Organ matters - Organs matter!

Hi David

You may dislike worship songs - that's fine, it's your choice - but that doesn't make them wrong or inferior to traditional worship - just different.

Your prefered traditional worship style is, of course, firmly grounded in the belief that Jesus Christ is divine - is part of the Godhead, as any theological basics book willl attempt to explain.  The concept of the Trinity is, in many ways, one of those mysteries of faith that mere mortals can never fully understand, but downrating Jesus to a "mere" obedient servant is bordering on heresey and leads ultimately to unitarianism and similar belief patterns that are outside of mainstream Christianity.  Maybe, next time you go to a church service, you should look carefully at the words of the creed before reciting them.

Keep praying and aask God to help you understand - and one day, He will.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi David

I'm really not sure what you mean by this post.  Is the "Teacher" that you refer to Jesus?  Or is it a reference to St Paul?

Assuming tht it is Jesus, then basic trinitarian theology says firmly that God the Father, Son & Holy Spirit are one, so there's not too much of a problem.  Have you actually looked closely at the lyrics of some of the more recent worship songs?  I agree tht there's a lot of poor stuff about - just as there are poor hymns in pretty well every earlier hymnbook! But most is at least reasonably theologically based.  Have you taken  the trouble to look at the statements of faith of the Evangelical & Charistmatic groups that you seem to be criticising?  It's too easy to "knock" things that don't fit with your personal likes & dislikes - or that you don't fully understand.

Yes - there are problems in the 21st century church.  Nothin new there, and it goes far, far deeper than worhip styles.  One big problem that  I see is a reduction in Bible reading, both privately, and more significntly, during worship.  Too many churches have only one, or maybe two, short readings - and we wonder why  so many Christiians mis-understand their faith!

Enough now - I need to get ready for church

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Looks to be a good idea - I hope some useful suggestions & proposals arise from the event.  Sadly, I'm unlikely to be able to attend.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hopefully not entirely!  Even Facebook has been quieter over recent weeks.

Certainly, fora such as this fill a different role to social media, which is really transient.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

There is plenty of manuals only stuff out there - and also plenty that can be managed - perhaps with some juggling - on 1mp organs - including (if the voicing works) some 2 manual pieces with the melody in the treble.  Some of the Bach Orgelbuchlein pieces come to mind - and a few (and other solo/accompaniment pieces) will work with the melody up an octave.  If there's a good mucis shop in your area, I'd suggest a visit and a good look at their stock.  I hesitate to make specific suggestions as I'm pretty sure much of the music I have, bought many years ago, will now be long out of print.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi David

Hope you haf a good break (or was it work?)  I guessed you'd been away since you hadn't spotted my post.
The ex-Finchcocks instruments look interesting - if I get back down to Sussex again, it would be good to see them, if that's possible.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

BBC Radio 3 "Late Junction"  Noticed this the other day, and currently listening on iPlayer.  Not sure how much it will say about different temperaments, but should be worth a listen.  Programme info reads:- "Marking the 100th anniversary of the birth of composer Lou Harrison, Verity plays a mix of music that uses unequal temperaments, or alternative tuning systems."

http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08q2rxv

The segment starts after the opening track.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

After several years of problems with faults, York Baptist Church are wanting to replace their existing Wyvern digital organ - and it's available either for repair, or for conversion to Hauptwerk (or other) computer simulator.  Some pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/zp1i42GAHZk514S16  Contact me if you're interested, and I'll put you in touch with the relevant person at the church.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

After several years of problems with faults, York Baptist Church are wanting to replace their existing Wyvern digital organ - and it's available either for repair, or for conversion to Hauptwerk (or other) computer simulator.  Some pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/zp1i42GAHZk514S16  Contact me if you're interested, and I'll put you in touch with the relevant person at the church.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

After several years of problems with faults, York Baptist Church are wanting to replace their existing Wyvern digital organ - and it's available either for repair, or for conversion to Hauptwerk (or other) computer simulator.  Some pictures at https://goo.gl/photos/zp1i42GAHZk514S16  Contact me if you're interested, and I'll put you in touch with the relevant person at the church.

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

If you can let me know where the organ is located and perhaps send a couple of pictures I can circulate info to the reed organ contacts that I have.

Many years ago I used to play a 2mp Holt regularly.  They're pretty good examples of "pipe organ substitute" reed organs, broadly filling the market share currently taken by digital instruments.

Also, the Reed Organ Society (http://www.reedsoc.org/) is keen to build a database of reed organs.  It would be good if you coulld register the instrument with them (on-line forms on the web site).

Every Blessing

Tony

Thanks David - it's good to know of another firm that will undertake reed organ work - and I can vouch for the quality of their organ building work, having used them to restore the c.1820 chamber organ in my previous church.  I know where to come when I need work doing!

I did say that patching was only a temporary measure!  I'm surprised that what was done on y Alexandre (not extensive patching) has held up as well as it has.  As always, doing the job properly is the best solution.

I did recently come across a reed organ that had been restored by a pipe organ builder, and the results did leave something to be desired (both my opinion & that of someone who knows more about reed organs than I do).  Not sure exactly what the issues were, but winding was not really adequate.  (No names, no pack drill as I don;t know the full circumstances, and the firm is no longer in business anyway).

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

I assume you're in the UK.  Congratulations on acquiring an example of one of the most expressive keyboard instruments around!  Speccialists are few and far between at present, and the only person I know of in  the UK is Phil Fluke - see http://harmoniumhire.co.uk/ - tell him I sent you, but last time I was in touch he was very busy with his Harmonium hire business.  It would be well worth while you joining the Reed Organ Society (http://www.reedsoc.org/) (I'm currently the UK councill member) and I see the links page there includes a couple of well respected restorers on the continent, and also organ builders Holmes & Swift who have an excellent reputation for pipe organ work.

I would be a little reluctant to get ordinary pipe organ builders involved in Harmonium repair without making sure they understand what they're doing.

Repairing the existing leather may be possible (it's what Phil Fluke did on my Alexandre Harmonium about 10 years ago now, and the patches are still holding up despite some quite intensive use at times), although obviously a proper re-leathering is preferable.  Good luck with it - and please let me know how you get on.

The Reed Organ Society also have a database of organs - it would be good to add your Trayser to it (if you've not already done so).

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

On Saturday afternoon I was able to get to a local "roadshow" arranged by Church Orgaan World (Johannus, Makin & Copeman-Hart, plus UK importer of Rogers organs).  It was very interesting to see and play a small range of instruments that they now sell - plus there was a large selection of CD's, DVD,s and sheet music to browse and buy - should have leeft my wallet at home!!!).

The venue was a church in Kenilworth that has recently been reordered nd Makin have installed a 3 manual organ with speakers (switable) at both West & East ends.  There was also a smaller Makin organ, plus an example of their custom built continuo organs, and the latest project  - the iLive, that has stop knobs that change wording when different sample sets are loaded!  In addition, there was a Johannus instrument designged for home practice, and a 3m Rogers.

It would be unfair for me to make anything othert than generalised comments on the instruments on the basis of a few minutes listening & playing in less than quiet circumstances!  Suffice to say I was quite impressed by the tonality of the budget Johannus - but then, it's been a couple of decades since I've played one of that brand.  Mixed feelings about the Makins (I didn't ry the iLive, but heard it a few times), and the Rogers is typically American - and fine for what it is.  All in all, an interesting expidition, and recommended if one comes to your area.

I should perhaps add that I'm more than happy with my current home organ, so I wasn't in organ purchase mode!

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

Heavy duty soldering iron is what I've sseen used (demo by Terry Shires).  Maybe the bits are specific to the trade.  Terry Shires would probably be able to tell you where they're available - or take a look at the Laukhuff catalogue - http://www.en.laukhuff.de/assets/0.pdf  P.23f cover soldering irons.

Every Blessing

Tony

Last Saturday, I was with the Coventry & Warwickshire Organists' association and we visited two small Compton organs in Coventry.  I was able to do some rather rough & ready videos of them (excuse the playing - I've not had much opportunity to practice recently!)

First up was Bablake School - recently rebuilt by Trevor Tipple with the addition of an unenclosed Trumpet and some changes to the Great upperwork. https://youtu.be/N8NnmmGSJvM?list=PLT4JufLurcFudrNY9yBNkKF2b92XIMX-w

Second organ was just down the road at St George, Coventry.  An untouched 4 rank job - the reed unit is quite a beast!  Stop list for both are on NPOR. https://youtu.be/y0dvrGtjxa4?list=PLT4JufLurcFsvI77TubfXQIe_HqFonjlq

The differences in sound between the 2 organs which are originally of similar vintage is interesting.  The reed unit at St George's would probably be at home in a small cathedral!

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi

It certainly looks interesting.  Not sure about the number of cases it splits into for transport though - all too easy to leave some vital section behind.

Every Blessing

Tony

Welcome Piperdane

Look forward to hearing from you on the forum.

Every Blessing

Tony (one of the moderators)

Welcome to the forum Bob

Every Blessing

Tony

Hi David

Welcome to the forum.  Interesting to hear about your Jennings organ.  I used to have one.  The capacitors were a big problem, both in terms of tuning stability, and in failing and putting ht voltage through the keying system - key clicks on steroids!

Sadly, mine was scrapped in the end, I did have endless problems with key contacts, especially on the upper manual.  The contact arms fractured at their pivot point, and I neverr found time to try and find a solution.  Also, we had 4 children at the time in a small house, so it had to go - but I wish I still had it.  My current music room here is the back section of the garage, which my son insulated and lined out, complete with a wall to the front section (storage for mobility scooters and some of my sound gear etc.) and the music room, which currently houses a c.1856 Alexandre Harmonium, a Viscount Envoy 35, Digital piano, Nord C2D and a few other keyboards and loads of music, etc.

Every Blessing

Tony