Organ matters - Organs matter!

Pure dramatism, emotion and expression

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYF7WOTHvBw

Shame about the recording quality, if any knows if the CD is available please let me know

I'm about to embark on learning this, wish me luck!

Hi David

The first instrument has been mentioned here http://www.organmatters.com/index.php/topic,1390.0.html

and the advert does mention that the lack of swell does not bode well when trying to accompany a choir and they are in the process of finding a more suitable organ. I notice they only have three bells which limits change ringing significantly !

The second instrument in Manchester is typical of Welsh style chapels that seem to be closing all the time. The question to you is why? and the answer of " the reason that people don't see the point of focus on the Creation Force and more and wish to behave like animals inconscious instead...." requires a bit more examination instead of just putting it down to people rejecting the traditional Christian offering. Why do you think this is the case?


Best wishes
Marc

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Small-2-manual-16-stop-church-pipe-organ-concave-radiating-pedal-board-/230800747771?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item35bccbecfb

This looks very interesting and not too big for a house

Many of the Walker extension organs make fine little instruments

Having looked at the photos it may even be a straight organ (lots of pipes on that windchest!) ?

I can help during the day on Friday 20th if that is of any use.

I dont claim to be able to offer any expertise, but I can carry things and being from Manchester, Lancaster is not to far to get to

Please PM if you need me on that day

Best Regards


Marc

QuoteWell not quite. I'm using two cheap 18 inch units in parallel with a 50W amp, probably capable of 100W peak. One is really only looking at mathematical sonic underpinning rather than anything intended for nightclub  fairground effects on the stomach . . .

Hi David

Are these 2 x 18" drivers mounted in an infinite baffle that extends under your floor? I seem to remember you mentioning this on one of your Youtube clips?

True 16Hz fundamentals usually require large boxes

Best Regards
Marc

Quote
WOW - an encyclopaedic contribution - thanks so much. Does read like the plant list of Kew too . . . !

Yes, I think I need to go for a few weeks now.

Thanks for all the suggestions!

Many thanks David

I will plan a mini tour!


Marc

Hello,

I will shortly be spending a couple of days in Glasgow and wondered if anyone could recommend visiting any organs/churches in the city ?

I do enjoy museums but pipe organs are much more interesting :)

Many thanks
Marc

Ah, one of those "what would I do if?" questions!

I would pay off my mortgage (approx 40k) , rebuild my garage and give the rest away, maybe start a business with some of it (not decided about that one?)

I already have a pipe organ in my house and access to several pipe organs at local churches that at play at, so no additional expenditure on organs required. Maybe, slightly selfishly, I would have the organ moved from a local redundant church to my current Sunday morning gig (faculty allowing!)

I am tired that the world seems to be focused around money. If you have enough to live day to day, then surely that is enough everything else is just vulgar

Marc

ah yes it is

http://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/episode/b018ntg1/In_Tune_Thursday_Sean_Rafferty/

:D

I just missed this (well got the last 5 seconds) as I jumped into my car to come home  :-[

Will have to see if its on listen again!

Hi David

That does look quite an interesting device (saves soldering lots of different crossover boards up!)

However the common problem with trying to design basic crossovers is that people tend to forget that the impedance of a driver is not constant across its frequency response, hence entering 8 or 4 ohms at a specified crossover frequency will not necessarily give the correct component values as the impedance of the driver may be wildly different at that frequency

Having said that I would still be interested to know how much you can get them for?

Marc

I thought this would be an interesting topic, who are people's favourite organists?

When I mention the word favourite, it doesn't necessarily mean best, so a basic reason for choosing that person would be interesting too. The performer can be dead or alive, local or internationally renowned 

Here are my top five (with a rather French bias!)

1: Marie Claire Alain: Her performances breathe life into the music she plays, her musicality and understanding of expression is masterful.

2: Marcel Dupre : His performance of Widor Symphony 9 at Saint Suplice was a wake up call for me when I first heard it. It sent shivers down my spine unlike any other music I had ever heard.

3: Jean Pierre Leguay : Liszt and Leguay are a perfect match, he makes the organ at Notre Dame Paris shine to its full potential

4: Thomas Trotter: A seasoned all round performer, whose performances inspire and delight

5: Cameron Carpenter: A bit of a political hot potato is Cameron, this is potentially why he is in my top five. You either love or hate his style and attitude, but in my opinion the organ world needs mavericks like him. His technique whilst not necessarily totally musical, is a wonder to watch


remember its just for fun!

Marc

A very merry Christmas to one and all. I hope you all have a peaceful, relaxing and reflective time

And to all those busy organists, have fun with those descant arrangements (I know I will!)


Best Wishes
Marc

A very warming and creative performance, and as you mention very American sounding, almost like a theatre organ.

Marc

Definitely a mini Bach machine!

I suspect a bit lacking in tonal variation when it comes to the romantic slush that I like to play however :)

Marc

Excellent!

Many thanks for the link Tony

To try and sum up what makes music great in a few words,

In my opinion music is great because it is the universal language.

You can be young, or old to appreciate and love it, it doesn’t matter.

It unites and brings us together, whether in a religious or non-religious context.

It drives emotions.

It can be our friend and comforter in times of hardship.

It can motivate us to do great things and some silly things too!

Without music, the world is lost


Best Regards


Marc

PS I suppose I haven't answered the question "what makes great music". That is the million dollar question!

Hi Mike

Welcome to the mad world of decisions regarding pipe organs! It's not easy.

I have a small home built pipe organ consisting of approx 250 pipes and at the moment 6 stops spread across two manuals (pedal is computer based electronic). I love the way it sounds and even though it only has 6 stops, it still has enough tonal variation to play some fairly exciting music. I will never however get the Notre Dame reeds that I long for, but nor will you with an electronic organ.

The main benefit in my mind about having an electronic organ is the ability to turn the volume up and down for practice purposes and also the ability to practice stop changes more akin to one played on a 20 or 30 rank pipe organ.

Electronic organs in the home are normally easier to accommodate (weight is an issue with mine!) and they don't require as much loving attention with regards to niggly tuning issues.

I think for the majority of sane people an electronic in the home is the way forward, but for some of us it just didn't pan out that way!

I'm sure the Lammermuir will sound wonderful, and in my opinion is more of a natural instrument than a box full of electronics, it just depends on what you priorities are

Good luck deciding

PS if you near Manchester, you can come an give an alternative home pipe organ a go!

 Thanks David

I will investigate the forum soon!

With regards St Paul's, I think this could be (should be!) the start of something that has been long overdue. Our society is currently so skewed and unfortunately represents the wants of those who want and think they need, and not the needs of those who really do need and do not want!

Many thanks
Marc