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Messages - Victor Potter

#1
One of the problems in some churches seems to be the difficulty in finding and encouraging somebody of reasonable ability to commit and play regularly. Apart from unpreparedness to make what can turn into a huge commitment, many amateur organists do not appear to be either trained or prepared to work alongside other musicians or, indeed, to arrange or play worship songs to their best advantage, so as to weave the best of the traditional with the best of the new. Also there seem to be few opportunities generally for further training, even if individuals would like it. I feel that the problem is not helped by the intricacies and bands of what is known as the 'RSCM scale', particularly at the 'amateur' or small church level where the recommendations could be interpreted in some circumstances as a recommendation to pay below the basic minimum wage. At a professional level I have found the Incorporated Society of Musicians to take a much more constructive approach. The RSCM should be encouraged to review its recommendations in the light of contemporary values and culture.
#2
Harpsichords / John Broadwood Harpsichord
September 02, 2015, 06:56:16 PM
As a matter of interest an unplayable and unrestored John Broadwood double harpsichord inscribed 'Johannes Broadwood Londini fecit, 1790' was sold at Gorringes auction in Lewes today for a hammer price of £1400 which, with buyers premium, taxes etc would mean a payment nearer £1800. It was knocked down after fierce internet bidding having been estimated at £250/350. I would have liked to buy it and restore it myself, but not at that price! There's certainly everything there for an excellent restoration project though, save that the music desk had disappeared.

Disposition Upper manual 8', Lower manual 8', 4', lute stop, buff stop and coupler.
#3
There is a further organ in Eastbourne, the IIIP 38 1937 Bishop Rebuilt 1980 by Morgan and Smith in the church of St Elizabeth - NPOR N15594. This church has suffered serious structural problems and some years ago the congregation moved to a refurbished building next door. Since then the abandoned church has remained empty whilst its fate is decided, so far substantially delayed by planning issues. Meanwhile the building is becoming progressively derelict. The organ, which presumably no longer has power connected to it, has since suffered very considerably in a damp and leaking environment. Someone will correct me if I am wrong, but I was told that English Heritage would not allow the organ to be removed because the building was listed. I rather think that this one will end up as a write off.

Yes Robert Munns was at St Andrews URC in the past. The comments about the acoustic are absolutely correct. As I understand it from hearsay I have received as DOM at the Parish Church, no firm decision has, as yet, been reached about the future of any of these instruments
#4
I've got one which used to power a 15 stop pipe organ but it may be too powerful for you. It can run off a 13 amp socket I think but has been in storage for some time. Happy to talk if you're interested.
#5
I have got two, believed ex Gray and Davison, manuals - 56 note I think, and the pedalboard which goes with them - 30 note I think in Eastbourne East Sussex if that's of any interest.
#7
Electronic Organs / Allen System 100
January 30, 2013, 09:06:17 PM
For anyone looking for a cheap practice instrument there is an Allen System 100 for sale on ebay at http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/130842788246?ssPageName=STRK%3AMESELX%3AIT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649
#8
Thanks for this. It's very interesting. Rob's pictures are very useful and make it  clear to see the similarities/differences with the typical Alexandre. It looks as if it would be good fun to play. Good luck with it.

Best wishes
Victor
#9
Here's a link showing a two manual Alexandre with Franck being played. They didn't usually have a pedalboard and apparently a comparatively few were made.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fvKTU_9eKKI

Victor
#10
From the style of the case, which appears to be walnut with the usual 'columns' on either side of the base, the detail of the casting of the handles at either end and the style of the stop knobs this looks to me to be amazingly like an Alexandre Harmonium from Paris. If so they were one of the best builders and their work was held in high regard. There is likely to be some sort of manual to manual coupler. I have a single manual Alexandre in my workshop awaiting a bit of tlc. The case is very similar and it makes a wonderfully full sound. Also the numbers on the stop knobs correspond to the printed registration suggestions on old edition harmonium music by Franck, Vierne etc. The electric blower here has obvously been added later. The knee swells seem to have been removed. It would be worth some research (mine has a swell incorporated in the wind pedals and operated by the side of the right foot). Hope this helps. I think there is a video of someone playing Boellman on an Alexandre in St Sulpice, Paris on YouTube.

Victor Potter
#11
Harpsichords / Re: Single manual harpsichord sought!
August 07, 2012, 09:34:27 AM
Thanks David. Yes, certainly. Get in touch when you're ready and I could pop over and have a look. Harpsichord cover sorted yesterday, subject to modification by my friendly upholsterer opposite! Best wishes.

Victor
#12
Harpsichords / Re: Single manual harpsichord sought!
August 04, 2012, 07:21:27 PM
If anyone has a cover which would fit a John Feldberg double harpsichord 1964 with a length of 6' which they would like to dispose of then I would be interested in acquiring it.
#13
Thanks for this David. Yes I have spelt Tomkison wrongly - more haste less speed! I did consult your videos regarding the Clayson and Garrett which were extremely helpful. In fact there was a somewhat similar repair to execute to the hitch pin rails together with a crack and some warping in the soundboard which went back into place once the hitch pin rails were dealt with and has been very successfully reglued after taking time to manufacture an accurate jig to hold it in place during the drying process-in fact the former crack is  now unnoticeable and has not re-appeared (so far) as the strings are brought back into tune and the instrument is now suitably resonant. It was possible to do all this without removing strings, merely loosening them and moving them aside as you did but I did spend some time contemplating and preparing for the project first which was worth it.
I'm now doing tuning and regulation but will then repolish the case as far as is necessary and bring the instrument into use. I have to say that I have been very excited and inspired with this project, particularly as the instrument is well engineered and worth the effort.

I have obtained hinge leather for square pianos from Lucy Coad who also sells vellum for the dampers. Its possible to get vegetable tanned goatskin which is hard enough to recover the hammers from Russell's Leather. You will know that Malcolm Rose at Lewes sells authentic iron and brass strings. not the covered strings though, which seem rather expensive.The daunting bit is removing the old hinge leather without taking too much wood away so that the new leather will glue firmly in place of the old with animal glue. I am researching the availability of very narrow fretsaw blades for this. You may know there is a web site Friends of Square Pianos www.friendsofsquarepianos.co.uk/ which I have joined which is very helpful. They are trying to record all extant Tomkison pianos and would be very interested in yours. They dated mine almost instantly and gave some interesting possible provenance for it. They have a link which gives a source of supply for early instrument cloth (like felt) which is a very useful product.

Apart from somewhat extensive musical actrivities I also repair and restore antique wooden furniture which is a good starting point for all this, but like everybody else money is short at the moment so I would not be able to do much on a pro bono basis unless times improve. I'd be happy to have a look though, and comment at some stage if that would be helpful.

Best wishes.

Victor
#14
This has all turned out rather well as a very generous donor has donated a John Feldberg double manual harpsichord (8',8',4', buff and two piano stops for the 8's) for use with my early music group. It needs a bit of work presently successfully under way in my workshop. Also I am about to complete the full restoration of a Philip Lancashire virginal (1970 vintage reproduction) including refurbishing the wooden parts and jacks and fitting new iron and yellow brass strings and plectra. A c. 1821 Thomas Tompkison square piano, presently somewhat of a wreck, is also on the stocks for restoration with authentic replacement parts now sourced and obtained.  It will be started as the virginal and harpsichord are completed. It's very therapeutic stuff amidst other hectic musical activities.
#15
This one has turned up on ebay in Dundee. Apparently refurbished in 1996.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Church-Pipe-Organ-/150758122865?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item2319e26571
#16
Years ago I occasionally used to play a similar Walker organ of approximately the same vintage at Latimer Parish Church in Buckinghamshire which was in the grounds of and used by the Joint Services Staff College. The console design and position of the organ were almost exactly similar. The mechanical stop action was OK but the tracker action to the keyboards was so heavy as to be virtually impossible to play fluently with more than just a couple of stops added and the Swell to Great coupler made it inexorably worse. Although I was DoM at Dorking Parish Church for some years I never got to play the Mickleham organ but heard it once in a Carol Service and it sounded well. However, if the action is anything like Latimer it really needs some attention/replacement.
#17
Harpsichords / Re: Single manual harpsichord sought!
December 31, 2011, 02:37:00 PM
Thanks for posting this David. It's regrettably starting at a bit outside my price range, and, of course, is quite a 'modern' instrument but it looks in good condition from the photograph.....

Happy New Year

Victor
#18
Harpsichords / Re: Single manual harpsichord sought!
December 14, 2011, 10:24:12 AM
Thanks David. That could be very helpful. I'll be in touch.

Best wishes.

Victor
#19
Harpsichords / Single manual harpsichord sought!
December 13, 2011, 09:09:41 PM
I'm looking for a 'smallish' transportable single manual harpsichord with 8', 4' and buff if possible for the new initiative 'Eastbourne Early Music' and its chamber choir Lux Aeterna, www.luxaeterna.org.uk. I just missed a Feldman on ebay by about £17 whilst conducting a rehearsal......... If anyone knows of one available at reasonable cost, as we have no funding, it would be really helpful. I built a John Storrs harpsichord some years ago and have a woodwork shop, so would  be able to carry out restoration if required So far we have used Yamaha Motif electronics but it's nothing like the real thing and certainly doesn't 'look' right!
#20
I have just received the following email from Philip Norman of organistsonline. I have no details of the instrument but anyone interested should contact Martin Cross.

'There is a very fine (so I am told) pipe organ going for free (or just the cost of transport) from Sevenoaks Christian Science Church, which is sadly closing.  Interested persons should contact Bruce Morgan on bruce@morgan7oaks.net

Details about the organ are available from:
Martin K Cross
Church Organ Builders
Foxton Road
GRAYS
RM20 4XX

martincross1@hotmail.co.uk'