The new Dobson Op91 organ at Merton – before and after
The new Dobson organ at Merton College Oxford is proving a popular topic here, so I thought you might like some before and after pictures. The first one shows the casework, au naturel, under construction in Dobson’s workshops in Iowa. …
Some forums for organists
If you think that making snarky comments under the protection of a pseudonym came with the internet, you’d be wrong. The public forums for musical discussion were more slow-moving then, but the letters pages of the Musical World and the…
First performances on Dobson Op91 at Merton College, Oxford
The tuning was finished in the nick of time, and last Wednesday the new Op91 Dobson organ at Merton College Oxford had its first public outing, in a broadcast of Choral Evensong on BBC Radio 3. (And thanks to the…
Liturgical Hair – update for Advent 1
Organist Kathryn Rose is dyeing her hair in the appropriate liturgical colours for the season, to raise money for organ repairs. Here’s the first colour! – for today, the first Sunday in Advent. She needs more sponsorship if she’s going…
St Cecilia – the ultimate lady organist
Last year I gave you four St Cecilias to celebrate the day of our patron saint. This year it’s just one – this extraordinary early 17th century drawing by Daniele Crespi. Cecilia’s clothes are practically dropping off with the energy…
Five questions for…Marilyn Harper
Marilyn studied organ, piano, harpsichord and singing at the Royal Manchester College of Music. As organ scholar at Girton College, Cambridge, she studied with Gillian Weir; performances included Poulenc’s Organ Concerto, and a recital in the Cambridge Festival. She was…
Organists – artists or crowd-pleasers?
Here’s a nice exchange on Twitter. Are organists (particularly church organists) artists, servants of the music, or simply servants of the people? Discuss, as they say in exams.
A Walcker and a Father Willis
To have one organ at your school would seem like luxury – to have two is near self-indulgence, especially when they are two such good examples of their kind. Roger Carter, who teaches at Haberdashers Aske’s School for Boys, in…
Carl Hemann – neglected Yorkshire composer – another free download!
I have been delighted at the global correspondence that has hit my inbox and Twitter feed since my first post on my great-grand-uncle, composer and organist Carl Hemann. At least two people have made the effort to tell me about…
Repertoire Revivals – Brian Brockless TOCCATINA
Adrian Brockless recently contacted me to say he was trying to get this little piece of his father’s better known. Much of Brian Brockless’ organ music is pretty challenging, but the Toccatina upon Tallis’ 9th tune is straightforward both to…
Nowadays, no-one calls you Marm
Those were the days! – when a Lady Organist had a Village Organ Blower at her command, who addressed her as Marm. From Punch and dating from around 1910 (judging by the costume, and obsequiousness). My favourite…
Calgary Organ Festival 2013 – spooky goings-on
Calgary organists promise howling pipes and decomposing musicians from 10pm on 31st October at Knox United Church, as part of Calgary Organ Festival, coming up at the end of this month. Entry to this event is by donation to the…
Francis Jackson…and the Widor Toccata
Organists roll their eyes and sigh when asked for “The Widor Toccata” at weddings – it’s become a modern cliché, and most of us know that it all stems from the performance by Francis Jackson at the wedding of Prince…
Liturgical Hair
After the usual stalwarts of coffee mornings, bazaars, quiz nights and raffles, what other options are there for parish fund raising, when the organ, inevitably, needs expensive attention? The historic 1914 Lewis & Co organ at St Andrew’s, Leytonstone, in…
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