeans in the 17th century.

"I have a big interest in music, including violin and piano. But the classical pipe organ is more fascinating," she said.

Vicky has been playing piano since she was a child but started to learn the pipe organ six years ago.

Pipe organs, which once were the most complex man-made devices, is a musical instrument that produces sound by driving pressurized air through pipes.

Each organ may have anywhere from a dozen pipes and one keyboard to more than 20,000 pipes and seven keyboards.

Having a skill on piano is not the most important thing, strong will is.

"I am lucky that I was a pianist when I became interested in the pipe organ," Vicky said. "At least I didn't have to learn the basic musical skill, only the technical know-how."

Another young organist, Ariwandira Pratama Siagian, said that he needed three to four months to get himself used to the device.

"Like Vicky, I was a classical pianist before I was an organist," said the-21-year old, who likes being called Ari. The student of the Jakarta Theological Seminary said that the most difficult part was to
adapt to the additional tools in the instrument, such as stop knobs to control the different timbre, pitch and volume.

Ari said that continuous practice with the instrument would quickly improve the organists' skill.

Due to the complicated design of the organ, with all the pipes and stop knobs and multiple-layer keyboards, the organs are only available in few churches in Jakarta.

"To practice, we have to go to churches where the instrument is available," Ari said. "So, playing this thing also requires strong dedication."

Both Ari and Vicky believed that the existence of such instruments relied on the sustainability of organists. "There should be a good regeneration to maintain the number of organists," said Vicky.

"Otherwise, the organs will be abandoned in years ahead."

Calvin Eko Saputro, an advanced organist and teacher to the younger players, said that the instrument was not too popular among the youth.

"It is not about how many young people are eager to play it. It is about how many of them know it," he said. "Sadly, many of them don't even know what the pipe organ is."

Eko, the organ teacher at the GPIB Immanuel church in Central Jakarta, said that there were about 16 organists in the church alone.

"Most of them are young organists," he said.

He said that the instrument, due to its beauty and long history, deserved better attention. "The organ can be performed for many occasions other than religious events."

However, Eko acknowledged that the organs available for playing in Jakarta were too limited.

"Classical pipe organs can only be found in three Protestant churches and two Catholic churches," he said. "Even if there are more people who are willing to play it, there are not enough places," he said.

Suwandi, the only mechanic and organ maker in the city, said that expensive production cost and maintenance had dissuaded people from having more organs.

Cheap organs, with pipes of bamboo or metal, can cost Rp 500 million (US$55,500) whereas expensive ones can cost up to Rp 1.5 billion.

"The maintenance costs range from Rp 8 million to more than Rp 20 million," he said.

Suwandi, who has been an organ maker and technician for more than 20 years, said that restoration costs were also pricey. "If an organ is badly broken, it can take more than Rp 500 million and more than one month restoration time."

He regretted that several people, including the church officials, did not show enough concern about pipe organs.

"I have seen many organs broken because of neglect by church administrations," he said. (lfr)

Hope ???

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

KB7DQH

Quote

Hirten speaks about pipe organ in film

The Ventura Chapter of the American Guild of Organists invites the public to "Image is Everything — The Pipe Organ in Film" on at 7:30 p.m. today at St. Paul's Episcopal Church, 3290 Loma Vista Road in Ventura.

American composer and organist, John Karl Hirten, is the guest speaker at the free event.

From the "Phantom of the Opera" to "Minority Report," the organ has a distinguished history in film, not only in musical scores but on the screen itself.

Using film clips and background materials, this presentation looks at the various ways that Hollywood views the pipe organ, and how those views may affect how the organ and organists are viewed.

The evening begins with movie-time refreshments in Kahler Hall. The audience will then be ushered into the sanctuary to hear Hirten play some illustrative selections on the Hedgel organ followed by the video presentation.

For more information, call Sara Edwards at 701-6970.

Read more: http://www.vcstar.com/news/2012/oct/05/hirten-speaks-about-pipe-organ-film/#ixzz290nsxsdO
- vcstar.com

This would have been an interesting event to attend...

Eric
KB7DQH
The objective is to reach human immortality—that is, to create things which are necessary to mankind, necessary to the purpose of the existence of mankind, and which have become the fruit that drives the creation of a higher state of mankind than ever existed before."

Neil Crawford

I don't know if this organ has been reported before.
St Paul's Hockley Birmingham  - A lovely Conacher two Manual rebuilt by Hill Norman and Beard played by Thomas Trotter during the Mander town halll organ rebuild.
See http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=N07367 for specification.
The church has gone happy Clappy !
The organ is in reasonable condition but needs a rebuild.

Church website
https://www.stpaulsjq.church

.

Rivendor

Hi everybody New to this site/forum,  I would like to inform you, or anybody you may know who would be interested, that myself and Business partner have acquired a Church in Kelso, Scottish Borders which houses a JW Walker Pipe Organ from 1900/1901. One of the Carnegie Organs gifted to Churches in Scotland. A real piece of Scottish and world history.

National Organ Register ref: D08535
http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=D08535

We are gutting out the church in order to do some repairs, the organ is going to be sold in order to generate some funds for elsewhere in the building.

Is this something you may be interested in or could you point us in the wrong direction toward someone who would re-home such an instrument.

thank you for your time, Robbie.e.swinton@gmail.com

SL

Quote from: Neil Crawford on July 23, 2017, 12:18:55 PM
I don't know if this organ has been reported before.
St Paul's Hockley Birmingham  - A lovely Conacher two Manual rebuilt by Hill Norman and Beard played by Thomas Trotter during the Mander town halll organ rebuild.
See http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=N07367 for specification.
The church has gone happy Clappy !
The organ is in reasonable condition but needs a rebuild.

Church website
https://www.stpaulsjq.church

Hello Neil Crawford

What, exactly, are you saying?

I'm surprised the church has gone 'Happy Clappy', are you sure about that? It used to be a 'Book of Common Prayer' church!

As for the organ - it did need work doing to it!

The acoustics of St. Paul's are some of the finiest in the Midlands. I broadcast from there on a number of occasions.



David Pinnegar

Quote from: Rivendor on March 16, 2019, 02:01:27 PM
We are gutting out the church in order to do some repairs, the organ is going to be sold in order to generate some funds for elsewhere in the building.

Well good luck with that. Organs are like stray dogs. To be loved or given away. Getting anyone to pay much for one which needs rebuilding. . .  Well put it another way - who'd buy a stray dog knowing that it will need substantial vets' fees.

Best wishes

David P

SL

Quote from: Neil Crawford on July 23, 2017, 12:18:55 PM
I don't know if this organ has been reported before.
St Paul's Hockley Birmingham  - A lovely Conacher two Manual rebuilt by Hill Norman and Beard played by Thomas Trotter during the Mander town halll organ rebuild.
See http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=N07367 for specification.
The church has gone happy Clappy !
The organ is in reasonable condition but needs a rebuild.

Church website
https://www.stpaulsjq.church


Paul Carr, the ex Director of Music, has completely refuted that St. Paul's Birmingham has 'gone happy clappy'



Paul Carr

Quote from: SL on March 18, 2019, 06:47:22 PM
Quote from: Neil Crawford on July 23, 2017, 12:18:55 PM
I don't know if this organ has been reported before.
St Paul's Hockley Birmingham  - A lovely Conacher two Manual rebuilt by Hill Norman and Beard played by Thomas Trotter during the Mander town halll organ rebuild.
See http://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=N07367 for specification.
The church has gone happy Clappy !
The organ is in reasonable condition but needs a rebuild.

Church website
https://www.stpaulsjq.church


Paul Carr, the ex Director of Music, has completely refuted that St. Paul's Birmingham has 'gone happy clappy'

Just for the record...

The church has not gone 'happy clappy, it never did.

The organ is not at risk, certainly no more than the church itself, and that is fairly unlikely with it being grade 1 listed in a highly developed area of the city.

I left, after 13 years as DoM, in August 2016; my position became untenable but this was never to do with style of music or matters relating to music in worship. In fact after I left (followed by the entire choir) the traditional style, with use of the organ continued.

Following a very dark and complicated period for that place, which could be the subject of a very readable book one day, the church finally had a fresh start with a Priest in Charge appointed about a year ago.
He's steadily rebuilding the congregation (which stood at 3) and the place is slowly healing.

The organ is used for the weekly service, played by a RBC Organ Student, and also for concerts such as the run of Carols by Candlelight concerts presented by Ex-Cathedra each Christmas.

The organ is in fairly good condition considering its age, there were of course plans developed for a new organ using the historic pipework alongside new, and extensive surveys and research had been done to ensure that nothing of artistic or historical value was disguarded in the scheme. This had to be put on hold about 6 years ago when it became apparent that the building needed work first and this should have been the priority for any funding.

The building has had some emergency repairs after ceiling collapses, etc. but is still in need of about £1m to restore it, so realistically any organ scheme is a long way off.

I hope that clarifies things.


David Drinkell

Being pedantic - NPOR records the builder as Conacher Sheffield, a different firm from either Peter or James Conacher of Huddersfield. Bernard Edmonds once referred to them as "Conacher Sheffield, upon whom be maledictions".

I hope the rebuilding of the congregation and worship proceeds successfully.

Paul Carr

It's not an organ which can be assigned to one builder in its current form, other than dating it as 1964 HN&B. The pipework is a mixture... mainly Bishop choruses, 'pick and mix' reeds, even within ranks, eg the Bassoon has two octaves of the old Cremona resonators on 1964 boots, a Willis lieblich, some of the pedal upperwork is ex Great Diapason with the ears removed and the cut ups lowered. HN&B made it work against the odds in 1964, and added a new Stopped Diapason on the great, actually a gedact with big ears used to tune it and tenor G down is the bass of the Bishop Clarabella the top end of which resides in the swell! In 1964 the console and mechanical great action and electro pneumatic swell were all new. The soundboards are probably original and in a pretty poor state now. The overriding factor is that it sounds very good!
Interestingly, the HN&B plate says "remodelled" rather than rebuilt...

Ian van Deurne

This seems rather interesting. Although I have no knowledge if this particular instrument, during my somewhat brief apprenticeship in England at the start of my career, I did come across several organs made by Conacher. It should be said that my master never rated them, regarding the company as " a third rate builder". However, I took a little time to study these organs in more detail and I myself concluded that they were extremely well constructed, although at that time I would have never been so bold as to contradict him. Musically, well that was a different matter. My master was not a musician, let alone an organist. But I was, having studied and played many different organs throughout Europe since I was eleven years old. And of course, coming originally from Alkmaar, I think I already knew what a great organ should actually sound like. So personally, I found that the organs from Conacher sounded extremely dull, inanimate and tonally flat, although sturdily and very well made. If only the original voicer had demonstrated some kind of musical understanding, then these instruments produced by Conacher might well have become far better known and as well received as any William Hill or Henry Willis organ of that same period.

With best wishes,
Ian     

Ian van Deurne

This seems rather interesting. Although I have no knowledge if this particular instrument, during my somewhat brief apprenticeship in England at the start of my career, I did come across several organs made by Conacher. It should be said that my master never rated them, regarding the company as " a third rate builder". However, I took a little time to study these organs in more detail and I myself concluded that they were extremely well constructed, although at that time I would have never been so bold as to contradict him. Musically, well that was a different matter. My master was not a musician, let alone an organist. But I was, having studied and played many different organs throughout Europe since I was eleven years old. And of course, coming originally from Alkmaar, I think I already knew what a great organ should actually sound like. So personally, I found that the organs from Conacher sounded extremely dull, inanimate and tonally flat, although sturdily and very well made. If only the original voicer had demonstrated some kind of musical understanding, then these instruments produced by Conacher might well have become far better known and as well received as any William Hill or Henry Willis organ of that same period.

With best wishes,
Ian     

SL

I would say that, in my opinion, that was a very accurate description of Conacher's work

- extremely dull, inanimate and tonally flat although sturdily and very well made!!