"This summer, students in a three-credit graduate course, "Organ
Building," at University of Rochester's Eastman School of Music are
learning a side of the instrument most organists never see, by
assembling one from the ground up."
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/news/0708story011323_news.shtml
Happy Friday!
OrganFocus.com event count just crossed the 6,000 mark. Thanks to
everyone who contributed events and continues to add new concerts.
There is a new country in the list: Andorra. An organ recital will
take place there on August 21.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Andorra
In other news...
A premiere of Sir John Tavener's new mass will take place this Sunday
at Liverpool Cathedral. It will be conducted by Ian Tracey.
http://icliverpool.icnetwork.co.uk/entertainment/previewsandreviews/tm
_objectid=14433434&method=full&siteid=50061&headline=cathedral-
classic-name_page.html
See past performances by Ian Tracey here:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Tracey%2C+Ian
A nice site featuring Organs and organ performances in Liverpool is:
http://www.liv.ac.uk/~spmr02/organ/
Peery's Egyptian Theater in Ogden, UT, reopens with debut of a
Wurlitzer organ.
http://166.70.44.66/2004/Jul/07142004/utah/183326.asp
In my recent trip to Utah, I remember passing by this theater -- an
opulent edifice built in the roaring 20's when Egypt was all the
rage. I am really glad to hear news of its reopening, especially
since the organ will now once again be the aural focal point. Too
many wonderful theaters and theater organs are abandoned and razed.
Speaking of theater organs...
Two Roosevelt High Schools -- one in Seattle, one in Hyde Park, NY,
are involved with enhancing their auditoriums.
Seattle: School is trying to save its Froula organ:
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/localnews/2001973626_rhsorgan07m
0.html
Hyde Park -- New York Theatre Organ Society ( http://www.nytos.org )
is seeking volunteers to help with restoration of a Wurlitzer to be
installed in the school:
http://www.hydeparkschools.org/Pride/organvol.shtml
Until next time,
Lana
Greetings from OrganFocus.com!
* The only pipes in town
"The First United Methodist Church is raising money for a pipe organ
that, if purchased, will be the only one of its kind in Clinton, NC."
You can read the story and pipe up with opinions at the bottom of the
page.
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?BRD=1117&dept_id=151624&newsid=12369735&PAG=4\
61&rfi=9
----------------------------
* From Buffalo, Iowa, to New York
Read the story and see pictures of a historic organ rebuilt by Levsen
Organ Co.
http://www.qctimes.com/internal.php?story_id=1031111&l=1&t=Nation+%2F+World&c=26\
,1031111
----------------------------
* New CD by Craig Hansen: Carlos Seixas Sonatas.
From the website: The year 2004 marks the 300th anniversary of the
birth of the Portugese composer Jose Antonio Carlos de Seixas
(1704-1742). This recording was made as a tribute to his musical
accomplishments.
Listen to excerpts at the page:
http://www.haussonnenschein.com/pipe_organ_cd.html
----------------------------
* Visit the website of Russian-American organist G. Fredrick Guzasky to
see information about his upcoming performances, classes he teaches,
and about his CD, "Comes Autumn Time" recorded on the on the 1961
Aeolian-Skinner 3-57, op. 1414, of St. Stephen's Church, Cohasset, MA
http://www.fredrickguzasky.com/
----------------------------
* Noise complaints
Ignorant family and neighbors, people who want to sleep while you need
to practice--what rare organist hasn't dealt with these impediments?
The following story was told to me by my teacher.
One day his teacher, who was organist of a large church in New York
City, was approached by an old lady who said "Why do you play the organ
all day? I attend the church of ... where the organist never
practices!"
Send me your stories, humorous and serious, for possible inclusion in
the newsletter.
----------------------------
Select Upcoming Events:
Italy:
Recitals by Giorgio Parolini and Matteo Imbruno.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?month=08&year=2004&keywords=Italy
The second competition "Francesco D'Onofrio" will take place in August.
Detailed information:
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/2ndCompetitionFrancescoDOnofrio.doc
USA:
Robert Knupp recital at Millersville University, Lancaster, PA:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5999
Wilma Jensen recital at the Riverside Church, New York City:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=4680
Germany:
Three recitals by James Johnson in Aachen, Landsberg/Lech and
Wangen/Allgaeu:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?month=08&year=2004&keywords=James+Johnson
-----------------------------
Recommended CD:
Espanordica -- works by Stefan Lindblad.
Per Frendahl, organ. Francis Keeping, baritone
Both the composer and the organist were born in the same year -- could
that contribute to the fact that Per Frendahl delivers an exciting
performance of these Swedish organ works? A highly enjoyable CD.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0000262QK/organfocuscom/
------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop:
Orlo
http://www.organstops.org/o/Orlo.html
Have a great week!
Lana
__________________________________
Do you Yahoo!?
New and Improved Yahoo! Mail - 100MB free storage!
http://promotions.yahoo.com/new_mail
Happy Friday!
Lots to share this week.
* Please welcome a new member to OrganFocus.com. Roman Krasnovsky is a Russian
organist currently residing in Israel. Read his bio and listen to an excerpt of
his first organ symphony, "Jewish".
http://www.organfocus.com/members/krasnovsky/
* Prompted by the disturbing statistics of pipe organ-to-digital installations,
organist and composer Leonardo Ciampa created the organist association Advocates
of the Pipe Organ. Read about his concerns and the association's mission:
http://www.leonardociampa.com/ATPO/
* I found a great resource for church choir directors and choir members.
Organist and composer Colin Mawby's site contains lots of information and has a
wonderful newsletter, "Vivace!", which I subscribed to and highly recommend. In
their own words:
"Vivace! lets you in on the secrets of top Choirtrainers, gives you the inside
track on getting the most out of working with your Choir ... and keeps you in
touch with all that's new on Music-for-Church-Choirs.com"
http://www.music-for-church-choirs.com
* Summer... a time for baseball games. Stadium organists are becoming extinct as
they are replaced with canned pop music. Read the article, "Organists told to
pipe down":
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/seahawks/2001942642_les30.html
* Shortage of church organists is still a persistent problem in the U.S. Read
about this topic highlighted by Washington Post:
http://www.andante.com/article/article.cfm?id=24157
* I've got to admit - while I am always glad to see pipe organs and organists
mentioned in mainstream media, it seems that the organ suffers from "creative"
article titles all too often. Read "Organ Damage", a story of the restoration
project of the Kilgen organ in Denfeld High School in MN.
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/local/9298734.htm
----------------------
Sheet music sale:
25% sale on the Alfred Publishing catalog until Aug.26. Thousands of titles for
choral music.
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/a/featured.html?id=74105
----------------------
Select Upcoming Events
Italy:
Recitals by Paolo Oreni
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?month=08&year=2004&keywords=Italy+Paolo+Or\
eni
Belgium:
Recital by Aarnoud De Groen:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5162
Lithuania:
Recital by Marco Lo Muscio:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5282
UK:
Recital by Simon Lindley:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6111
----------------------
Recommended book:
All the Stops
by Craig R. Whitney
"A young theologian named Fiddle
Declined to accept his degree.
He said, "It's all right to be Fiddle
But not to be Fiddle D.D."
--as quoted by E.M. Skinner, the great American organbuilder
I read New York Times journalist/editor Craig R. Whitney's All the Stops and had
a blast. It is warmly written and full of detail about the colorful
personalities of the golden age of American organbuilding. Skinner, E. Power
Biggs, Virgil Fox -- all are here. The experience of hearing and playing the
Skinner organ at Mormon Tabernacle in February became more meaningful to me by
reading about Skinner's aspirations for his version of the ideal organ
sound--lush, coherent, orchestral.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1586481738/organfocuscom/
------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop:
Bachflöte
http://www.organstops.org/b/Bachflote.html
Have a great week!
Lana
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
Greetings!
I am back from a short trip out of state for a wedding. As many of you can
probably relate, I prefer being a guest at a wedding rather than being the
organist. For me at least, being a wedding organist is work first, and
enjoyment second. Have you seen this humorous account, "An Organist Writes
the Wedding Column"?
http://everything2.com/index.pl?node_id=1146788&lastnode_id=134335
I would say the opposite about funerals, though. Last weekend, as I had to
substitute for a wedding one day and a funeral the next day, I thought a lot
about the organists' role in the lives of people who come to be consoled and
uplifted through our music, and also of how we organists are affected by the
occasions for which our music is needed. The funeral was for a man from the
congregation where I used to have a church job. I never got to know him
while he was alive, aside from knowing he was a sweet old man who always
said "hello" to me. I learned so much about him from the wonderful eulogy
given to him by the minister and a family member, and from the huge crowd
that assembled to wish him a farewell. As I learned about all the people he
touched in his long and productive life, it made me sad I never made an
effort to talk to him. To me, playing the organ every Sunday was just a job,
which I did not enjoy much and quit several years ago for various reasons.
But the fact that the man's family was glad that it would be me playing for
his funeral, because I knew him and he knew me, if only marginally, made
that service really special. I was honored to be there for him this last
time.
Where am I going with this protracted spiel? I guess I wanted to tell to all
church organists who are reading this newsletter that getting to know the
people for whom you play is truly worth the effort.
* New country in the OrganFocus list: Bermuda.
Fred Swann plays a recital there in October 2004.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Bermuda
* Premio Battipaglia 2004 -- read a detailed description of the Accademia
Organistica Campana competition, including the repertoire and organ stop
lists,
and see their general calendar of events (PDF, in Italian and English)
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/AOC_PremioBattipaglia2004.pdfhttp://www.organfocus.com/features/events/AOC_Calendario2004.pdf
* "Tour's hope is to raise awareness, interest in Butler's collection of
historic pipe organs"
Read about the Pennsylvania tour:
http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/04235/364344.stm
* Organ events from The Netherlands for September through December are
entered.
A few times per year, I grab the events posted at http://www.orgelland.nl
and bulk-enter them into the database. You will probably find more events
posted there as they seem to add concerts on an ongoing basis. However, if
you
are interested in full-text search by a particular organist, city or venue,
you can do so at http://www.OrganFocus.com .
Coming soon:
-- An account of an organist's life in Israel, by Roman Krasnovsky
-- A story about his music, by Colin Mawby
Today's Organ Stop: Diaphone
Invented by Robert Hope-Jones, this design is used as a foghorn
by the U.S. Coast Guard:
http://www.organstops.org/d/Diaphone.html
Until next time,
Lana
Greetings!
* New member Colin Mawby writes about the life-changing event that prompted
him to start composing, and about his organ music.
http://www.organfocus.com/members/mawby/
* Pictures of the Diaphone stop and more, at the Mormon Tabernacle in Salt
Lake City. Reader Lou Hurst sent some fascinating shots.
http://www.organfocus.com/features/sights-and-sounds/slc_tabernacle.php3
* New music school will offer organ lessons
Community School of Music in Demorest, GA will start offering organ lessons
this September on the new Sewell organ. The program is offered through
Piedmont College Department of Music.
http://www.piedmont.edu/news/aug04/community_school.html
* Indiana: Linton church gets new pipe organ
"The Linton First United Methodist Church is once again filled with the
sound of a pipe organ for the first time since last fall...Instead of
spending time in the weight room, the Linton-Stockton High School football
team came to help unload the organ. Three of the wind chests weighed over
700 pounds a piece, while another weighed over 800."
Good for you, guys!
http://www.dailycitizen.com/articles/2004/08/07/news/orgna.txt
* I received a very special gift from Roman Krasnovsky -- an organ chorale
dedicated to me, just in time for my upcoming birthday. The chorale is
titled "Meine Seele erhebt den Herren" and is a setting of Tonus Peregrinus.
Thank you, Roman!
----------------------
Select Upcoming Events
USA:
Recital by Christa Rakich and Peter Sykes in Boston, MA.
Tuesdays with Sebastian is an independent two-year benefit concert series in
which Christa Rakich and Peter Sykes will perform the entire keyboard works
of Johann Sebastian Bach for organ and harpsichord in 34 recitals.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6036
Recital by James Higdon in Omaha, NE. Part of Saint Cecilia Organ Festival.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5075
UK:
Four Hands - Four Feet: Recital by Maureen McAllister and Robin Jackson
Wonderful new (1999) mechanical action organ by Kenneth Tickell. Brilliant
choruses, subtle and beautiful flutes, 'rude' Posaune! West Gallery
position, seating faces west so console visible.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6098
Japan:
5th International Organ Competition Musashino-Tokyo (IOCM)
Jurors: Tsuguo HIRONO (chair), Marie-Claire ALAIN, Michel BOUVARD, François
ESPINASSE, Jan Willem JANSEN, Andrea MARCON, William PORTER, Masaaki SUZUKI,
Harald VOGEL, Wolfgang ZERER
Organs and Venues to be used: Marcussen & Søn (Musashino Civic Cultural
Hall), J. Ahrend (Nihon University Casals Hall), A. Kern (Shinjuku Bunka
Center)
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=4716
----------------------
Today's Organ Stop: Spitzflote
http://www.organstops.org/s/Spitzflote.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the
organfocus-newsletter group:
How did you hear about OrganFocus.com?
o Web search
o Link on another website
o Mention in The American Organist
o From a friend
o From an organist chapter newsletter
To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organfocus-newsletter/surveys?id=1392761
Note: Please do not reply to this message. Poll votes are
not collected via email. To vote, you must go to the Yahoo! Groups
web site listed above.
Thanks!
Greetings!
* Would you like to participate in the web features of this group?
This is primarily a newsletter, but I might be doing additional polls
and eventually open it up for two-way discussion. If you are
interested in voicing your thoughts and opinions, you will need to
have Yahoo! ID connected to your email address. You can create a
Yahoo! account or log in here:
http://login.yahoo.com/config/login?.done=http://launch.groups.yahoo.com%2Fgroup\
%2Forganfocus-newsletter%2F
* A surrealist pipe organ, fulfilling the dream of Salvador Dali, is
in the works at Quermanco Castle, Spain. The Tramontana-wind-powered
organ was supposed to be inaugurated Sept. 16, 2004, but is not ready
so far. I am sure we will hear about it in great detail when it is
ready to be unveiled. For now, you can see the following sites:
http://www.castelldequermanco.es/http://www.orguedelatramuntana.com/
While searching for info, I found this lovely site with instructions
on building Aeolian instruments (in French):
La Musique du Vent
http://w1.neuronnexion.com/~dferment/pedago/musique_eolienne.htm
The site is now added to my Organistic Curiosities section of the link
directory:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=17
* Wurlitzers in the news:
Stonewall Jackson Hotel: "An antique Wurlitzer organ -- believed to be
the last of its exact model still in existence -- is on the road to
becoming an attraction for the hotel once again."
http://www.newsleader.com/news/stories/20040912/localnews/1220578.html
Two of my favorite kinds of people mentioned in the same sentence:
"Like an over-caffeinated computer techie, organ restorer Ed Stout
rattles off jargon when listing some of the half-million parts put
into the Wurlitzer pipe organ newly installed in the California
Theatre auditorium."
http://www.mercurynews.com/mld/mercurynews/living/9644459.htm?1c
* The September issue of The American Organsist features Wayne
Leupold's excellent guide to introducing children and adults to the
organ. Wayne Leupold offers a free DemoInfo packet of materials which
can be obtained by emailing wleupold@... . Wayne Leupold Editions
website also contains fine articles on topics highly relevant to
organists.
http://www.wayneleupold.com/frameset.asp?section=articles.html
* Erratum: in the previous newsletter, I misphrased my introduction to
Colin Mawby's page. Mr. Mawby has been composing since he was nine
years old, but he only started serious and structured composition with
the birth of his son. If you haven't read his story, here is the link:
http://www.organfocus.com/members/mawby/
---------------
Select Upcoming Events
USA:
Frederick Swann: Inaugural Recital on the world-famous
Rosales/Glatter-Gotz organ at Walt Disney Concert Hall
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5966
Raymond Johnston in recital in Minneapolis, MN
Mr. Johnston will perform works by Hakim, Bach and Messiaen and will
feature the Fantasy & Fugue on "Ad nos, ad salutarem undam"
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6632
Russia:
International Festival "Jazz & Pipe Organ"
See the program day-to-day:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6034
Germany:
Internationaler Orgelwettbewerb 2004
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=4790
Belgium:
Recital by Tom Hoornaert
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5161
Austria:
Internationaler Orgelwettbewerb Brucknerfest 2004, Wienerwald
Orgelfest 2004 and more.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?month=09&year=2004&keywords=Austria
---------------
Today's organ stop: Serpent
http://www.organstops.org/s/Serpent.html
Have a great week!
Lana
Greetings!
* The 12th Annual Basically Bach festival at St. Peter's Lutheran
Church in NYC will take place October 2. It's a day-long series of
recitals by distinguished artists, including Walter Hilse, Arno
Hartmann and Martin Jean. Read the details here:
http://www.saintpeters.org/music/
My review from the Basically Bach festival in 2000, featuring Walter
Hilse's recital of The Art of Fugue, is posted here:
http://www.organfocus.com/features/reviews/walterhilse.php3
My review, written four years ago, speaks of the Klais organ at St.
Peter's in exalted tones. Since that time, I've had the opportunity to
hear recitals there on several occasions, and while the organists
performed marvelously, the instrument itself seemed brassy and harsh.
I don't think it's a very successful organ. But, the musical program
at St. Peter's is excellent, and they are a great example of a church
that has traditional organ recitals and services as well as a jazz
ministry. Not the "contemporary worship" type, but the real deal.
* G. Fredrick Guzasky is inviting everyone to the recital series at
St. Stephen's church, Cohasset, MA:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Cohasset+MA
* Sabin Levi writes: You are cordially invited to my final
lecture-recital, which concludes my doctoral work in the University of
Kansas. My organ dissertation is called "The Organ Culture of Israel
and Palestine," and my composition dissertation is a composition based
on Sephardic folk melodies and called "Sephardic Concerto Grosso.".
The event will take place October 5 at Bales Recital Hall, Lawrence,
KS.
See the details here:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Sabin+Levi
* Of Organs and Airplanes
"Today, we go from organs to airplanes to diving suits. The University
of Houston's College of Engineering presents this series about the
machines that make our civilization run, and the people whose
ingenuity created them". The Engines of Our Ingenuity is a radio
program that tells the story of how our culture is formed by human
creativity. Read the episode transcript here:
http://www.uh.edu/engines/epi569.htm
* Where Have All the Organists Gone?
Part II of the series "Musicians in Catholic Worship" by Lucy Carroll
http://www.adoremus.org/0903Organists.html
* Realizing a pipe dream
"What is finally coming home to the Orpheum Theatre, having departed in 1971?"
http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2004/09/26/news_living/local/520bf78c16\
b0272b86256f1b0015389f.txt
----------
Today's Organ Stop:
Harmonia Aetheria
http://www.organstops.org/h/HarmoniaAetheria.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
I recently received an e-mail from an organ builder stationed in Iraq.
He wrote in response to a news item in a previous newsletter, and told
me of himself and fellow soldiers who love organ music and miss it
while protecting our country. I did but a tiny thing at his
request--put him in touch with Sabin Levi, who is performing his
lecture-recital on the organ music of Israel and Palestine tomorrow. I
hope he returns home safely to do what he loves--"Build and Tune Pipe
Organs to Make the World a Better Place" .
* Pews packed but not all praises for organ debut
Review of Thomas Murray's concert on the new Schoenstein & Co. organ in Houston
http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/ssistory.mpl/ae/2828442
* Pipe organ to make long-anticipated debut at Davison church
"Davison United Methodist bought the organ for $5,000, and in 2002,
Davison members disassembled and hauled it to their church, where the
task of rebuilding began."
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-0/109671254051330.xml
* A film score primer
A nice article which mentions Wurlitzer in passing, but is a
fascinating look into the world of the music for moving images.
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/ledger/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-1/109692066\
4167930.xml
* Music director at St. Mary revoicing church's pipe organ
"A line of students filed out of St. Mary Church Wednesday morning. A
closer look showed that each was carrying one or more slender metal
cylinders of various lengths. Under the direction of the parish's new
music director, Michael Lizotte, the youngsters were dismantling the
church's pipe organ for an overdue cleaning."
http://www.advertiser-tribune.com/news/story/099202004_new01organwork0909.asp
* Creating the sound of music
Profile of the Indiana builders Goulding & Wood.
http://www.indystar.com/articles/0/183045-3190-047.html
--------
Select upcoming events:
Germany:
Recital and Masterclass by Ben Van Oosten
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?month=10&year=2004&keywords=Ben+van+Oosten\
+Germany
UK:
Lunchtime Recital by Andrew Benson-Wilson
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6596
Netherlands:
Recital by Henk Hilgeman, instrumentalists and choir:
Henk Hilgeman 25 jaar organist mmv.chr. gemengd koor "Chaverim"
Dick van Vliet, dwarsfluit
Ria van de Bosch, hobo
Couzijn van Leeuwen, piano
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6641
Sweden:
Recital by Mario Berón de Astrada
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6161
USA:
Plymouth Chamber Series with John Wm Cargile.
Organist John Wm Cargile, Beverly Hoch, Ann Glassman, Flute, Francis
Shelly, Flute, and Susan Mayo, Cello. This program offers a variety of
styles within different periods of music. We will hear different
pairings of the ensemble that will entertain our ear and stimulate our
minds.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?month=10&year=2004&keywords=Wichita
--------
Today's organ stop:
Phoneuma
http://www.organstops.org/p/Phoneuma.html
Have a great week!
Lana
Greetings!
* New featured event: Música de Órgano en Santiago de Compostela --
description of the festival in Spain. The document, in Spanish,
describes the festival, the organs and the performers in detail.
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/FolletoOrganoSantiago102004.pdf
* Big improvement: I finally got myself two pairs of Organmaster shoes
and I absolutely love them. Up until now I was playing in Capezio
dance shoes with a 1.75 inch heel which was quite narrow (as I now
realize). Those were fine for Bach but not so fine for opening two
swell pedals at a time in Reger and playing quick runs in Distler. My
teacher has been encouraging me to get Organmasters for a while, and I
should have heeded his advice long ago. Now I feel like I can do
everything. With the heel lower than I am used to, but just high
enough, feet are moving in a horizontal plane more so than vertically,
as they should. The delivery is prompt, and you can order the shoes
online.
http://www.organmastershoes.com
Dan Long's BachOrgan.com site has a funny section "Organ shoes hall of
fame", which contains photos and poetry dedicated to well-worn
footwear.
http://www.bachorgan.com/Shoes.html
* A brilliant organist for a brilliant organ
"Who would have thought that a recital of French organ music could
draw more than 1,000 people to a midtown church on the night of a
presidential debate?"
http://www.kansascity.com/mld/kansascity/entertainment/music/9879364.htm
* When the Organist Is Episcopalian
An interesting article on the role and acceptance of non-Jewish
organists in synagogues
http://www.forward.com/main/article.php?ref=loew20040909304
* Movie-house organist
"For Gerry Marian, life is the pits - as in the section where the
orchestra plays."
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/entertainment/stories.nsf/movies/story/7BFD18BE\
C6CA44F886256F1500836913?OpenDocument
* New link added to Publications (
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=19 ):
Das Internet-Orgelmagazin
Articles and event descriptions, concert listings, forums and more. In
German only.
http://www.orgelmagazin.com/
-------------
Select upcoming events:
Australia:
Totally Organic with Phillip Gearing
Music by Mendelssohn, Hindemith, and the Bach Passacaglia
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5031
Canada:
Robert Batt, organ; Cliff Ridley, baritone
The program features an arrangement of Mahler's Kindertotenlieder;
organ works include Bach's Chorale Prelude Aus tiefer Not (double
pedal).
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6649
USA:
Organ Crawl-New York & PA
You are welcome to attend the Chemung Valley A.G.O. organ crawl. It
will begin at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, October 23, 2004 in Elmira. We
will hear the following instruments.
1980 Casavant, 39 ranks
1922 E. M. Skinner rebuilt by L. Peckham & Son, 30 ranks.
1984 Parsons, 25 ranks
1988 Schantz, 19 ranks.
1923/2004 Beman/Strauss, 9 ranks.
No charge except for lunch.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6691
McQuade Memorial Concert
Paul Jacobs in Durham, NH
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6185
Italy:
Primo corso d'interpretazione organistica
Enrico Viccardi, Roberto Fresco, Giovanni Togni, Maurizio Isabella
Corso d'organo di EV: Frescobaldi, Muffat, J.S.Bach; seminario di RF:
Correa de Arauxo; seminario di GT: Il tono medio in Italia nel '500 e
nel '600; seminario di MI: Segnature e misure nella scuola
antegnatiana; concerti dei docenti e degli allievi
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5988
Spain: Música de Órgano en Santiago de Compostela - final recital
Josef Sluys plays Brahms, Mendelssohn-Bartholdy, Rheinberger and Schumann
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6716
-------------
Today's organ stop:
Tuba Quint
http://www.organstops.org/t/TubaQuint.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* Acclaimed organist Carol Willams is the newest member of
OrganFocus.com Carol's CV:
http://www.organfocus.com/members/williams/
Eastern Europe Tour 2004: Carol talks about her recent trip to Poland
and Czech Republic.
http://www.organfocus.com/members/williams/europetour.php3
* Israeli organist and composer Roman Krasnovsky has released his
newest CD, Three Organ Symphonies. The symphonies, "Jewish",
"Margrit-Sinfonie" and "Brusius-Sinfonie", were recorded on the
Seifert Organ at Pfarrkirche St. Gudula in Rhede.
Roman Krasnovsky's page:
http://www.organfocus.com/members/krasnovsky/
Pfarrkirche St. Gudula:
http://www.st-gudula.de/
* Organ company helps aspiring pilots build planes
"Wicks doesn't just build pipe organs anymore.
The Highland company famous for its meticulously crafted organs is now
helping aspiring pilots build experimental aircraft at a hangar in St.
Jacob."
http://www.belleville.com/mld/newsdemocrat/9924394.htm
* Renovated pipe organ graces Dalton Center lobby
"A small pipe organ built by WMU graduate James P. Lauck was installed
Oct. 4 in the lobby of the Dalton Center at Western Michigan
University."
http://www.wmich.edu/wmu/news/2004/10/008.html
* Organist Craig Cramer to Perform at Holy Cross
"Organist Craig Cramer will perform a concert on Sunday, Nov. 14 at 3
p.m. in St. Joseph Memorial Chapel at the College of the Holy Cross."
http://www.holycross.edu/departments/publicaffairs/website/04-05-releases/04_10_\
14.htm
* In quarter-century, organist's never skipped a beat Richard Bunbury
to be honored Sunday by St. Theresa of Avila Chute
"When Richard R. Bunbury is honored at a Silver Jubilee concert of
sacred and instrumental music on Sunday at St. Theresa's in West
Roxbury - where he's organist and music director - it won't be just
because of how much music Bunbury has shared with his congregation
over the past quarter-century. It will also be in recognition of his
hard work in bringing it all together through the years. "
------------------
Select upcoming events:
USA:
Special recital and resentation of the historic Erben organ at St
Patrick's Old Cathedral in New York City. Organ Historical Society
will present the Erben with a citation on Sunday, Oct. 24. Cathedral
Organist Jared Lamenzo will perform.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Jared+Lamenzo
Free recital by Liya Petrides in Brooklyn, NY on Oct. 31:
Music by Buxtehude, Bach, Taneiev, Alain, and Widor
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6722
Italy:
Primo corso d'interpretazione organistica
Enrico Viccardi, Roberto Fresco, Giovanni Togni, Maurizio Isabella
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5988
Netherlands:
Recital by Sietze de Vries in Epe
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6508
Recital by Arjan Breukhoven in Maassluis:
Improvisations, organworks and classical themes
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6014
Spain:
Raúl del Toro at VI Festival ORGUES DE PONENT 2004
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6618
------------------
Today's organ stop:
Rauschwerk
http://www.organfocus.com/redir.php?filename=Rauschwerk
Have a great week!
Lana
Oops! A link was missing:
* In quarter-century, organist's never skipped a beat Richard Bunbury
to be honored Sunday by St. Theresa of Avila Chute
"When Richard R. Bunbury is honored at a Silver Jubilee concert of
sacred and instrumental music on Sunday at St. Theresa's in West
Roxbury - where he's organist and music director - it won't be just
because of how much music Bunbury has shared with his congregation
over the past quarter-century. It will also be in recognition of his
hard work in bringing it all together through the years. "
http://www2.townonline.com/roslindale/artsLifestyle/view.bg?articleid=104605
Cheers,
Lana
Greetings!
What a fun-filled weekend it was. In the previous newsletter, I
mentioned that the historic 1868 Erben organ at St Patrick's Old
Cathedral will be given an OHS citation on Sunday. What I didn't
mention is that I was turning pages and pulling stops for Jared
Lamenzo, as he performed the Prelude and Final from Vierne's Symphony
#1. It was exciting, thrilling and quite unnerving to be there in the
middle of it all. The more I listen to the Erben, the more I realize
what a gem it is. The OHS folks, including Sebastian Gluck, Craig R.
Whitney and Paul Marchesano, took turns on the instrument after
Jared's performance.
Jared is doing a fantastic job trying to get recognition and funding
for the Erben. His website contains a section on the organ and his
activities in securing the future of this magnificent instrument.
http://www.jaredlamenzo.com/thisorgan/
Do you know or play a historic instrument that needs recognition and
protection? You can apply for a citation from the Organ Historical
Society:
http://www.organsociety.org
Stay tuned for more on the Erben at OrganFocus.com .
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
----------
* Kimball Organ Restoration
David L. Wyatt jr. writes:
The 1931 Kimball Organ at the First Congregational Church in Columbus, Ohio
has been fully restored after many years where the organ was unplayable.
Yale organist Thomas Murray gave the Kimball its first concert on October
17, 2004. The Kimball was recently restored by the Peebles-Herzoz Company
of Columbus, Ohio and has 4 manuals, 73 stops, 66 ranks, 4,407 pipes and
excels in the symphonic style.
It joins the 1971 von Beckerath Organ installed in the Church Gallery. The
Beckearath (3 manuals, 47 stops, 77 ranks, 3, 719 pipes) to give
First-Church two superb concert organs, both exemplars of their type.
Video circiutry has made it possible to play both organs together in concert
settings and both will be employed during the Church's congregational
concert series, though for the majority of the season will feature the
renewed Kimball.
For more information please visit the Church web site:
http://www.first-church.org
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
----------
Sad? Amuzing? Brow-raising? You decide.
* Heroin dealer my organist, says sheriff
"A SHERIFF had to exclude himself from handling a case when he saw
that a drug dealer in the dock was his church organist."
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,2-1322773,00.html
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
----------
* Music and the Brain -- new Scientific American article
"What is the secret of music's strange power? Scientists are piecing
together what happens in the brains of listeners and musicians"
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa006&articleID=0007D716-71A1-1179-AF868\
3414B7F0000
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
----------
* Who is playing what and where? Did you know you can search
OrganFocus.com by composer, venue, and more?
Try these queries:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Bachhttp://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Viernehttp://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=New+York+churchhttp://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Halloween
Thank you for submitting detailed information with your organ events.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------\
----------
Today's organ stop (as found in St. Patrick's Old Cathedral):
Pyramid Diapason
http://www.organstops.org/s/Spitzprinzipal.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* The Erben pictures are here!
I realized that I didn't catch the names of two OHS members, and will
correct this omission as soon as possible. Enjoy!
http://www.organfocus.com/features/sights-and-sounds/erben_stpatricks.php3
Here is a look at another Erben organ, believed to be the oldest
extant three-manual organ in the U.S:
http://www.organfocus.com/features/essays/katsbaan.php3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* New sites in the Individual Organs and Tours link section:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=26
Schnitgerorgel Zwolle
The Commission Church and Music of the Great Church Zwolle organizes
concerts on the Schnitger Organ in several series.
http://www.schnitgerorgelzwolle.nl/
Moscow Organ
Marvelous new web site featuring a major new pipe organ being
installed in the International House of Music in Moscow, Russia. This
project, a collaboration between Glatter-Götz and Klais organbuilders,
will be inaugurated in December 2004. The website owner is producing a
video about the creation of a pipe organ and is planning to release it
on DVD in late 2005. Visit the link for a unique video tour of the
Glatter-Götz works.
http://www.moscoworgan.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* The accidental critic
On Halloween night, I went to Liya Petrides' recital at Good Shepherd
Catholic Church in Brooklyn. Having failed to find any information
about their organ on the web, I arrived to find a 3-manual Rodgers
(possibly Trillium, can't tell). The turnout was surprizingly large,
consisting mainly of the Russian-speaking crowd. Director of Music and
Organist Michael Fontana explained a little bit about the organ to the
audience, exalting its qualities and affectionately calling it "a good
toaster". With the wonderful acoustics in the room, the sampled voices
sounded okay. Not great. After 30 minutes my ears just got tired. To
credit Liya, she used imaginative registration. I noticed that the
organ sounded much better when only a few ranks were used. At plenum,
the onslaught of non-blended sound just accosted my eardrums. The
organ is powerful indeed, and it produces vibration that can be felt.
But the vibration is of the wrong kind. Instead of washing over you
and going through you in a smooth wave, it creates an unpleasant buzz
and rattle. The fake reverb did not add to the enjoyment either.
That said, I have a 2-manual analog Rodgers 75 at home, and it
actually has a warmer sound than the sampled-voice model at Good
Shepherd.
The program:
Bach: Toccata & Adagio from Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C
Buxtehude: Prelude, Fugue and Chaconne in C
Taneiev: Chorale Variations on Ave Maria
Alain: Litanies
Bach: Passacaglia and Fugue in c
Widor: Toccata in F (Final from Fifth Symphonie)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Historic organ from local church is now making music in Russia
A Hinners pipe organ originally from Holland, MI, traveled to Bryansk.
http://www.thehollandsentinel.net/stories/110104/loc_110104004.shtml
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* New Letourneau Pipe Organ in Recital
Dr. Haig Mardirosian to perform at Nativity Lutheran Church.
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=42264&paper=69&cat=104
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop:
Schweizerflöte
http://www.organstops.org/s/Schweizerflote.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* The pipes are calling: Swampscott church receives new $500,000 organ
The story of the new Noack organ in the First Church of Swampscott
http://www.thedailyitemoflynn.com/news/view.bg?articleid=7513
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Heavenly Music at St. Luke
"Pipe organ, acoustics make church preferred spot for performers and recordings"
http://www.connectionnewspapers.com/article.asp?article=42535&paper=68&cat=104
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Shanklin Music Hall presents first organ-silent movie program
"GROTON -- Theater organ buffs and film fans filled the Shanklin Music
Hall to capacity in two presentations of the silent film blockbuster,
"Phantom of the Opera," starring Lon Chaney, complete with theatre
organ accompaniment."
http://www.shirleyoracle.com/Stories/0,1413,111~5846~2515421,00.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Phillips Church's new organ has 6,000 pipes painstakingly tuned by
an Italian master
Description of the new Fratelli Ruffatti organ at the Phillips Exeter
Academy campus. Aside from misspelling the Ruffatti name and referring
to the Swell organ as the Small organ, a fun article by a reporter who
bravely climbed inside the instrument.
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/exeter/10222004/currents/44374.htm
For the organ specs, visit the Ruffatti website:
http://www.ruffatti.com/html/phillips_exeter.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Organ needs restoration funds
The world's largest pipe organ at Atlantic City needs monetary help.
The article is curiously spliced with another one inviting players to
"maximize their rewards by playing video poker". I wonder if someone
has ever tried rallying the casinos in this money-making town to throw
in a little?
http://www.courierpostonline.com/news/southjersey/m110104l.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Select upcoming events
* Netherlands
Swifterbant: Jacques van den Dool, organ; Harrie van Oirschor, flute
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=5984
* USA
Wilmington, DE: Felix Hell
The organ Felix will be playing on was recently renovated by Russell
Meyer and features a total of 2,276 speaking pipes.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6719
Manchester, CT: Eric Gundersen
Gundersen who recently finished a six month stint as guest organist at
the Salt Lake Tabernacle, will be playing a program of classical and
sacred music on the recently restored Austin pipe organ.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6773
* Spain
VI Festival ORGUES DE PONENT 2004: Jordi-Agustí Piqué with Jaume
Fàbregas, trumpet
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6620
* Belgium
Xavier Desprez: "Le Tombeau de Georges Rouault"
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6085
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's organ stop:
Jubal
http://www.organstops.org/j/Jubal.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* MSO giving organ sound welcome
"The Overture Concert Organ, all 4,040 pipes, receives its official
dedication next weekend - so we'll count the instrument's previous
appearances as warm-up sessions."
http://www.madison.com/wsj/home/features/index.php?ntid=17140&ntpid=2
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Trip to Germany inspires organist
"HOLMES BEACH - When the audience hears a Bach piece at Carl Parks'
next recital in January they may sense the heightened passion he feels
after his recent pilgrimage to Germany."
http://www.bradenton.com/mld/bradenton/10177136.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Beautiful sounds flowing from recital hall: New pipe organ at UNLV
honors Las Vegan's love of music
Article on a new pipe organ, the largest in Nevada
http://www.reviewjournal.com/lvrj_home/2004/Nov-14-Sun-2004/living/25193683.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Local Woman Donates Pipe Organ to ISU
"For years, Idaho State University did without a pipe organ to teach
its students on."
http://www.localnews8.com/home/1118451.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* As I am typing this newsletter, I am listening to a performance by
Hans Davidsson at Martinikerk Groningen. This CD was recorded from a
live concert on July 5, 2000, and sent to me by Tim Knigge. Tim and
his friends are actively organizing and recording recitals on the
historic Arp Schnitger organ, the only organ in the world that still
has the original 32' Prestant pipes manufactured by Schnitger in the
years 1690/91.
Visit the site:
http://www.asset-control.com/martini/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* New links:
In Individual Organs and Tours
( http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=26 ):
** Moller organ at Roswell United Methodist Church
The Roswell United Methodist Church Moller organ contains 94 ranks of
pipes divided into 6 divisions totaling 5,300 pipes, plus a chime set
of 25 bells and a zimbelstern of 11 bells. The entire organ is
controlled from a massive console of 5 manuals. Site contains an
interactive pipe organ console.
http://www.mosingers.com/organ/default.html
In The Science of Music
( http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=27 ):
** Scientific American: Speaking Tonal Languages Promotes Perfect Pitch
A new study concludes that young musicians who speak Mandarin Chinese
can learn to identify isolated musical notes much better than English
speakers can.
http://www.sciam.com/article.cfm?chanID=sa003&articleID=000AF8AE-D1DD-118F-91DD8\
3414B7F0000
New Link Category: Pipe Organ in Literature
Visit to read about literary works, old and modern, in which the organ
is featured prominently.
Additions include an exceprt and my review of books by Neal
Stephenson, and Gene Stroble's Net Novelet, "The Glorious Sound".
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=35
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Today's organ stop:
Twenty-Fifth
http://www.organstops.org/t/TwentyFifth.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* Church in Shaker Heights sees pipe dream come true
"With the completion of a $750,000 renovation, the formerly dull
instrument has become as colorful as the brilliant stained glass in
the soaring sacred space."
http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment\
/110094671212880.xml
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Aspiring organist can reap reward
"FLINT - The Flint Chapter of the American Guild of Organists is
offering a $300 award to a student who is studying or considering
studying the organ."
http://www.mlive.com/news/fljournal/index.ssf?/base/news-0/1100958633123500.xml
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Organists delight at Shadyside Presbyterian concert
'The delights of Michael Barone's "Pipedreams" were just as winning
when experienced in person Sunday afternoon at Shadyside Presbyterian
Church as they have been on the air, where his radio program has
prospered nationally for 22 years.'
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/entertainment/music/s_270736.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Phelps Award for Organist
"ON THE evening of Saturday, October 30, auditions were held at Hexham
Abbey for the Lawrence Phelps Recital Award 2005. This is a biennial
award designed to provide help and encouragement to aspiring young
organists."
http://www.hexham-courant.co.uk/news/viewarticle.asp?id=153120
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Organist Johan Hermans invites everyone to visit his website. Johan
is active as a teacher, recitalist, lecturer and much more. Read about
him in five languages:
http://www.johanhermans.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* New link:
In The Science of Music:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=27
** Nature: Music mirrors tone patterns in our speech
"Would Elgar's Pomp and Circumstance or Debussy's Clair de Lune have
sounded the same if the composers had been born in different
countries? Probably not, according to researchers who have found that
the melodies composers write are influenced by the language they
speak."
http://www.nature.com/news/2004/041108/full/041108-12.html
I would love to hear your comments on this research finding.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Come to Brooklyn!
Daniel Forger will perform a recital at historic Flatlands Dutch
Reformed Church.
Sunday, Nov. 21 at 4 PM
Sweelinck,Buxtehude, Bach, variations on the National Anthem by
America's first music professor and spirituals in a Jazz Style
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=6799
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Today's organ stop:
Feldflöte
http://www.organstops.org/f/Feldflote.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* Iveta Apkalna news page has been updated. Read about her latest CD,
"Himmel und Hölle" (Heaven & Hell) produced by the German label
Edition Hera.
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/iveta_apkalna.php
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* A final note: Retiring organ maker is crafting his last elegant instruments
Article about John Brombaugh, his upcoming retirement, and what he
plans to do next.
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/11/28/ol.organbuilder.1128.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Organ pipes in at Keith-Albee
"Marshall University professor leads way to preserving historic theater"
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2004/November/30/LNspot.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Wren organ gets workout from students
"December recitals on tap"
http://www.wm.edu/news/index.php?id=4108
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* HSBC helps in restoration of Mosta dome organ
Bank is helping restore a historic pipe organ in the Maltese Islands
http://www.independent.com.mt/daily/newsview.asp?id=28950
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Organist to speak about drive to save instruments
Robert Edmunds, president of The Huntington Theatre Organ Project
Inc., was to speak today at the Huntington Rotary Club meeting.
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2004/November/25/LNlist9.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Spencerport man builds sweet music
"Richard Noah is a retired plumber with one big pipe dream."
http://westsidenewsonline.com/OldSite/westside/news/2004/1121/features/spptman.h\
tml
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* New MP3s:
Aarnoud de Groen invites everyone to his website, which was updated
with new downloadable recordings of Bach. I keep Aarnoud's own
brilliant Fantasy on Psalm 75 on my Ipod.
http://www.aarnouddegroen.com/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Michigan medley
"Theater organ, U-M professor's music featured on national radio"
http://www.mlive.com/entertainment/aanews/index.ssf?/base/features-0/11014962102\
37100.xml
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* New links:
In Church Musician Resources:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=22
** Presbyterian Association of Musicians
"The Presbyterian Association of Musicians (PAM) is a national
organization of the Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.) for people who are
involved in the areas of worship, music, and the arts. Choir
directors, organists, Christian educators, clergy, and lay people will
find PAM to be a valuable resource for creative worship planning."
Site includes a church jobs listing.
http://www.pcusa.org/pam/
In Festivals, Competitions, Special Projects:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=13
** Åland Organ Festival
Åland is an archipelago of 6,500 islands and skerries at the heart of
the Nordic region.
http://www.alfest.org
In Individual Organs and Tours:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=26
** Organ at St Mary Magdalene, Holloway, London
The organ was originally built in 1814, the last church organ of
important English organbuilder George England. The organ is well-known
to organ historians and "may be numbered among the most important in
London"
http://organ.n7parish.net/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Today's organ stop:
Copula
http://www.organstops.org/c/Copula.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
This is a special double-length issue.
** OrganFocus News **
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* New Article by Colin Mawby, "Straightforward Organ Music". Colin
opines on contemporary organ composition.
http://www.organfocus.com/members/mawby/straightforward_organ_music.php3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Faythe Freese invites everyone to the Church Music Conference 2005
given by the University of Alabama School of Music. Featuring
Christopher Herrick.
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/ChurchMusicConference2005.doc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Michael Grüber of http://www.mg-music.com and
http://www.ORGANpromotion.org sent two reports on masterclasses by Ben
Van Oosten and Olivier Latry held earlier this year. Enjoy the reports
in German, English and French.
-- http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/OrgelmeisterkursOosten.doc
-- http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/OrgelmeisterkursLatry.doc
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* New MP3: Roman Krasnovsky's Chorale on 'Meine Seele erhebt den
Herrn', performed by the composer and dedicated to yours truly.
http://www.organfocus.com/members/krasnovsky/krasnovsky_chorale.mp3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Google GMAIL invites!
Gmail is a great new free web-based email system from Google. Perks
include one Gigabyte of space, ability to do full-text search in
emails and much more.
Read about it here:
https://gmail.google.com
Currently you can only get it if someone invites you. I will send an
invite to the first five (5) readers who respond they are interested.
Just hit "reply" and I will get your message. Happy holidays!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
** Web News **
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Church has faith in pipe organ's appeal
"KENNEBUNKPORT -- After more than 40 years, traditional pipe organ
music is returning to the South Congregational Church."
http://pressherald.mainetoday.com/religion/stories/041204religion.shtml
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* A rare pedals and pipes treat
Singapore: "CHEAH UI-HOON finds out what's unusual about the upcoming concert"
http://business-times.asia1.com.sg/story/0,4567,138504,00.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Church organist pleads accused of sexual abuse
"WATERBURY, Conn. -- A former church organist from Naugatuck has
pleaded not guilty to sexual assault and child pornography charges
involving girls he met at a Derby church."
http://www.newsday.com/news/local/state/ny-bc-ct-brf--organistcharg1202dec02,0,3\
096504.story?coll=ny-region-apconnecticut
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Joyful songs in memory of a friend
"The classic dilemma for a church choir director is the tone-deaf
singer who is just the sweetest guy on Earth. What's a conductor to
do?
Organist and music director David Messineo, described by acquaintances
as the most amiable and upbeat person they knew, did nothing."
http://www.nj.com/entertainment/ledger/index.ssf?/base/entertainment-2/110240399\
9309490.xml
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* As Good As It Gets
--an article about the custom sound reinforcement system installed in
Walt Disney Concert Hall, Los Angeles
http://www.zioshow.com/viewnews.php?id=4993
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Grace Episcopal featured on Hy-Vee holiday grocery bags
How's that for an organ publicity idea?
http://www.chillicothenews.com/articles/2004/12/08/news/news4.txt
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* Today's Organ Stop:
Cubus
http://www.organstops.org/c/Cubus.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* Spreckels Organ Celebration
Carol Williams, San Diego Civic Organist, and the Spreckels Organ
Society invite ALL to a spectacular FREE 5 hour birthday concert
celebrating the 90th birthday of the Great Spreckels organ in Balboa
Park on Saturday January 1 from 12 Noon until 5pm. Join the
festivities and bring your friends!
More info at
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/SpreckelsBirthday.rtf
and
http://www.sosorgan.com/
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* Vital Organs
"The battle of the pipe organs begins this week with the debut of
Russia's largest instrument to date. "
Article about the new Klais/Glatter-Götz organ at Moscow International
House of Music (MMDM) and the soon-to-be-inaugurated Kuhn organ in the
Roman Catholic Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin
Mary.
http://context.themoscowtimes.com/stories/2004/12/17/103.html
For those of you just joining in, I recommend visiting the site of a
movie producer who is filming the MMDM project from conception to
completion. Site includes a video of the Glatter-Götz workshop.
http://www.moscoworgan.com/
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* Apple iTunes releases Keith Thompson's Pipe Organ Classic, 'A King's
Christmas'
"Not only does this decision invite serious music lovers to join the
digital music age with Keith's pipe organ albums, but clearly
demonstrates that Apple iTunes+iPod usage is not limited to pop music
lovers."
http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=12032
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* St. Francis Church wants to replace pipe organ
Quincy, IL: "St. Francis Church in has embarked on a $200,000
fund-raising campaign to buy a used pipe organ to replace one which
was sold about 25 years ago."
They are looking to get the word about this out, and have already
reached a pledge of $100k.
http://www.whig.com/327082958215926.php
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* Parish raising a joyful noise
Article about the new Glatter-Götz organ for Augustana Lutheran
Church, Twin Cities, MN
http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/10444256.htm
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* Legendary Organist Frank Pellico Returns to The MARK
"Moline, IL-The Mallards are proud to announce that legendary
Blackhawks organist Frank Pellico is returning to The MARK on January
15th."
http://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3111260&l_id
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* MPR: Christmas hymn born out of anquish
Profile of composer Paul Manz and his music
http://news.minnesota.publicradio.org/features/2004/12/20_olsond_manz/
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* Organ stars in silent movie
Green Bay, WI: 'The recently formed local chapter of the American
Theatre Organ Society held its first fund-raiser at the theater, at
the corner of Broadway and Walnut Street, during a showing of "Big
Business." '
http://www.greenbaynewschron.com/page.html?article=129102
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* Eugene man realizes life's dream by crafting a wooden pipe organ
"Many middle-age people dream of quitting their jobs to pursue
unlikely artistic dreams. Five years ago, David Petty stopped dreaming
and took the plunge."
http://www.registerguard.com/news/2004/12/14/a1.organbuilder.1214.html
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* Organ Project Gets More Notes from Lottery
"The Royal College of Organists (RCO) has secured a further £2.6
million from the Heritage Lottery Fund towards its £8.4 million target
for the project at Curzon Street in Birmingham."
http://news.scotsman.com/latest.cfm?id=3898004
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* New link:
In Individual Organs and Tours:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=26
Who looks like a cowboy and plays like an organist?
Read about the Hoopernacle, the pipe organ Hal Stoddard is building in his barn.
http://members.aol.com/Hooprncle/
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* Coming up in the next newsletter: MP3 samples of Iveta Apkalna's
exciting new CD, "Himmel und Hölle". I have been publishing news
updates about Latvia's organ star for almost a year now, and have
finally heard her playing when her concert manager Lukas Pollack sent
me a few of her CDs. Iveta is a wonderful artist, and I think you will
agree when you listen to samples in the next update.
In the meantime, visit Iveta's news page here:
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/iveta_apkalna.php
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* Today's Organ Stop:
Lochgedackt
http://www.organstops.org/l/Lochgedackt.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* As promised, sample MP3's of Iveta Apkalna's new CD, "Himmel und
Hölle" are now up on the web. One of my personal favorites is the
first piece, Aivars Kalejs - Toccata über den Choral von J. S. Bach
"Allein Gott in der Höh' sei Ehr". As you keep listening, it blossoms
and becomes powerful and uplifting, while remaining etheral at the
same time. I find myself humming the chorale these days.
Please visit her page to listen and see the distributor/purchase information:
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/iveta_apkalna.php
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* "Grand Female Organists -- Große Organistinnen" concert series will
be held in January in Evangelische Epiphaniengemeinde
Berlin-Charlottenburg, Germany.
Performers are: Barbara Dennerlein, Dame Gillian Weir, Inger-Lise
Ulsrud, Iveta Apkalna and Margaret Phillips.
See details:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Grand+female+organists
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* Obituary: Hubert S. Shearin, rescuer of organs
"Wurlitzer at Emery is one prize"
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20041227/NEWS0104/412270337/\
1060/NEWS01
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* Elaborate organ setup is source of wonderment for O'Fallon, Ill.
"With the flick of a few switches and a tug at a knob or two, Moelmann
brings the entire room to life in an exuberant cacophony of music and
motion."
http://www.stltoday.com/stltoday/news/stories.nsf/metroeast/story/4980EFAAD8782D\
0486256F7800146D25?OpenDocument
Read more about this organ here:
http://theatreorgans.com/il/ofallon/
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* Longtime Yankee Stadium Organist Dies
NEW YORK Dec 27, 2004 -- Eddie Layton, the Yankee Stadium organist and
ballpark fixture for more than 35 years, has died after a brief
illness.
http://abcnews.go.com/Sports/wireStory?id=364315
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Links of Interest:
* It's a Wurlitzer
"The giant of the musical instrument collection makes
tunes--rootin'-tootin' or romantic "
http://www.smithsonianmag.si.edu/smithsonian/issues02/apr02/object.html
* Violins and Pipe Organs
Did you know that your car can act as a giant organ pipe?
Read the first question on the page for an explanation. Other
questions are also quite educational.
http://howthingswork.virginia.edu/violins_and_pipe_organs.html
* Nature: Mystery of 'chirping' pyramid decoded
Acoustic analysis shows how temple transforms echoes into sounds of nature.
http://www.nature.com/news/2004/041213/full/041213-5.html
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Today's Organ Stop:
Coppendoff
http://www.organstops.org/c/Coppendoff.html
Have a great week and Happy New Year,
Lana
Greetings!
With hopes for healing amid the devastation in Asia, here is a link to
various sites that accept donations.
http://www.google.com/tsunami_relief.html
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* In December, I had commissioned a humorous drawing of myself at the
keyboard from a coworker. It was made into wonderful greeting cards.
You can also see it online now at
http://www.organfocus.com/card.php
Based in New York City, Emily Harrison is delightful to work with. She
took my concept and gave it her special flair. I highly recommend her
services. Emily is also a professional violinist and welcomes musical
opportunities. You can contact her at harrisonATpost.harvard.edu .
I realized that herein lies yet another way to promote the pipe organ
in the modern world: get an artist to draw it! Encourage creation of
new art featuring our instrument. In the process, the artists will
learn from you and will be sure to tell their friends about the
exciting new work they are creating. The work will make its way into
their portfolios for even more potential eyeballs.
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* Jared Lamenzo (organist, St. Patrick's Old Cathedral) and his team
had an interactive installation of Mocean at the Tisch School of the
Arts, NYU, in December. "Mocean explores the potential of water as an
emotive interface for public spaces and installations. The aim of
Mocean is to merge a natural element, water, with digital technology
to create an organic and satisfying experience." The first
installation of this project was held in the Alexander Chapel of First
Presbyterian Church, New York City.
Learn more about Mocean and watch a video:
http://stage.itp.nyu.edu/~mm1754/lip/mocean2.html
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* Carol Williams sent this link to pictures from the spectacular
Spreckels 90th Birthday Celebration. Pictures were taken by Robert
Harrington, Spreckels Organ Society Photographer. She writes: "The
concert was from 12 noon until 5 pm and around 7,500 people came to
celebrate the event. Also, there was much coverage from the local
papers and various television stations."
http://robert-harrington.com/spreckels/050101_90th/index.htm
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* Did you know? There is another large civic organ pavillion in the
works in California. The Waterfront Pavilion will be a cultural
facility that will become the permanent home of the historic 1915
Panama-Pacific Exposition organ. The 'Friends of the Waterfront
Pavilion' will produce free outdoor organ concerts as well as other
performing arts programs year round. The success of the Spreckels
Pavillion in San Diego serves as a model and inspiration for this
project.
http://www.sfpavilion.org/
San Francisco is home to another interesting instrument. Its Wave
Organ is a unique artifact, part musical instrument, part
environmental sculpture.
http://www.hb.quik.com/jamesl/WaveOrgan.html
For more interesting and amusing links please visit my directory of
Organistic Curiosities:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=17
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* Rochester 2005: Arts construction churning ahead
"Rochester will become the pipe organ capital of North America. In
October, the Eastman School of Music will install an extraordinary
antique organ in the Memorial Art Gallery's Fountain Court."
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050101/NEWS01/5\
01010327/1002/NEWS
Visit EROI, the Eastman Rochester Organ Initiative:
http://www.rochester.edu/Eastman/EROI/
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* Rejected mansion free to a new owner
Historic mansion owned by Steve Jobs, in the news since last year, is
now the subject of a legal decision to bar Jobs from demolishing it.
He is looking for someone to dismantle the mansion and move it,
Aeolian pipe organ included, to another site.
http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2002138194_house02.html
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* Upcoming events: see what's coming up in January.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?month=01&year=2005
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Today's Organ Stop:
Compensating Mixture
http://www.organstops.org/c/CompensatingMixture.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* Organist shows command at Conference Center
"If an organ recital is held in Salt Lake City's huge LDS Conference
Center, will it look like anyone showed up?"
http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_2520354
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* Ralph Kohn 'Takes Five'
"Providing that old movie palace sound" -- interview with the organist
at Oriental Theatre in Milwaukee, WI
http://www.jsonline.com/onwisconsin/movies/jan05/291349.asp
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* Nailers Announce Return Of Team Organist
""Turn back the clock night" will feature the Nailers' players wearing
Wheeling Thunderbirds jerseys and the return of team organist Dan
Wheeler."
http://www3.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/?id=3115664
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* John Bartell, half-century organist
"It's the best seat in the house," he says before the towering organ
pipes thunder into life at St. Ann's Church Saturday afternoon."
http://www.eveningtribune.com/articles/2005/01/08/news/news03.txt
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* Masterpiece of craft and sound
The new organ at Phillips Exeter Academy a delight for the senses
http://www.fosters.com/January2005/01.09.05/news/home_01.09.05a.asp
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Featured Links:
* Stalacpipe Organ
A reader suggested that I was missing this link in my "Organistic
Curiosities" directory. Read about it and listen to a sound sample:
http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om25450.html
PS the site, www.OddMusic.com, is a treasure trove of strange and
unusual musical instrument info.
* The Organ in Jewish Liturgy
Description from the Jewish Encyclopedia
http://www.jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=124&letter=O
* Organ Data Base Berlin
The organ data base contains more than 153,000 data records refering
to about 74,000 organs all over the world, of which 126,000 data
records refer to about 53,000 organs in Germany alone.
http://aedv.cs.tu-berlin.de/projects/orda/orda_en.html
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Today's Organ Stop:
Cone Gedeckt
http://www.organstops.org/c/ConeGedeckt.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
* Mendelssohn Encounters Bach
David Shuler performs the historic recital played by Mendelssohn in
August 1840 at St. Thomas Church in Leipzig.
Jan. 20, 2005 at the Church of St. Luke in the Fields, NYC. More info
and the program at:
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/stluke_20050120.rtf
Visit the church website:
http://www.stlukeinthefields.org
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* Julliard Organist To Perform Feb. 14 At Baylor Conference
Paul Jacobs, chairman of the organ department at the Juilliard School
of Music in New York City, will present a guest recital at Baylor
University at 7:30 p.m. Monday, Feb. 14, in Jones Concert Hall in the
Glennis McCrary Music Building.
http://pr.baylor.edu/story.php?id=005579
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* The Bamboo Organ in its biggest music festival
This year's Festival is extra special, for audiences will get to
experience each concert night inside the renovated Saint Joseph Church
and hear beautiful music from a newly restored bamboo organ.
http://www.manilatimes.net/national/2005/jan/17/yehey/life/20050117lif1.html
Visit the Bamboo Organ website:
http://bamboo.diegocera.com/
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* Driven by her love of music
Shepparton, Australia: Margaret Smith, 80, coordinated a fundraising
effort of tens of thousands of dollars to save the Wesley Uniting
Church's aging pipe organ and dedicated 30 years to organizing fine
music concerts at the church.
http://news.mcmedia.com.au/story.asp?TakeNo=200501064526303
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* Wrapped in the sublime
Acoustical setting and organ promise a stunning debut; Craig Cramer
has waited five months for this week.
http://www.southbendtribune.com/stories/2005/01/16/entertainment.20050116-sbt-MI\
CH-E3-Wrapped.sto
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* Featured Links from my Great Music Links collection:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=23
** Alchemical Music - MIDI files of the fugues in Atalanta Fugiens,
Michael Maier's alchemical emblem book published in 1617
http://www.levity.com/alchemy/music.html
** Kora Music - This project is devoted to the music, the culture and
the musicians of the most demanding and highest developed African
string instrument
http://www.kora-music.com/
** Russian Bells - Website about Russian Orthodox bells, the history
of bell-ringing, with pictures and music samples
http://www.russianbells.com/
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Today's Organ Stop:
Silver Flute
http://www.organstops.org/s/SilverFlute.html
Have a great week,
Lana
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