Encouraging appreciation and enthusiam for the Organ
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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!
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.
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.
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!
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.
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.
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.
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
I notice that the Collins organ formerly in the Turner Sims hall in SOuthampton is on BBC Radio 3 this evening from its new home in a Suffolk Church, played by Catherine Ennis. BBC R3, 7:30 - 10:00
Good news, especially for those of us at risk from the current Coronavirus & having to self-isolate.
As some of you know, I've been looking for a new digital organ to use at church. It's now arrived - and is new! Thanks to my good friends at Promenade Music, who have recently taken on distributorship of the range, I have a Content 224 Compact in oak. I like the styling - and it's portable (well, transportable) so I can use it elsewhere if I need to. Reasonable 2mp stop list, plus MIDI if I want to add other sounds in the future. David will be interested to know that it has a range of different temperaments on board, plus 4 organ styles. Now all I need to is time to get used to it. I'll be using on Sunday. Pictures on my Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/tony.newnham.16 or, of course, the Promenade Music or Content Organs web sites.
Yes, I would prefer a pipe organ, but cost, size, and the need to be able to use the organ with other instruments (and a building that sees a pretty wide temperature range, even with the heating on) make it a non-starter.
Came across this on You Tube this morning. From what I can make out (my French isn't that good!), this is a copy of the Cliquot console controlling MIDI & presumably some sort of computer simulation. Looks interesting - note especially the pedalboard - a clear case of historic instruments informing playing technique.
A bit of an odd question. Some time ago I wrote (or to be honest, mainly improvised) a series of short organ pieces to introduce a series of sermons on the 7 churches of Revelation. I'm planning to revisit the sermons later in the year, and I want to revisit the music. The first item needs a change ringing like pattern for 7 bells (Sounds from a digital keyboard) - the original can be heard here:- https://soundcloud.com/rev-tony-newnham/revelation-1-the-voice-like-a
Can anyone give me a pointer to a suitable section of proper change ringing for 7 bells, ending in rounds.
Hi I received the following e-mail yesterday. The end of an era.
"A Fond Farewell from Allegro Music!
After just over 34 years in business, Allegro Music is closing its music retail doors to the general public on Friday 8th February 2019
We will be continuing our production of archive reprints on behalf of Oxford University Press, ABRSM and Schott & Co Ltd, but we will no longer supply in-print sheet music from any publisher.
Our organ stock has moved to: ChurchOrganWorld Sovereign House 30 Manchester Road Shaw OL2 7DE
In my role as the council member of the Reed Organ Society I sometimes get asked to circulate info on reed organs that are available. Below is a list of Player Reed Organs - all from the Orchestrelle range built by the Aeolian company that are for sale via one of my contacts on behalf of various people. Please contact direct if you're interested. His e-mail address is kevin_mcelhone@btinternet.com - please contact him direct if interested in any of these player organs.
Aeolian Orchestrelles - can supply photos
These all play automatically from paper music rolls as well as from the keyboard.
131. Model "Colonial" suction - Sussex 64 1/2" high x 72" wide x 27" deep £1,750 + plenty of rolls Was working 5 yrs ago when I last played it, all mechanics & pneumatics original
133. Model “W” complete, not working, located Cambridgeshire £400 [same location 141]
138. Model "Y" - complete mechanism, no case [kept by owner for his own caseless machine] please ask for price. Located Notts c.8 feet tall
139. Model “F” two-manual c.8ft tall, all valves & pouches renewed c.2014 by previous owners but one. Including rolls, working perfectly - located Sussex c.8.ft 4 inches tall £7,450.00
140. Francis the First Model [a “W” in a very ornate case] restored by current owner Located Cumbria England – £2,995 with 30 rolls [more available by negotiation]
141. Model XW a 116-note model. Very unusual ornate case. Not working now, but was 10 years ago. with 5/6 rolls only, but KM can supply more. Located Cambridgeshire £675 [same location 133]
Some of these instruments cost over £1,000 when new in 1900 - 1905.
I heard yesterday (Thurs. 8th November) that my good friend Dr.Peter Comerford passed away peacefully yesterday morning after a lengthy illness. Among other things, it was he who invented & developed the Bradford Computer Organ system - one of the earliest digital organ systems. It used real-time synthesis rather than the more common sampling instruments, and is still capable of excellent results.
Peter was also the Diocesan Organ Advisor for the Bradford Diocese for a few years.
Please pray for his wife, Dr.Lucy Comerford, at this difficult time.
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.
Topics - revtonynewnham
