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Topics - revtonynewnham

#21
Organ Builders / John Mander to retire
June 30, 2018, 09:28:00 AM
Hi

Announced on the Mander organs forum yesterday, John Mander, who has headed the firm for 35 years, is to retire.  New directors have been appointed, and the firm will shortly become in effect employee-owned.

I'm sure we all wish John a long & happy retirement.
#22
Organ Builders / Henry Willis IV RIP
June 24, 2018, 09:06:58 AM
From Facebook this morning:-

"It is with tremendous sadness that Henry Willis & Sons Ltd. has reported the death of Henry Willis 4 b. 19th Jan 1927 - d. 23rd June 2018
Mr. Willis was the last member of the Willis dynasty to be materially involved in the family firm from which he stood down as Managing Director on his birthday in 1997, later appointing David Wyld to the position: he continued as the Majority Shareholder until the 28th November 1998.
An obituary has been written by Bruce Buchanan and will appear in The Times tomorrow."
#23
Miscellaneous & Suggestions / Back from hospital
May 30, 2018, 09:48:39 AM
Just endured another week in hospital -  low sodium again, precipitating low blood pressure & a fall.
#24
Hi

I've been asked about insurance values for a historic 4m 35 stop pipe organ.  Any ideas?

Every Blessing

Tony
#25
Questions of Temperament / 36 keys per octave
April 10, 2018, 09:22:17 AM
Hi

This article might be of interest:- https://www.voxhumanajournal.com/keller2018?utm_campaign=75801abd77-EMAIL_CAMPAIGN_2017_10_29&utm_medium=email&utm_so
(If that doesn't work - not sure it's the complete link_ got to https://www.voxhumanajournal.com/ and work from there)

Every Blessing

Tony
#26
Hi

I had quite a surprise yesterday morning, when this appeared on my You Tube subscriptions e-maila:- https://youtu.be/tbL-HlGHdD8

The thumbnail (of the top of one of the pipe towers) immediately looked familiar, and when I saw the whole organ, I realised it was the c.1820 chamber organ in my  last church, Heaton Baptist in Bradford.  A much travelled instrument that wre think was built by a skilled amateur woodworker copying a much older instrument for some of the details.  When the church closed, we used the normal channels to advertise the availability of the organ, and received an enquiry from Australia, and eventually the organ was sold to them.  It was removed and packed by Willis', who had restored the organ the a few years earlier and had the care of it since. 

It's very pleasing to see and hear the results.  The organ  has been saved.

My You Tube channel has a few recordings of the instrument at Heaton - some pre-restoration.

Every Blessing

Tony
#27
Organs in danger / Good news for a change!
April 02, 2018, 10:12:37 AM
Hi

I had quite a surprise yesterday morning, when this appeared on my You Tube subscriptions e-maila:- https://youtu.be/tbL-HlGHdD8

The thumbnail (of the top of one of the pipe towers) immediately looked familiar, and when I saw the whole organ, I realised it was the c.1820 chamber organ in my  last church, Heaton Baptist in Bradford.  A much travelled instrument that wre think was built by a skilled amateur woodworker copying a much older instrument for some of the details.  When the church closed, we used the normal channels to advertise the availability of the organ, and received an enquiry from Australia, and eventually the organ was sold to them.  It was removed and packed by Willis', who had restored the organ the a few years earlier and had the care of it since. 

It's very pleasing to see and hear the results.  The organ  has been saved.

My You Tube channel has a few recordings of the instrument at Heaton - some pre-restoration.

Every Blessing

Tony
#28
Miscellaneous & Suggestions / John Marsh Book
March 08, 2018, 09:05:39 AM
Hi

I've just finished reading "John Marsh. A Most Elegant & Beautiful Instrument.  the Organ" by Martin Renshaw.

This deals with the life of John Marsh (1752-1828) majoring on his organ (and to an extent other musical interests).  It's a fascinating and worthwhile read - how different was the world that Marsh lived in!

The book is available from "At the Sign of the Pipe" (http://www.signofthepipe.com/).

Every Blessing

Tony
#29
Hi

BBC Radio 3 "Late Junction"  Noticed this the other day, and currently listening on iPlayer.  Not sure how much it will say about different temperaments, but should be worth a listen.  Programme info reads:- "Marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Lou Harrison, Verity plays a mix of music that uses unequal temperaments, or alternative tuning systems."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08q2rxv

The segment starts after the opening track.

Every Blessing

Tony
#30
Hi

After several years of problems with faults, York Baptist Church are wanting to replace their existing Wyvern digital organ - and it's available either for repair, or for conversion to Hauptwerk (or other) computer simulator.  Some pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/zp1i42GAHZk514S16  Contact me if you're interested, and I'll put you in touch with the relevant person at the church.

Every Blessing

Tony
#31
Hi

After several years of problems with faults, York Baptist Church are wanting to replace their existing Wyvern digital organ - and it's available either for repair, or for conversion to Hauptwerk (or other) computer simulator.  Some pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/zp1i42GAHZk514S16  Contact me if you're interested, and I'll put you in touch with the relevant person at the church.

Every Blessing

Tony
#32
Electronic Organs / Wyvern 2m organ available
May 16, 2017, 09:39:10 AM
Hi

After several years of problems with faults, York Baptist Church are wanting to replace their existing Wyvern digital organ - and it's available either for repair, or for conversion to Hauptwerk (or other) computer simulator.  Some pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/zp1i42GAHZk514S16  Contact me if you're interested, and I'll put you in touch with the relevant person at the church.

Every Blessing

Tony
#33
Electronic Organs / An interesting afternoon
April 03, 2017, 09:41:14 AM
Hi

On Saturday afternoon I was able to get to a local "roadshow" arranged by Church Orgaan World (Johannus, Makin & Copeman-Hart, plus UK importer of Rogers organs).  It was very interesting to see and play a small range of instruments that they now sell - plus there was a large selection of CD's, DVD,s and sheet music to browse and buy - should have leeft my wallet at home!!!).

The venue was a church in Kenilworth that has recently been reordered nd Makin have installed a 3 manual organ with speakers (switable) at both West & East ends.  There was also a smaller Makin organ, plus an example of their custom built continuo organs, and the latest project  - the iLive, that has stop knobs that change wording when different sample sets are loaded!  In addition, there was a Johannus instrument designged for home practice, and a 3m Rogers.

It would be unfair for me to make anything othert than generalised comments on the instruments on the basis of a few minutes listening & playing in less than quiet circumstances!  Suffice to say I was quite impressed by the tonality of the budget Johannus - but then, it's been a couple of decades since I've played one of that brand.  Mixed feelings about the Makins (I didn't ry the iLive, but heard it a few times), and the Rogers is typically American - and fine for what it is.  All in all, an interesting expidition, and recommended if one comes to your area.

I should perhaps add that I'm more than happy with my current home organ, so I wasn't in organ purchase mode!

Every Blessing

Tony
#34
Local Organist Associations / Coventry Comptoms
February 23, 2017, 08:35:49 AM
Last Saturday, I was with the Coventry & Warwickshire Organists' association and we visited two small Compton organs in Coventry.  I was able to do some rather rough & ready videos of them (excuse the playing - I've not had much opportunity to practice recently!)

First up was Bablake School - recently rebuilt by Trevor Tipple with the addition of an unenclosed Trumpet and some changes to the Great upperwork. https://youtu.be/N8NnmmGSJvM?list=PLT4JufLurcFudrNY9yBNkKF2b92XIMX-w

Second organ was just down the road at St George, Coventry.  An untouched 4 rank job - the reed unit is quite a beast!  Stop list for both are on NPOR. https://youtu.be/y0dvrGtjxa4?list=PLT4JufLurcFsvI77TubfXQIe_HqFonjlq

The differences in sound between the 2 organs which are originally of similar vintage is interesting.  The reed unit at St George's would probably be at home in a small cathedral!

Every Blessing

Tony
#35
Reed organs and harmoniums / Reed Organ Weekend
March 10, 2016, 09:40:52 AM
Harmonium UK 2016
September 10th & 11th provide an opportunity for musicians & enthusiasts to explore the wonderful world of the Harmonium.  The event, under the auspices of the Reed Organ Society will include concerts, demonstrations, and exhibition of historic material and artefacts, talks, and more. 
The venue for the events is Hammerwood Park, a stately home in the idyllic Sussex countryside near East Grinstead in East Sussex.  Hammerwood Park was built in 1792 by Benjamin Henry Latrobe (1764 - 1820), architect of the White House and US Capitol Building in Washington D.C., and many others.  Hammerwood is close to Gatwick Airport and the Channel Ports and Channel Tunnel (and there is a heliport close by!).  Closest railway station is East Grinstead.  There are many hotels and B&B options within easy reach.
The event runs from Saturday morning until Sunday afternoon.  Day visitors are welcome.  Advance booking is essential for the conference, but, space allowing, the concerts on Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon will be open to the public.
Further information from:- 
revtonynewnham@gmail.com (please give an e-mail address if possible).
Rev Tony Newnham
(Reed Organ Society UK Representative)
32 Juliet Drive
RUGBY
CV22 6LY

Web sites:
Reed Organ Society  http://www.reedsoc.org/
Hammerwood Park   http://hammerwoodpark.co.uk/

#36
Miscellaneous & Suggestions / Christmas Greetings
December 24, 2015, 09:30:32 AM
Wishing all forum members a very happy & Blessed Christmas.

#37
Organ Builders / Peter Collins RIP
October 28, 2015, 10:29:22 AM
The following letter from the family of Peter Collins is posted on behalf of Barry Williams.  Sad news indeed.

With great sadness the Team at Peter Collins Limited, regret to announce the passing of Peter Collins on the 24th October.

The Company would like to thank all of its Clients, Staff and Suppliers for their much appreciated support during this difficult time.

We are pleased to confirm that the Company continues to operate as normal.

The family are planning to organise a Memorial Concert for Peter and wish to raise money for the LOROS Hospice and Cancer Research. We will circulate more details, once a date and location are confirmed.

The Collins Family
#38
Hi

I've uploaded some tracks from my recent recital on the WIllis of St Michael the Archangel, Retford.

Hope you'll enjoy them.

https://youtu.be/ZQSF9IdGTm8?list=PLT4JufLurcFsyNCg3yLx1PtUvGsYrFP74

Every Blessing

Tony
#39
Organ concerts / St Michael, Retford
October 06, 2015, 09:53:25 AM
Hi

On Thursday (8th October) I'm playing a lunchtime recital on the Willis organ at St Michael, Retford.  Start time is 12:30 (and I assume, as last yer, a light buffet lunch will be available prior to the recital.

Programme is:-
Rondeau (from Abdelazer)  (Henry Purcell arr. Christopher Morris)
Prière à Notre-Dame (from Gothic Suite) Leon Boëlmann
Andante Semplice  (Eric Tomlinson)
Short Prelude & Fugue in D minor BWV 554 (J.S. Bach (attrib)
Lied ohne Worte (Felix Mendelssohn Bartholdy  Transcribed by Maurizio Machella)
Variations on "Happy Land"  (George Shearing)
Introductory Voluntary & Fugues (James Nares 1715-1783)
Faith (Duncan Macleod)

Every Blessing

Tony
#40
Organs in danger / Working reed organ will be destoryed
September 08, 2015, 10:06:31 AM
Hi

A while ago I mentioned a Mason & Hamlin reed organ, in full working order and regularly used, that is being replaced with a pipe organ.  (The church have been given the pipe organ!).

The M&H will be removed an broken up in a couple of weeks unless a new home is found.  It's all working and in pretty good condition - currently fitted with an electric blower.  Located in rural Warwickshire.

If you can rehouse this instrument (which is of good quality), then please contact me urgently.

Every Blessing

Tony