Greetings!

I have been very busy and too tired to do any OrganFocus updates after a
long day, but the readers and site users kept sending me information,
articles for publication, and event correction requests -- for all of which
I am very grateful. Thank you for participating even when I could not.

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** New Article at OrganFocus Newsletter:

Melodic-Harmonic Language in the Organ Music of Petr Eben
by Sabin Levi
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/organfocus-newsletter/files/Articles/SabinL\
evi_PetrEben_042007/

(the folder contains the article in HTML plus accompanying image files)
As soon as I am able, I will put this on the OrganFocus-proper website.

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** To commemorate the 300th anniversary of Buxtehude's death (May 9), Carus
Verlag has launched a web quiz on his life and work. Those who answer all
questions correctly will be entered to win a new CD.

English: http://www.carus-verlag.com/QuizBuxtehude.en.html
German: http://www.carus-verlag.com/QuizBuxtehude.de.html


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** Naxos, the high-quality budget label, has launched Naxos Direct, a
website where you can browse their comprehensive catalog and purchase
recordings.
http://naxosdirect.com/
Here is their organ page:
http://naxosdirect.com/instrument/50403/


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** What I am in love with right now:

Baroque Lute Music, Vol. 1:
Paul O'Dette plays works of Giovanni Girolamo Kapsberger (c. 1580 – 1651) on
chitarrone (theorbo) and ten-course lute
http://www.amazon.com/Baroque-Lute-Music-Vol-1/dp/B000059WLD/organfocuscom

Listen to the Toccata Arpeggiata (first in the sampler listing) - the
harmonic progression is sublime. The rest of the disc is also very good.
Paul O'Dette is a true master of his art.

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*** Member Messages: ***
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** Arthur LaMirande has returned from Singapore. He writes:

"On Tuesday, May 8, 2007, Arthur LaMirande of New York City presented a
2-hour recital at the historic Cathedral of the Good Shepherd (R.C.) in
Singapore --- a designated National Monument in that country. This was the
first major organ recital to take place there since 1984, and the first
since the completion of th organ restoration by German-trained Robert
Navaratnam, Singapore's one and only organ builder.

Playing to a packed house, Mr. LaMirande was projected on to a motion
picture screen during the performance, so that the audience --- most of whom
were unfamiliar with organs and organ music --- could observe first-hand
what an organist actually does. The Cathedral organist, Alphonsus Chern,
gave an introductory talk preceding the recital and delivered further
remarks during the intermission.

The program consisted of works by Franck, Vierne, Murgatroyd, Piche', Bach,
Langlais, and Alain. Assisting at the console --- which is still without a
combination action --- was Lin Yangchen of Singapore.

The original organ was constructed by the English firm of Bevington and
installed in 1912. Additions were made over the years, including ranks from
the pre-World War II organ in the Victoria Concert Hall, and more recent
additions by Robert Navaratnam. The organ now comprises 28 ranks; but in
the superb acoustics of the Cathedral, it sounds like a much larger
instrument.

The Rector of the Cathedral, Fr. Adrian Anthony, congratulated the
performer following the recital. The Director of Music is Sir Peter Low,
KCSG."

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** Vic Searle writes:


Dear Forum readers

I'm about to wind up the assembly of my book of organic anecdotes, etc, but
I still would like to have more input.

Some of the catgegories are:

WILD WEDDINGS
FUNNY FUNERALS
BULLETIN BLOOPERS
HILARIOUS HYMNS (parodies)
STOP ME IF...........(crazy stops and specs)
LITURGICAL LAFFS
DAFFY DEFINITIONS
VIRGIL VIGNETTES
LAUDABLE LIMERICKS
ORGANIC POEMS (no alliteration, sorry)
CRAZY CARTOONS

I'm also looking for the poem by Oliver Wendell Holmes, THE ORGAN BLOWER,
and the want ad for an organist for a hypothetical temple in India, an
organist with six arms, and the promise of not being re-incarnated as a
church musician.

I had these but they have disappeared into cyberspace, and I'd love to have
them again.

Also I want to express my gratitude to the many friends who did send me
material, but still want more.
Am I being too selfish?

Thanks in advance.

Vic Searle in Tokyo
vcsorgan@...
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Have a great week,
Lana


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