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Topics - David Pinnegar

#461
Hi!

It looks as though two people will be bringing Hauptwerk to the EOCS meeting on 3rd July in Sussex - one with a theatre organ emulation and another a chamber organ. This should put speakers through their paces. 2pm.

Please can you let Don Bray, Southern Region Chairman, know if you would like to come - contact details on http://www.eocs.org.uk/cntctus.html

I'm half a mind to put just a single stereo pair on the roof of the Porte Cochere if it's a fine day and see if, whilst playing Hauptwerk we can achieve any illusion of realism with a feel of an organ above our heads. Of course in mid air, bass will be lacking but it will be an interesting pointer for 8ft and above. Or we could do it on the South Front where the walls of the house will reinforce the sound slightly. However, both of these possibilities will be a little time consuming to set up, so any volunteers will be welcome and it's a long time since I have laid hands on the 2.5mm speaker cables I used to use for such setups. The speakers will not be the Mackies favoured by some manufacturers.

I'll also demonstrate a speaker that I'm working on for Tuba stops.

Other areas of interest are a foot blown pipe organ tuned to Meantone, and pianos tuned to unequal temperament which demonstrate the paucity of standard piano tuning. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=41xRupc3Hz8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iw8FjHvHu30

We might also plug a Hauptwerk machine into a pair of cheap speakers that I use for a couple of channels on "the beast" and, again, see if we have the illusion of a pipe organ on the balcony upstairs. A couple of channels could then feed a couple of esoteric units adjacent and having the opportunity to try various options will be an interesting experiment.

Of course, if anyone wants to grasp the nettle of playing "the beast", it will be available, but it's much more complicated to get to know than a Hauptwerk emulation of a conventional instrument. If anyone is interested in theatre organs, Percy Vickery's analogue instrument will also be available.

Best wishes

David P
#462
Hi!

I have just picked up a booklet on the organ at St Swithun's, East Grinstead. This is a remarkably good instrument which works very well for a major parish church made by Morgan and Smith in 1937.

Harmonics are very much in fashion, with a whole division of them crowning a new instrument currently receiving a lot of attention on this forum and others . . . but the period of the 1930s is interesting. Harmonics, with the Cornet, are not new to organ building and were the organ builders' way of getting around the Papal edict that double reeds were the work of the devil, thus prohibiting imitations of the Hautbois. But in the 1930s fourier synthesis had come to the fore with the Hammond organ, based on addition together of pseudo-harmonics to create tone colour.

Wurlitzer would often make synthetic stops from ranks of pipes then and at East Grinstead, the synthetic Solo division did the same:

Clarinet: Flauto Traverso, Nazard and Tierce
Orchestral Oboe: Viole d'Orchestre, Dulciana, Nazard and Tierce
Cor Anglais: Viole d'Orchestre, Wald Flute, Nazard and Tierce
Vox Humana: Dulciana, Vox Angelica, Nazard and Tierce

I have not had the opportunity to try these - has anyone come across examples elsewhere?

Best wishes

David P
#463
Hi!

This thread started on account of a mistake . . . I thought we were to host a Bach organ recital and then it became a piano BeethovenFest.

On 1st July 2010 7.45 Eton Music Scholar Jeremy Cheng is performing at Hammerwood Park. Please telephone 01342 850594 to reserve your ticket (£10 members, £12 non members).

Starting the piano at just 4 and taking up strings a few years later, Jeremy is now taking his FTCL exam at the age of 16.

Jeremy says:

The programme will include Beethoven's Sonata in B-flat major "Hammerklavier" and Debussy's "Feux d'artifice". I will also be playing these in my FTCL exam in late July.

I enjoy playing the Hammerklavier very much, as it is the first piece I have tackled of such a scale. Its 4 (or 5, if you count the Largo) movements are all very contrasting, yet they somehow complement each other. It is an incredible and extremely challenging piece, musically and technically, which requires great stamina to play. At approximately 43 minutes, this is by far Beethoven's longest sonata.

Feux D'artifice is the last of Debussy's second book of Preludes. I've always liked the impressionists, since their works tend to be very "fun" to play. Feux D'artifice is no exception: the occasional outbursts of the explosion of the fireworks and the gentle rumbling of their echo are very exciting for the pianist.


This concert will be particularly exciting as Beethoven's music was received in a wholly different way before modern standard instruments put a blanket of uniformity over everything.
http://www.echo.ucla.edu/Volume9-Issue1/reviews/bellman.html
http://musicandculture.blogspot.com/2010/04/equal-temperment-tuning-wold-at-our.html
The various kinds of meantone and well-temperament help explain why, in the 18th into 19th centuries, keys had particular emotional associations. Key descriptions of the time sound outlandish, and indeed some were on the loony side, but they were founded on the reality that in unequal temperaments each key had its distinctive color and personality. "Is something gay, brilliant, or martial needed?" wrote one theorist. "Take C, D, E [majors]." Another: "D major ... the key of triumph, of Hallelujahs, of war-cries, of victory-rejoicing." All those keys were relatively well in tune on the keyboard. Minor keys were innately less in tune, so darker in sound and import: G minor, for example, is "suited to frenzy, despair, agitation. ... The lament of a noble matron who no longer has her youthful beauty." You want a pretty pastoral piece? You want a relaxing key like F major—the key of Beethoven's Pastoral Symphony:

Two of Beethoven's favorite keys tell us a lot about him. The most famous is C minor, described by one writer of the time as "a tragic key ... fit to express grand misadventures, deaths of heroes, and grand but mournful, ominous, and lugubrious actions."
.......

On the other hand, in the prevailing unequal temperaments there was still the presence, or at least the ghost, of the old wolf. Thus, croaked one theorist concerning that key, "Death, grave, putrefaction, judgment, eternity lie in its radius." Beethoven studied the theorists carefully, then did what he wanted. As for the putrefaction of A flat major: baloney. For Beethoven, that key, with its complex and distinctive coloration, suggested feelings in the direction of nobility, devotion, and resignation, as in the second movement of the Pathètique


http://www.uk-piano.org/edfoote/
For the last century, the topic of temperament has been relegated to the "tall weeds" in the field of musical discussion. However, recent research1 now strongly indicates that modern tuning is quite different from that used in Beethoven's time. As a consequence, a Beethoven piano sonata played in Equal Temperament is fundamentally different from the same music played in a temperament of his period, regardless of whether the instrument used is a fortepiano or a modern concert grand piano.

Taking the key characteristics listed under

http://www.guyguitars.com/eng/handbook/Tuning/Affekt.html
1st movement - B flat and G
The pure major thirds should ring out beautifully clear
Bb Major
Cheerful love, clear conscience, hope aspiration for a better world.
G Major
Everything rustic, idyllic and lyrical, every calm and satisfied passion, every tender gratitude for true friendship and faithful love,--in a word every gentle and peaceful emotion of the heart is correctly expressed by this key.

3rd Movement
F# Minor
A gloomy key: it tugs at passion as a dog biting a dress. Resentment and discontent are its language.

4th movement
D Minor
Melancholy womanliness, the spleen and humours brood.
B Major
Strongly coloured, announcing wild passions, composed from the most glaring colours. Anger, rage, jealousy, fury, despair and every burden of the heart lies in its sphere.
A Major
This key includes declarations of innocent love, satisfaction with one's state of affairs; hope of seeing one's beloved again when parting; youthful cheerfulness and trust in God.
back to certainties of B flat major

I think that hearing this well played on the piano tuned so that we can hear these moods will be really moving and you'll probably be the first in 150 years to have heard the sonata on an instrument on which you can hear them.

Here's a leading concert pianist explaining more about it:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXzSXWaQGmA

Best wishes

David P
#464
The much-loved Wurlitzer from the former Glasgow Odeon Cinema, owned by a Scottish Cinema Organ Trust member, may have to be broken up and sold off for spares. Members have been in touch with Glasgow City Council and suggested a range of homes for it, including the new Museum of  Transport, Kelvingrove Art Gallery and the city's Burrell Collection gallery, but the council isn't  interested. "It would be tragic if it has to be broken up, and if any Old Glory reader could help us find a home for it, we would appreciate it."  Readers who think they may be able to help find a home for the Glasgow Odeon organ should contact lan Macnaught, tel. 0141 632 5811 or email enquiries@pollokshawsburghhall.co.uk
#465
Hi!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_Y9A86g4BsQ starts off rather naffly but twists amusingly.

Meanwhile although vandalism  has clearly taken place, at least
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ekmlBF3-N-Q scores on originality.

Best wishes

David P
#466
Hi!

Mark Shepherd is performing again at Hammerwood. Friday 18th June 7.45pm.

PLEASE telephone 01342 850594 to let us know that you are coming. It's great not to have a last minute panic on the number of seats. . .

He describes the programme:
"Walton's Orb and Sceptre (arr McKie/Shepherd)  - because it's fun,
Bach An die wasserflussen Babylon, double pedal one, - because it's sublimely beautiful;
Bach Christ unser Herr zum Jordan Kamm, - because it manages to be both profound and lively;
the sicilienne from the Suite of Duruflé - because every meal needs a sorbet, and the
Carillon Sortie of Mulet - because I should have learnt it 25 years ago but need to now "

As you can tell, Mark is great fun.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lgYkHA128ws
As a performer also he impresses me not only for his technique  but because he performs relaxed, taking it all in his stride and being very human
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Uj9MORwoF0
and making it all seem so easy.

These videos were made before I discovered how to replace the camera sound with a proper CD quality recording. In real life the organ sounds much better than these videos . . . but the delight of the instrument is firstly versatility in being able to represent any of the repertoire of the King of Instruments to concert audiences and secondly in groundbreaking presentation of music experimenting with temperament and registration, breaking away from often accepted norms which can be responsible for public perception of the organ and of classical music as "boring".

Best wishes

David P
#467
Boxgrove Priory Festival.

Full details on
http://www.boxgrovepriory.co.uk/20100501%20-%20M%20at%20B.pdf.

He's performing in two concerts, the first being a chamber music evening on Thursday 3/6/10 with members of the Chilingirian String Quartet, the second a piano concerto double bill with the Boxgrove Festival Orchestra, featuring the Beethoven 'Emperor' and Rachmaninov's third Piano Concerto.

Best wishes

David P
#468
Hi!

Friday, 21st May 2010 at 7.30pm

GUILMANT: March on a theme of Handel, Op.15
FESTING: Largo, Aria & VAriations (arr. Thalben-Ball)
LISZT: Symphonic Poem 'Orpheus' (arr. Guillou)
PAINE: Concert Variations on the Austrian Hymn, Op.3
BOSSI: Toccata di Concerto, Op.118 No.5

DUPRE: Scherzo
VIERNE: Naiades, Op.55 No.4
WIDOR: Andante Cantabile (Symphonie Op.13 No.4 in F minor)
GARDONYI: Grand-Choeur
WAGNER: Pilgrims Chorus (arr. Liszt)
GRISON: Toccata



Tickets £15 (Friends of the Welte Organ £7.50)  from 01892 507609 or boxoffice@salomons.org.uk

www.tunbridgewellsfestival.co.uk

www.salomonscentre.org.uk

www.darcytrinkwon.com

One of the leading international virtuoso organists of his generation, D'Arcy has been described as "The Nureyev of organists"; his extraordinary pedal technique is famous. He will perform a typically varied, colourful and thrilling programme – including some works specifically to show off the remarkable Welte organ. 

The unique Welte organ, built in 1914 and recently restored to its full playing glory is housed in the splendid oak-panelled Victorian Science Theatre – an important and fascinating historic venue. 

The setting of this magnificent 36 acre estate is breathtaking; so arrive early to enjoy the views of the rolling parkland and lakes and take refreshments on the terrace. 

Why not book in for pre-concert supper?

Salomons
Broomhill Road
Southborough
Tunbridge Wells
Kent TN3 0TG

Best wishes

David P
#469
Hi!

A friend on this forum rang me up the other day asking about how our Godson had fared at a Special Educational Needs and Disability Tribunal with regard to his former school on the south coast of England which blazens the labels of Christianity from its rooftops. When he was diagnosed with epilepsy, the school made life difficult for him and another school found a place for him at a very difficult time.

At the Disability Tribunal Barrister and Labour Party Parliamentary Candidate John McKendrick http://www.johnmckendrick.com/ argued to the last that our Godson's epilepsy was not a disability. Our Godson had on one occasion fallen off his bicycle only to regain consciousness to find that a passing motorist had stopped to see whether he was OK.

The Tribunal found for our Godson that the school had discriminated against him.

It's so sad that a so called Christian School and its legal advisors and representatives don't heed the Christian texts including Mark chapter 9 in which the symptoms of epilepsy are clearly  documented as a disability.

Just because a so called Christian organisation doesn't abide by the practices and teachings of the religion it is said to follow does not rubbish the religion nor be sufficient cause for atheists to excuse themselves from investigation of its teachings . . .

Best wishes

David P
#470
Hi!

If anyone sees Ahlborn units for sale on ebay.de, ebay.nl, ebay.it, ebay.fr etc it would be so helpful if they could put a link here as the ebay sites have concrete walls between them at times . . .

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=180492832862 is a 202 unit. Good 16ft and 32ft reeds on pedal, a good 8ft Diapason, a Quintadena 8 which introduces the 12th for a chorus, a useful Tierce and Larigot, useful Bourdon, an excellent Corno di Bassetto which through the right speaker sounds as a very effective Cromorne, mixture, Chimes - effective and fun if judiciously used
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9usBggyS5Nk
a useful Trompette (possibly a bit thin) and Tuba Mirabilis, both of which need the right speakers and, particularly interestingly a Septieme which gives good bite to things . . .

This was the specific unit that I chose first for the fourth manual of my organ enlargement, specifically for the quality of the Diapason, but used now particularly for the Cromorne and Tierce.

These units were intended also to extend pipe organs and have facilities for a temperature compensation module to be installed to keep it in tune.

Best wishes

David P