Organ matters - Organs matter!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Church-Pipe-Organ-/270768811798?_trksid=p5197.m7&_trkparms=algo%3DLVI%26itu%3DUCI%26otn%3D4%26po%3DLVI%26ps%3D63%26clkid%3D760166270720939593

Could be the perfect residence organ?

It looks to be very compact and I suspect it makes good use of only a few ranks. I also quite like the modern style case


Marc

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

When I first heard a recording of this piece some years ago it was like someone giving me an electric shock! I suppose it reawakened my enthusiasm for the pipe organ.

The link above is a performance by Marie Claire Alain who in my opinion is probably one of the greatest organists of the 20th century, however the recording which I can not find on Youtube and that I have on an old Westminster record is by Marcel Dupre, and that one is truely stunning. The recording techniques of the time could not cope with the massive crescendo from the Saint Suplice organ however the resulting effect still sends shivers down your spine.

I'm sorry for pinching this picture off Jeremy Filsells website, but this is the same picture featured on the front cover of the Westminster record

You know you have lost the plot when you find this sort of thing highly exciting!

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Pipe-organ-ranks-swell-engines-direct-electric-chests-/130531275598?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item1e6445334e

I seem to have same the attitude to collecting various organ parts as a squirrel does to nuts! if only I had the space

Marc

No, this is not an announcement of an upcoming organ concert at the well-known music festival, but maybe it is a pipe dream?

I was watching one of my teenage stepsons DVDs the other night about the Glastonbury music festival. It portrayed how diverse and wide ranging the festival is and how many different forms of music and people come together for the festival event. I then had a thought (a pipe dream!), wouldn't it be interesting to organise as part of the festival's program an organ concert.

My pipe dreamed continued involving world famous organists, Olivier Latry, Cameron Carpenter, Ian Tracey, etc, playing all the famous stuff

The organ would have to be the most modern of electronic conceptions, and it would need probably 10 to 20k of sound system, in its own self contained concert tent!

I felt that people would come to listen, even come to get away from the commercial roar of modern day music, they would come to be inspired and see something different, more than Jazz and roots music, something once heard and maybe lost.

I think Michael Eavis (Glastonbury's founder) might even consider it? Or is it another random pipe dream

Marc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJIeOmNN60M&playnext=1&list=PLC882C4DA833C58B7

Not sure how much this one is worthy of merit, but I had never seen the cult classic horror film and one day was happily learning the Mendelssohn and then watched this film by accident!

We will not attribute Vincent price with the performance of the piece, but his acting skills are somewhat creepy! If anyone knows who and on what organ it was performed that would be interesting

Marc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MZ6DlhCWln4&feature=related

Another good example of the organ's ability to encompass the works of the orchestra

Markus Wargh and his own arrangement

If anyone knows of a organ performance of Sibelius's last movement of the 5th Symphony I would be so glad to hear it, I'm not sure it has been done??


Best wishes
Marc

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/mighty-3-manual-church-pipe-organ-/260778919814?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item3cb7a28786

surely this one is worth spending the money restoring instead of scrapping! or am I just missing something?

As the title suggests, does anyone know if the volume level can be turned down on a Makin analogue organ circa 1986. I have been asked by a friend if this is an internal adjustment? He has not specified a model number just an approximate year of manufacture

If any one can help or give pointers that would be great!

I thought I would let everyone know about a great bit of free music notation software that is available. I have been using it now for over a week and it works a treat. A bargain compared to Sibelius!

My compositions for Good Friday have been made a lot simpler

http://musescore.org/

Best Regards

Marc

Another interesting looking instrument which would ideally suit a house, and at a price that in a perfect world would be the going rate for this sort of instrument, however I doubt it will sell at this price considering many go for less than tenth of that amount

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/4-Octave-Pipe-Organ-/120706167043?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item1c1aa5f103

Well one for the weekend

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYBTg3CV3DQ&feature=related

I think I prefer the St-Sulpice organ to Notre Dame, its a little more rough round the edges!

I wonder if I can ask the advice of one of the organ builders on this site? I have just installed the first swell chest to my house pipe organ. It uses two ranks with extension to one of the ranks. The two 8ft stops are Voile D'amour and an 8ft Vox Celeste.

From my novice understanding should I tune the Voile rank slightly lower than standard pitch so it beats with the Vox Celeste or should it be tuned the same? If this is the case how much lower should it be tuned? The organ is currently tuned to standard A-440 pitch

Many thanks
Marc

Well considering I ask for this section I suppose I better put something in here!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Neu-t6ofW6o&feature=related

A wonderful performance on two contrasting Spanish organs, listen to those reeds!

First organ is Sta. Maria de Matario
Second is Auditorio Alfredo Kraus de Las Palmas de Gran Canaria

This post is a request to the moderators of this board to create a new section labelled " Youtube performances ", or maybe even " Organ media "

Basically an area where we can list our favourite videos/audio recordings of organ works and performances. If I have missed an existing area then please let me know, but I couldnt find one

I have a feeling it may be a well populated section of the website. There are so many wonderful performances available on the internet which goes to show what a wonderful tool it can be

Today, I have been listening mostly to

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhZ8vA5KC30

Just a suggestion

Marc

Maybe the threads should indicate the composer / variation / organ / organist ??

Anyone going to this on Wednesday 23rd?

http://organrecitals.com/1/inf.php?inf=20110107124632

As its my birthday and I am off for the day, I may venture down!

I am interested to hear what the Walker Technical digital pedal stops sound like

Is anyone going to the London Organ Day at the Temple church tomorrow?

We are off there, and if Liszt floats your boat then it promises to be a good day

Marc

During the process of building my house pipe organ, I have tried to compile a brief history of some of the pipe work however I am struggling to find out anything about the makers of my fifteenth rank. The pipes are labelled "J Schuard". Has anybody heard of this maker or does anyone recognise this name and have any history?

Many thanks
Marc

http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Continuo-Organ-Small-Church-Pipe-Organ-/190496082316?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item2c5a73898c

Dont think you would need a faculty for this one!

If you have a spare 1hr 30 mins, its an interesting watch!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JeOvWB8TeV0&feature=related

A very interesting opinion about the organ, one I have much agreement with. Quite interesting, especially in the context of an Athiest talking, and quite a champion

Hope you find it interesting (scroll through to Cameron's bit about 10 mins in)

PS dont think he would be allow to play in church in that outfit! and I also dont agree with his preferal of virtual organs to pipes (so maybe I've contradicted my previous statement!)


Marc

This one looks to be a gem
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Large-historic-church-organ-/140499153364?pt=UK_MusicalInstr_Keyboard_RL&hash=item20b666f1d4

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=D00288

Surely one for a professional firm to rescue?