Organ matters - Organs matter!

Hi

If you're in the Rugby area on Saturday (6th August 2022) you may like to make your way to St Peter John (sic) church in Clifton Road, where I and a couple of other local organists are giving a short recital.  The recital starts at 1 o-clock and refreshments are available from 12:00.

The recital is free (retiring collection).  I'm playing 2 pieces, a rare hymn setting by George Shearing, and Geoffrey Burgon's "Brideshead Suite" in an organ transcription.  I'm not totally sure what my colleagues aree playing, but I hear rumours of Buxtehude, Lloyd-Weber and possibly Durufle.  One of our junior members, who recently attended our "Organ for Pianists" event is also playing - so come and support the younger generation.  See you there.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

I was sorry to hear that Francis Jackson died on 10th January at the grand old age of 104.  He was a big influence in English Church music.

I only heard him live once, when he gave a recital in All Saints, Ilkley a few years ago.  One of the best recitals I've attended - even if he did forget he had a big reed drawn at one point!

May he rest in peace.

Tony

Thanks Peter

Wishing you a happy new year.
Tony

Hi

My Alexandre Harmonium arrived back from a restoration recently and I'm enjoying playing it again.  Our local organists' association (Coventry & Warwickshire) decided that, due to the difficulties of in-person meetings due to Covid, we'd offer a virtual member's recital for Christmas.  I recorded a couple of items on my Harmonium - both by Guilmant, an Elevation & his Introduction and Variations on an Ancient Polish Carol.  I've uploaded them to my You Tube channel (links below), and the full recital (audio plys stills & info on some of the organs used) is also on my channel.

Wishing you all a very happy Christmas.

Elevation https://youtu.be/IrqHFNG5wrs

Polish Carol https://youtu.be/E4GlkO7dyDI

Thanks

The recording of the Content is derived from the line output connections on the organ, and so has no room sound, just the reverb on the organ.  That's  probably why it sounds closer.  Also, the samples Content use, although good, aren't on a par with the best (not surprising given the price of the Content).  It does the job pretty well though.

The pipe organ was recorded using the stereo mics on the camcorder (a Sony model that's really a digital audio recorder with a very basic HD video camera attached.  Position was a compromise between being reasonably close for the picture, yet far enough away to try & pick up both sides of the organ (and to try & avoid getting too much "chatter" from the others in the meeting!)

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Last Saturday (26th June 2021) the Coventry & Warwickshire Organists' Association made a return visit to St. Martin, Barcheston, Warwickshire - our first "in person" meeting since Feb 2020.  We had previously visited to see this new organ when nearing completion, and last Saturday was a chance to play it.  Here's 3 pieces I recorded - apologies if the last 2 especially are a bit rough round the edges - I hadn't intended to play them.

Herschel Allegro in F major  https://youtu.be/TXS6gaenuNw

Herschel Allegro in G major https://youtu.be/4c7T7ROPJ4k

Be still improv https://youtu.be/FZGKiqIpukI

Details of the organ by Henry Grove of Nottingham (Consultant Paul Hale) can be found on NPOR:- https://www.npor.org.uk/NPORView.html?RI=E02110

I also recorded a couple of things at church on the Sunday morning on the Content 224Compact Digital organ.

Reading – A 1st voluntary in C Major https://youtu.be/3lhmw-UNAJw

Soften my heart  https://youtu.be/sfZy9V97qNY

I'd forgotten just how much real pipes sound than their digital imitations!

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

There are Vox's and Vox's!  Authentic registration is a good thing - if the organ you're playing has the relevant authentic voices!  Otherwise it's down to compromise and listening to see what works in the context.

The Vox Humana does seem to have fallen out of favour in recent organs.  Not sure why.  They have their uses.  Also, the Vox Humana (often voiced differently to that in classical organs) is a key component in the cinema organ sound.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

I came across this on You Tube this morning.  An interesting solution to tuning problems or a nightmare to play?  There is another video explaining the instrument, but my language skills aren't up to understanding what was being said!

https://youtu.be/ld36JlmOtM0

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Looks like they've reinvented the "Nags Head" swell box!

Wishing you all a very happy and blessed Christmas.

Tony

https://youtu.be/PjID4JK0i4E

Hi

I've no idea - I didn't watch the programme on principle.  There's no room for competitiveness in Christianity.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

I thought I'd recorded this series on VHS when it was first broadcast.  It was certainly worth watching.  I wonder if I can find the tapes?  I've not seen them for a long while!

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

In common with several other organists, I've been recording music for our "Sunday at Home" worship services.  They are all posted on You Tube (https://www.youtube.com/user/revtonynewnham).  There's a scattering of organ solos in their as well.  Enjoy.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Brownes organ builders in Kent have bought the Mander name & goodwill, etc. and, it seems, will be trading as Mander Organs from the beginning of October.  (Brownes' M.D. used to work for Manders, so there is some continuity).

I agree with David's comments re this forum - why re-invent the wheel?

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

My good friends Barry & June WIlliams have asked me to post the following announcement.

"There has been concern for some time about the number of disagreements arising over church music.  The Guild of Church Musicians has decided to offer a Mediation Service to churches for cases where there are disputes involving church music. The team of mediators includes a former Director of the Royal School of Church Music, a Bishop with particular experience of church music (previously Dean of a major Cathedral), and two lawyers.

No charges are made for this and the service is available to churches of all denominations, whether members of The Guild or not. However, the mediators would expect to be reimbursed any travelling or other essential expenses incurred.

Enquiries about mediation should, in the first instance, be addressed the Registrar of the Guild, June Williams.


Further details are available at: https://gcm.org.uk/"

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Have you spoken to Musicom?  Can they help - or perhaps an electronic organ repair person (a rare breed, but there are still some around)?

Every Blessing

Tony

Let's hope the trend continues.  There's still not much on Radio 3 aside from perhaps 2-3 tracks in the middle of the night.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

I've been watching live streamed concerts by a couple of Dutch organists.  I've noticed a number of organs have some of the stops positioned above the console - just wondering about the logic behind that.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Wolston Baptist Church, where I play regularly, is closed due to the Coronavirus epidemic.  I've been recording some music (chosen by our minister, or anyone else (including me a couple of times!) who has put the worship material together.  Due to the age & lack of computer knowledge the church leaders decided to circulate this in printed & e-mail form.  The e-mail recipients get links to my recordings to sing along to if they wish.  All the recordings are available on my You Tube channel.  https://www.youtube.com/user/revtonynewnham

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

I see that Rachel Mahone (DoM elect of Coventry Cathedral) is on the Inside Music show on BBC Radio 3, 1:00 p.m. today.

I heard Rachel in concert a few weeks ago - should be an interesting programme.

Every Blessing

Tony