Greetings!
** OrganFocus News
* Here are some more of my beloved Schuebler-Chorales by Bach, warts
and all. I only had a chance to record during my lessons, so sometimes
there will be background noise and sometimes I hit a wrong note. Think
of it as live performance :)
Re-recorded Wo soll ich fliehen hin:
http://www.organfocus.com/media/sounds/lk_bwv646_2.mp3
Wer nur den lieben Gott laesst walten:
http://www.organfocus.com/media/sounds/lk_bwv647.mp3
Ach bleib bei uns:
http://www.organfocus.com/media/sounds/lk_bwv649.mp3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
** Member News
* Aarnoud de Groen is inviting everyone to his website to listen to
fresh recordings, including Schuebler-Chorales and other works by
Bach.
http://www.aarnouddegroen.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Roman Krasnovsky is starting his 2005 tour of Europe, playing in
England and Germany.
See his tour schedule:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?year=2005&keywords=Krasnovsky
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
** Web News
* Weaver winds up 50 years of Kotzschmar concerts
"On Tuesday, John Weaver will play his final concert on Portland's
famous organ."
http://entertainment.mainetoday.com/news/050731weaver.shtml
----------------------------------------------------------------------
HAIL TO THE LADIES:
* Church organist has been on the job 80 years
"And she's still here, at age 96."
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050717/LIFE01/50717033\
5/1041
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* The LaVern Welke Show: Hokah organist key to church's music
"LaVern Welke has only missed three Sundays of playing the organ at
her church in 75 years."
http://www.lacrossetribune.com/articles/2005/07/19/news/z02welke.txt
----------------------------------------------------------------------
REEDS:
* News from Brattleboro, VT:
The Reed Organ Society will hold its first international conference in
Brattleboro Oct. 13-16
http://www.reformer.com/Stories/0,1413,102~8862~2980310,00.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
PAPER:
* Music Thing
"Who wouldn't want to build a fully working, user-programmable Paper
Pipe Organ?"
Read about the kit you can buy and build out of cardboard:
http://www.engadget.com/entry/1234000870052437/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
TRAVEL:
* What's to do this summer in Croatia? Listen to the sea organ of Zadar!
Read about the organ:
http://www.inyourpocket.com/croatia/zadar/en/venue?id=CRZDENX0441
See pictures of the sea organ and many other images of Croatia:
http://www.photocroatia.com/thumball/zadar.php
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* The HEFERER Organs - 12th Festival is going on until October 16.
For a number of years, to the delight of organ music lovers, the
Zagreb Concert Management and the Heferer Company – The First Croatian
Builders of Organs, Harmoniums, and Pianos (est. 1849) have been
preparing a festival of 15 soloist and chamber concerts.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Croatia
----------------------------------------------------------------------
SPORTS:
* Cubs' organist the key to the seventh-inning stretch
"Gary Pressy, the Cubs' organist, still remembers the first time Mike
Ditka sang "Take Me Out to the Ball Game'' at Wrigley Field during the
seventh-inning stretch."
http://www.suntimes.com/output/cubs/cst-spt-pressy24.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Dodger organist entertains Iowa fans
"Nancy Bea Hefley feared her career would end on a sour note."
http://desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050720/SPORTS0301/5072\
00363/1014/SPORTS03
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Coming Soon:
A press release by Carol Willams
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop is:
Cymbale Harmonique
http://www.organstops.org/c/CymbaleHarmonique.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
** OrganFocus News:
The Carol Williams News Page has been updated with a press release
detailing a Spreckels Premier and International Organ Festival.
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/carol_williams.php
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
** Web News:
* Great Auditorium's Organ is a Star Attraction
"As he does every year, the Great Auditorium's master organist Gordon
Turk has pulled out all the stops this summer"
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050814/ENT/508140311/1033
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Events aimed at promoting pipe organ
Description of activities that took place last month at a Pipe Organ
Encounter in Augustana, SD
http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050718/LIFE/507180323/10\
04
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Disney's El Capitan Theater organist Rob Richards named Organist of the Year
"Rob Richards, the popular house organist at Hollywood's legendary El
Capitan Theatre, has been named 2005 "Organist of the Year" by the
American Theatre Organ Society"
http://www.disneylandreport.com/disneynews/050812disneyselcapitantheaterorganist\
robrichards.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Radio Broadcast:
"In July, some 300 members of the Organ Historical Society are toured
Massachusetts in search of the state's long-forgotten pipe organs.
They took their "organ convention" on the road to sample the sounds of
a bygone era when the instrument was popular across New England."
Click below to listen:
http://www.here-now.org/shows/2005/08/20050810_17.asp
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Gay organist sues NG Kerk
Pretoria: "A gay organist is suing an NG Kerk congregation after he
was suspended for being involved in a homosexual relationship"
http://iafrica.com/news/sa/604413.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Teen organist back from 'magical' gig at Vatican
"Walnut Creek organist Keenan Boswell has a resume most professionals
would envy"
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/entertainment/music/12300753.htm
------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Vatican City organist arrives in Stratford
Description of James Goettsche's concerts from Jul 28 to Jul 30
http://www.prleap.com/pr/11579/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
** New Links in the Link Directory:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/
* Fitzjohn Music Publications
Fitzjohn Music Publications is a unique catalogue of sheet music
edited and arranged by David Patrick - organist, harpsichordist,
conductor.
http://www.impulse-music.co.uk/fitzjohnmusic.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* The New Zealand Organ Manufactory
The New Zealand Organ Manufactory was established in 1998 to provide
owners of pipe and reed organs with quality care and maintenance at an
affordable cost. One of the interesting ffacts about the company is
that they use organic and natural materials whenever possible,
including ostrich and peacock feathers for cleaning old pipes.
http://www.nzorgman.co.nz/
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Organs of Gdansk, Poland
Organs of Gdansk is a growing website featuring past and present organs
in the city as well as concert information
http://www.gdanskie-organy.com
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop is:
Horn Diapason
http://www.organstops.org/h/HornDiapason.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
** OrganFocus News:
New at the site are MP3s from my good friend Liya Petrides. Liya
recently graduated with a DMA from the Juilliard School, and she is
currently in Germany playing at the Mikael Tariverdiev Organ
Competition.
http://www.organcompetition.ru/index-en.htm
Listen to Liya's recordings:
Reger, Introduction and Passacaglia
http://www.organfocus.com/media/sounds/PetridesTrack04.mp3
Taneiev, Chorale Varie
http://www.organfocus.com/media/sounds/PetridesTrack05.mp3
Franck, Chorale in a
http://www.organfocus.com/media/sounds/PetridesTrack09.mp3
Dupre, Carillon
http://www.organfocus.com/media/sounds/PetridesTrack10.mp3
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
** Web News:
* Churches struggle to find replacements for organists
"Many Blue Water Area churches have organs, but not all of them have
an organist. St. Paul Lutheran Church in Port Huron Township is about
to join the ranks of churches in which the organ sits silent during
worship services."
http://www.thetimesherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050820/NEWS01/5082003\
10/1002
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Jordan Williams: Newsman has equal love for news, organ
"Recognizable for his day job as reporter and anchor for KWES-TV,
Williams said he has an equal love for TV news and for playing the
organ. "
http://www.mywesttexas.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15073030&BRD=2288&PAG=461&dept_i\
d=475591&rfi=6
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Danny Topaz; entertainer wowed Padres, fans as team organist
"By the time he completed the first few notes of his audition,
organist Danny Topaz had hit a home run with his future employer. "
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20050822-9999-1m22topaz.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Former councilman campaigns for Grand Theatre pipe organ
"Huffman's husband, Wes, a city councilman from 2000 to 2004, asked
his former colleagues to include a theater organ in the city's
renovation plan for the Grand Theatre, a $19 million building project
started at what was once Tracy's cultural and social hub."
http://www.tracypress.com/local/2005-07-23-pipe-organ.php
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* A resounding love of organs
"It was May 17, 1977, and the trio were riding to a small town in
western Ireland. After three hours, they arrived at a church. Walsh,
then a 13-year-old instrument-maker's apprentice, walked in and was
smitten for life with the most beautiful pipe organ he had ever seen."
http://www.philly.com/mld/inquirer/living/religion/12434235.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Voice of history echoes through temple organ
"Pipe restoration renews Plum Street's bold statement"
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050815/NEWS01/508150350/10\
77/news01
----------------------------------------------------------------------
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop is:
Sanftflote
http://www.organstops.org/s/Sanftflote.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
** Web News:
* Baroque organ unveiled this weekend
"Eastman School brings 17th-century instrument to Memorial Art Gallery"
http://www.democratandchronicle.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20051007/LIVING/5\
10070359/1032
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Repertoire, instrument aligned
"Noted organists to play concert on Tannenberg"
http://www.journalnow.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=WSJ%2FMGArticle%2FWSJ_Relis\
hArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1031785376198&path=!entertainment!music!sub!article&s=1\
037645508978
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Workshop designed to spark interest in organ music
"Clinician has 20 years' experience in church music"
http://www.aberdeennews.com/mld/aberdeennews/news/12791713.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Silent film organ finds voice
"Restored Wurlitzer debuts at 'Phantom of the Opera' showing"
http://www.gtherald.com/herald/2005/oct/05organ.htm
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Making a joyful noise
"Holy Trinity Church in Robinson will be filled with the sound of
music Sunday when nine choirs from throughout the Pittsburgh Diocese
perform at the Parish Choir Festival."
http://pittsburghlive.com/x/tribune-review/entertainment/events/s_380699.html
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* UR alum to open annual organ concert series
"The University of Redlands School of Music announces the first
concert in its annual organ concert series will be at 5 p.m. Sunday,
Oct. 9, featuring organist George Butterfield performing works by
Orlando Gibbons, Alexandre Guilmant, Ralph Vaughan Williams, J.S.
Bach, Richard Baker and Charles Marie Widor."
http://www2.redlandsdailyfacts.com/living/ci_3097314
----------------------------------------------------------------------
* Pilgrim Congregational launches music series
"The goal: To continue the church's classical music heritage and make
good use of its custom-built pipe organ while broadening appeal via
other genres, including bluegrass."
http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/entertainment/12826144.htm
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop is:
Terpodion
http://www.organstops.org/t/Terpodion.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Dear Friends,
This is to let you know that I will not be sending out any newsletters
for a couple of months. I expect to resume in January.
In the meantime, here are links to the Google News on Organists and Pipe Organs:
http://www.google.com/news?q=%27pipe+organ%27http://www.google.com/news?q=%27organist%27
OrganFocus.com web site continues to operate as usual - please do keep
submitting your events to be published in the database.
http://www.organfocus.com/entry_form.php3
Hope everyone has a great holiday season, and see you in 2006!
Lana
Greetings!
It's January and I hope everyone has had a wonderful holiday season.
For me, last year's end meant welcoming my new baby into the world.
Last fall I attended two wonderful organ events. The first one was
Iveta Apkalna's concert at St. Peter's Lutheran church, NYC. This was
her New York City debut. It was thrilling to finally meet the star
organist. I went to work that cold October morning, humming the Kalejs
Toccata which I've listened to so many times on the "Himmel and
Hoelle" CD. It was a nasty, rainy day with gusts of wind and I was
displeased but not surprised at Iveta's audience turnout - about 8
people, including me and my colleague who became her great fan after I
showed him the "Himmel and Hoelle" CD.
Iveta's program was:
F. Mendelssohn - Sonata A-Dur op. 65, Con moto maestoso, Andante tranquillo
J.G. Muethel - Fantasia in F
J.S. Bach - Fantasia & Fugue a-minor, BWV 561
N. Hakim (born 1955) - "Bach'orama", Organ Fantasia on Themes of J.S. Bach
A. Kalejs (Latvia, born 1951) - Toccata on the Choral "Allein Gott in der
Höh' sei Ehre"
Of all the pieces, Kalejs sounded the best, in my opinion. Even though
the Klais organ sounds harsh (something even my coworker, who is not a
professional musician, picked up on), Iveta was able to make the music
soar beatutifully. The Hakim piece was curious bordering on tasteless.
It was true to its name - Bach's themes, many from his organ works,
mixed into some kind of weird dish. I have listened to some of Naji
Hakim's organ music before and am not his greatest fan, so no surprise
there. However, no matter what she plays, Iveta manages to inject her
own brand of excitement into the music.
Meeting Iveta in person was truly the highlight of the day. After the
concert, she took the time to chat with everyone in her excellent
English, and I could see why she wins audience appeal wherever she
goes. My very best wishes to Iveta.
To listen to a fragment of Alvars Kalejs Toccata and other excerpts
from the "Himmel and Hoelle" CD, click here.
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/iveta_apkalna.php#nov2004
----------------------------------------------------
The other concert I went to was the E.M. Skinner's 80th birthday
concert at St. Ann and the Holy Trinity church, in Brooklyn. Organist
Gregory Eaton joined the Brooklyn Symphony orchestra for Saint-Saens'
Organ Symphony. This concert celebrated the restoration of the
historic instrument, and I was very much looking forward to finally
hearing it.
The music concerts at St. Ann are truly a community event. The house
was packed, and there were many families with small children which on
one hand created extra noise and distraction, but on the other broke
with the stuffiness that often accompanies church performances. I was
sitting in the balcony next to a couple of distingushed-looking
gentlemen in sportcoats and with music scores - clearly one of our
kind :)
The orchestral pieces preceding Saint Saens were:
MOZART - Andante for Flute
MENDELSSOHN - Violin Concerto in e Minor
When the organ was finally heard, it was thrilling. Though there is
not much reverberation in the church due to damaged plaster and wooden
floor (not to mention the full house), the sound carried beatufully
and it was unmistakeably a Skinner sound. Well worth the wait. I
talked to Gregory Eaton after the concert and he revealed that the
repairs are still not finished (this was October 23rd) and in fact,
they had to rig up a two-manual console to the organ just to be able
to perform that day.
Pictures are here; note the detail in the middle of the stained glass window.
http://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/stann_1.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/stann_2.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/stann_3.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/stann_4.jpg
That's it for the first newsletter after the break. I'll try to keep
them coming regularly.
Have a good week,
Lana
Greetings!
We will start off with some emails from my site visitors and readers.
** Casavant opus saved from the dump
Fr. Richard P. Harris's chapel, Our Lady of the Sign, has aquired
Casavant Freres opus 1213 (2 manual, 30 note pedalboard, 7 stops),
built in 1927 for Mount Allison Ladies College (now Mount Allison
University in Sackville, New Brunswick, Canada). The instrument was
destined to be scrapped. Fr. Harris is planning to reassemble and fix
the damage to the organ.
In his own words:
"I fully expect that it will take a year to modify the chapel to
accommodate the console, windchest and pipes, to make missing parts
(when it was removed from Mt. A. some things like the supports for the
pipe chest were left behind!!), and to repair some damage apparently
done at the same time. Only then will we hear its wonderful voice
("muddy romantic", my friend says) for the first time."
======
I wish Fr. Harris all the best with the project and hope to hear more
news of its progress. Please write to me at webmaster@...
if you wish to contact Fr. Harris.
=======================================================
** The Love for Oranges and Bach
Carter Bacon is looking to travel the country to listen to organists
play and practice Bach. Could you be one of them to invite Mr. Bacon
to your music-making sessions?
In his own words:
"I'd like to take a trip visiting cities in this country the purpose
being to see and listen to organ music of Bach played on a variety of
the best organs in the country. Mostly they would be in churches. I
don't want to go to concerts by well known performers playing "a well
rounded selection."
I'm old, I'm closed-minded, I'm a Bach - Handel Bigot, I don't want my
taste broadened!
Ideally, I'd simply go where an organist was practicing so I could
sit and listen. Once or twice I've been lucky enough to have this
happen by good luck, and by a sly trick have reached happy agreements
with the musicians.
The sly trick is that I have a house in Florida and the ability to
send big bags of the most delicious oranges to anyone unfortunate
enough to spend the winters where it's cold. So my offer to anyone on
an organ bench is "play some Bach and I'll send you some oranges".
======
Please write to me at webmaster@... for Mr. Bacon's contact
information if interested.
=======================================================
** Looking for a Music Manager
Composer Joyce Missakian is looking for a manager to help her lease her music.
In her own words:
"I am currently seeking a manager to represent me. The music I have
composed on my demo tape sounds similar to the Boston Pops and it
plays for seven minutes, with myself on the grand piano. As it is
now, it is meant for a good motion picture and any music projects.
This would include it being arranged for the pipe organ too. I would
like to lease my music out for different genres, which is why I am
trying to locate a credible, talented, assertive manager. I do not
want to pay a retainer.
If you have any knowledge of a manager or producer who can help me
successfully lease my music, it would be appreciated."
======
Please write to me at webmaster@... for Ms. Missakian's
contact information if interested.
=======================================================
=======================================================
Web News:
** UD organist awarded grant to record CD
University of Delaware's David Herman will use the grant to record the
works of Hugo Distler and his student Jan Bender.
http://www.udel.edu/PR/UDaily/2006/jan/organist012006.html
=======================================================
** Church raises funds for pipe organ repairs
"For nearly two years, the members of Our Redeemer have been trying to
raise the funds needed to repair and refurbish the 26-rank pipe organ
created by Gene Bedient of the Bedient Pipe Organ Company of Lincoln."
http://www.nptelegraph.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=15976719&BRD=377&PAG=461&dept_id\
=531813&rfi=6
=======================================================
** It Happened One Saturday Night at Midnight on San Francisco's Market Street
An memoir of the Fox Theatre and organist George Wright.
http://www.beyondchron.org/news/index.php?itemid=2860
=======================================================
=======================================================
Today's Organ Stop is:
Salicet
http://www.organstops.org/s/Salicet.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Greetings!
** OrganFocus News:
* Brighton Dome Organ Restored to Full Glory
Following seven years painstaking restoration work, the famous organ
of Brighton Dome's Concert Hall has returned home 70 years after its
first performance in 1936.
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/brighton_dome06.php
=======================================================
=======================================================
** New Links:
http://www.organfocus.com/links
For Organbuilders:
* The Leather Supply House
http://www.leathersupplyhouse.com/
* Organ Research
http://www.organresearch.com
Personal Pages:
* Völker, Elke
http://www.elkevoelker.de
* Hernandez, Heather Marie
http://www.pcpages.com/heathermh72/default.html
Organbuilders:
* Elsener Organ Works, Inc.
http://www.ElsenerOrganWorks.com
Great Music Links:
* Music Phrase Translator
http://fluteinfo.com/dictionary/
Sheet music sellers:
* Gebruiktebladmuziek
http://www.gebruiktebladmuziek.nl/
=======================================================
=======================================================
** Rant:
Last week, I was asked to substitute at the church where I used to
hold a Sunday job. The organ there is a Moller dating to the 1950's, a
two-manual practice unit, which is out of tune and generally in
terrible shape but still passable for hymn-playing. I dusted off some
Bach chorales, only to arrive and find that the pedal division wasn't
responding at all. So much for a nice prelude and postlude, not that
anyone except for the pastor cared. People at that church talk through
the preludes and postludes anyway.
I noticed that the congregation numbers grew significantly since I
last played there, from about 15 people on any given Sunday to over
60. I jokingly said to a member of the choir, "now that there are more
people coming, how about starting an organ fund?" But of course other
things always take precedence. Such as installing additional bathrooms
in the basement (used as a dining area and additional space for
services, alternatively), which I agree are a necessity.
How many of my readers can relate or tell a similar tale?
=======================================================
=======================================================
** Web News:
* Church organist carries on family tradition for performing arts series
"Julia Matthews began playing the organ to help her mother, who needed
a reliable substitute for Sunday services at their church in Poplar
Bluff."
http://www.fultonsun.com/articles/2006/02/19/news/316news11.txt
* An organist of the Lord
"Jamaica: DONALD HOSSACK has played music in many churches, taught at
several schools and performed in many countries, earning the title of
well-rounded organist. "
http://www.jamaica-gleaner.com/gleaner/20060310/ent/ent3.html
* Pipe organ drive sounding final notes
"DELAND -- Rabel Moremen-Parson must turn to the lyrics of an Arthur
Sullivan hymn from long ago for the words to describe what it means to
coax living sounds from an old pipe organ."
http://www.news-journalonline.com/NewsJournalOnline/News/Headlines/frtHEAD040321\
06.htm
* St. Mark Lutheran purchases new pipe organ
"There's a newcomer at St. Mark Evangelical Lutheran Church in
Davenport that is creating quite a stir among the congregation."
http://www.qctimes.net/articles/2006/03/17/news/local/doc441a6e42218b7908983582.\
txt
* Pipe dream threatened by Brussels: EU could pull plug on church organs
"A new EU law which comes into force this summer relating to lead – a
key ingredient, along with tin, in organ pipes – has been condemned as
"gobbledegook" by leading musicians."
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=55&ArticleID=1391201
=======================================================
=======================================================
Today's Organ Stop is:
Trompeta Bastarda
http://www.organstops.org/t/TrompetaBastarda.html
Cheers,
Lana
Greetings!
** OrganFocus News
--Select Events:
* Erben Renewal Recital by Jared Lamenzo
2006-04-09 at 2 pm, St. Patrick's Old Cathedral, New York.
"Please join me for a recital of Bach, Brahms, and Mendelssohn on
April 9, 2006 at 2:00PM at St. Patrick's Old Cathedral. The event is
part of the Cathedral's bicentennial kick-off. After the performance,
there will be a reception during which I will be giving a tour of the
1868 Henry Erben pipe organ."
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=8343
More abot this organ:
http://www.organfocus.com/features/sights-and-sounds/erben_stpatricks.php3
* Alaska Theatre Organ Cruise
2006-07-23 to 2006-07-30
"Join our group of theatre organ enthusiasts as we sail Alaska's
incredible Inside Passage while being entertained by one of America's
premier concerts organists and teachers, Walter Strony."
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=8344
* Master class Marie-Claire Alain
2006-04-19 at St. Germain-en-Laye, Paris
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=8166
--New OrganFocus Web-Shop is open.
I have selected items sold at Amazon.com that might be of interest to
organists, organ music lovers, choir directors and other musicians.
You will find books, music and organ magazine subscriptions here, as
well as a host of gadgets useful to musicians. Purchases made through
the shop help support OrganFocus.com .
http://www.organfocus.com/shop/
================================================
** Web News
* Organist links Schoenberg and Bach
"Organist Todd Wilson planned his recital Sunday afternoon at
Severance Hall as a bridge between two Cleveland Orchestra programs. "
http://www.cleveland.com/entertainment/plaindealer/index.ssf?/base/entertainment\
/1144139996213060.xml&coll=2
* Pipes of Glory
"The Kimmel Center unveils a new, state-of-the-art pipe organ in
Verizon Hall, the home of the Philadelphia Orchestra."
http://www.playbillarts.com/features/article/4240.html
* Pipe Organ Series: a set of three articles highlighting three church
organs in Glens Falls
--Pipe organ series 1: A heavenly sound
http://www.poststar.com/story.asp?storyid=216704
--Pipe organ series 2: A short history of the three organs in Glens Falls
http://www.poststar.com/story.asp?storyid=216705
Pipe Organ Series 3: Some fun with pipe organ terms
http://www.poststar.com/story.asp?storyid=216706
================================================
Today's Organ Stop is:
Holzgedeckt
http://www.organstops.org/h/Holzgedeckt.html
Cheers,
Lana
Greetings!
** OrganFocus News:
* Fully restored organ returned to St Botolph's Church Aldgate
A rarity indeed - arguably the oldest church organ in the UK (.doc)
http://www.organfocus.com/features/events/stbotolphs.doc
Link to St. Botolph's organ project pages:
http://www.stbotolphs.org.uk/organintro.php
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** New Links:
* Lamlein, Scott
http://www.scottlamlein.com
* Ferran, Dominique
http://dominique.ferran.free.fr
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Opinion: baby notes
As a new parent, I am discovering the sad state of music in the toys
that tout themselves as an introduction to classical music for babies.
Take the crib mobile, for example.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0007A2H1S/organfocuscom/
It has tinny electronic renditions of Bach, Mozart and Beethoven.
Because of research that shows babies respond better to high
frequencies (that's if you want to stimulate them), the creators of
the mobile attempted to get rid of lower frequencies. Thus, when the
melody takes a leap of an octave downwards in the original, in the
TIny Love version it's played as a repetition of the same note. But my
biggest gripe is the Beethoven piece. In the music loop, it ends on a
dominant septachord. Then it's on to the next composer. Bugs me to no
end.
Then there is the all-popular Baby Einstein Activity Center.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0002U1SFE/organfocuscom/
It has a module that plays pieces by Mozart, Bach and Beethoven too.
Poor long-suffering Beethoven: in the piece, played on an electronic
piano, the ending is clearly botched up. I mean, the player skips an
octave and hits a wrong note, and then crumples up the ending
completely. And they shipped this. Hey, who cares--nobody can tell the
difference, right?
The creators of Baby Smart System,
http://www.babysleepsystem.com/babysmart/index.htm , claim that they
have a "better than Mozart" way to teach young babies about music, and
that Mozart's pieces are "too complex to be understood by a baby's
brain". Classical music has such a wealth of levels of understanding
and appreciation, from a regular listener to a professional musician,
that this argument is moot. Just because babies don't know about
musical terms and idioms, doesn't mean they can't enjoy full
renditions of wonderful masterpieces. And as they grow up and learn
about music, they will appreciate them even more. And perhaps being
familiar with music from an early age will contribute to better
understanding of it later. What did poor Johann Sebastian's and
Wolfgang Amadeus's parents ever do without this "scientifically
engineered" piece of hoopla?
Here are some pieces on my "goodnight" playlist for baby, and my
speaker has bass turned on to the max:
From J.S. Bach Gamba Sonatas played by Pieter Wispelwey:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00001NTJN/organfocuscom/
Largo (from BWV 1056)
From Piet Kee plays Bach and Buxtehude:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000000A46/organfocuscom/
O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig BWV618
Christe, du Lamm Gottes BWV619a
Christe, du Lamm Gottes BWV619b
Wir danken dir, Herr Jesu Christ BWV623
Hilf, Gott, saß mir's gelinge BWV624
Jesus Christus, unser Heiland, der den Tod ¨berwand BWV626
From Bach Edition Organ Works Vol. 2 played by Hans Fagius:
Allein Gott in der Hoeh, BWV662
Baby's sleep music needs to have certain characteristics, such as
moderate tempo and consistent volume throughout the piece. Many Bach
chorales are thus perfect for this.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Web News:
* Organ on Podcast: Keith Toth broadcasts from The Brick Church, NYC.
Thanks to Keith Toth who jumped on the new media wagon and brings us
music by distingushed organists on the church's new Guilbault-Thérien
organ and 118 rank Casavant Frères organ:
http://web.mac.com/keithstoth/iWeb/Site/Podcast/Podcast.html
* RIP Lucius Weathersby
I was saddened to learn about the untimely death of Dr. Weathersby in
March 2006. An organ activist and musician beloved by many, Lucius
Weathersby most recently recorded a CD on Hey Orgelbau organs to
benefit the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
To read more about Dr. Weathersby:
http://www.africanchorus.org/Artists/LRW.htm
To read about the Benefit CD:
http://www.organ-builders.com/benefit-cd.htm
* Virtuoso organ recital at the Tonbridge School, Tonbridge, UK on 2006-05-13
Robert Houssart performs. "This will be an exciting virtuoso concert
in a remarkable building and on a fine instrument. The concert is at
7.30 preceded by a drinks reception at the school at 6.30 which is
included in the ticket price of £12.50".
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=8411
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop is:
Grand Viol
http://www.organstops.org/g/GrandViol.html
Cheers,
Lana
Greetings!
** OrganFocus News:
New Links added.
* The Southeastern Historical Keyboard Society
Organization committed to the promotion of interest in and the study
of early keyboard instruments, principally harpsichord, clavichord,
fortepiano, and organ prior to 1860, and the music intended for these
instruments.
http://www.sehks.org
* Greater Hartford (CT) American Guild of Organists
Organ and choral concerts, master classes and special events of
interest to church musicians in the Greater Hartford, CT area.
http://hartfordago.blogspot.com/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Your opinion matters!
I am wondering whether it is time to open up organfocus-newsletter for
discussion and postings by list members. In the poll announcement
which will follow soon, you will have an opportunity to vote. The poll
will be open for two weeks.
Currently our group is an announcement-only list. This allows open
membership and anonymity since the members; email addresses are hidden
from view. If we become a discussion group, the member email addresses
will be visible to other members.
If the "yes" vote prevails, I am envisioning several changes. First,
the membership will no longer be open to discourage spammers. New
members will need to be approved by me. Second, while I hope the
discussion will stay centered on the material of the newsletters and
general organist news, I will not have the time to moderate this
group. If I see that inappropriate postings or flame wars start
appearing, I reserve the right to revert the group to an
announcement-only list.
Thank you! I am looking forward to hearing your opinions on this matter.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Brazilian organist Domitila Ballesteros was very kind to send me her book,
"Jeanne Demessieux's Six Éudes and the Piano Technique". Within the
framework of Jeanne Demessieux's Etudes and the organ scene in France,
this work explores the larger picture of the relationship between the
piano and the organ from the modern organists' point of view. Included
are many examples of printed music to illustrate Ms. Ballesteros's
points. Despite some unfortunate choices of words on the part of the
translators, such as "organ tubes", the book is interesting and
recommended reading for organists and pianists.
You can learn more about the book and its author, Domitila Ballesteros, here:
http://www.ballesteros.mus.br/livroindex.htmlhttp://www.ballesteros.mus.br/
Domitila Ballesteros is also active as a performer. Her organ recital
information is listed at OrganFocus.com here:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Ballesteros
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Mail from readers:
Colleen Hart writes:
Any organ builders out there who might be interested in a high standard of
living and lots of sunshine? Consider joining the oldest organbuilding firm
in South Africa, 'The Organ Builders' previously 'Cooper, Gill and Tomkins'
. Contact Colleen Hart at edgyhart@... if you are interested.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Web News:
* Philly's pipe dream comes true with new organ
"This baby can crank up the volume to bone-tingling effect."
An article about Kimmel Center's new Dobson organ that highlights the
activities surrounding the inauguration, including a novel way to
raise money and interest by allowing people to "pay to play": $25 for
one minute of tickling the pipes, $75 for five minutes, for everyone
who wished.
http://www.baltimoresun.com/entertainment/music/bal-ae.kimmel21may21,0,6469988.s\
tory?coll=bal-artslife-music
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Pipe organ saved from technology
"A 100-year-old pipe organ will undergo a £12,000 restoration after
the congregation of an Anglesey chapel decided to reject a modern
alternative. "
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/wales/north_west/4755481.stm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Grant to restore organ
Mudgee, Australia: "St John's Anglican Church has received a heritage
grant of $50,000 to restore its 1881 Brindley and Forster pipe organ
and to continue conservation work on the church. "
http://mudgee.yourguide.com.au/detail.asp?class=news&subclass=general&story_id=4\
84899&category=General&m=6&y=2006
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Interlochen teacher sells students on playing the forgotten pipe organ
"In the four years since becoming an organ instructor at Interlochen,
a prestigious boarding school and summer music camp in northern
Michigan, [Tom] Bara has taken on another role: salesman. Like many
professional organists, he is worried about the long-term prospects
for the organ."
http://www.freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060514/NEWS06/605140696/1008
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Discussion:
While browsing the Web I found Soundboard Records, a recording company
created by Colin Booth, harpsichordist and harpsichord maker in the
UK. Among listings of his CDs, (those look very intriguing and I think
I'll purchase one, "Dark Harpsichord Music") he has two articles which
I think will be of interest to my readers. "Is 'Early Music'
Emotional"? explores the question whether harpsichord music is for the
mind or can it move the soul. "Is the Harpsichord a politically
correct instrument?" is the saga of Colin Booth's attempts to
influence BBC programming to include more works performed on
harpsichord. As it stands right now, their programming is mostly of
symphonic music. I think this question is deeply relevant to organists
as well.
http://www.soundboard-records.co.uk/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop is:
Nonenkornett
http://www.organstops.org/n/Nonenkornett.html
Cheers,
Lana
P.S. Don't forget to vote!
Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the
organfocus-newsletter group:
Should we enable postings by list members on organfocus-newsletter?
* Doing so will make member email addresses visible to other members
o Yes
o No
To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organfocus-newsletter/surveys?id=2248003
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!
The following organfocus-newsletter poll is now closed. Here are the
final results:
POLL QUESTION: Should we enable postings by list members on
organfocus-newsletter?
* Doing so will make member email addresses visible to other members
CHOICES AND RESULTS
- Yes, 15 votes, 88.24%
- No, 2 votes, 11.76%
For more information about this group, please visit
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organfocus-newsletter
For help with Yahoo! Groups, please visit
http://help.yahoo.com/help/us/groups/
** OrganFocus News:
* By a landslide vote of 15 to 2, the group has been opened for
discussion and posts by members. Go forth and participate!
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/organfocus-newsletter/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The OrganFocus shop is temporarily closed due to a senseless
prohibition by Sony who does not want their products displayed on
Amazon associate sites. You may still use the SheetMusicPlus.com and
Amazon.com links to shop for organ recordings and organist books,
provided on the shop homepage. Stay tuned for updates about the shop.
http://www.organfocus.com/shop/
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* My teacher, Dr. William F. Entriken, is in Indiana University in
Bloomington this weekend, where he did his undergraduate degree. Dr.
Entriken will play a recital and accept a Distinguished Alumnus Award
from the University.
Dr. Entriken's latest recording, "A Small Wonder", is profiled here:
http://www.organfocus.com/features/sights-and-sounds/gluck-opus8.php3
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* List member Arthur LaMirande played a recital today to help restore
the Casavant at Basilica of Sts Peter and Paul, Lewiston, ME. Mr.
LaMirande's concert honored Bernard Piche, one of Lewiston's most
treasured musicians.
More about the Casavant:
http://www.casavant.ca/new_temp/anglais/History/Early/1588.pdf
More about Arthur LaMirande:
http://www.concertartist.info/bio/LAM001.html
His concert calendar at OrganFocus.com:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?keywords=Arthur+LaMirande
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* New Link - this was brought to my attention but is not added to the
directory. A site about beautiful young organist from Switzerland,
Anne Chasseur. She recorded her first Organ CD at the Great Organ of
N.-D. des Grâces, Brussels. I did not add it because it does not
contain music samples. Or am I wrong? Did I miss them?
http://www.annechasseur.ch
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Email from Readers:
I'm organist in Lutheran church in India. We have a pipe organ in our
church. Since past ten years it is not used due to the unavailability
of technical people to repair it. Is it possible for me to get some
support in this regard to repair the organ and to glorify the name of
our Lord Jesus Christ. kindly reply.
In Christ
dulipsingh
dulipsinghnesan@...
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
** Web News:
* "Will The Real Vatican Organist Please Stand Up?"
A curious story of Massimiliano Muzzi, represented by Philip
Truckenbrod Artists at that time, billing himself as the Vatican
organist--and the fallout that ensued.
http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/4627.html
and
http://www.playbillarts.com/news/article/4649.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* The American Theatre Organ Society (ATOS) at its annual convention
in Tampa in May officially designated the Wurliltzer pipe organ at the
Stadium Theatre Performing Arts Center an "historic instrument."
http://www.zwire.com/site/news.cfm?newsid=16831653&BRD=1712&PAG=461&dept_id=2436\
1&rfi=6
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* UMC organ recital focuses on 'Kid Stuff'
Featuring works for organ based on familiar childhood tunes, organist
Deborah Krauss Smith will play humorous arrangements of "Country
Gardens" and "Sailor's Hornpipe," as well as thoughtful settings of
"Jesus Loves Me" and "Kum Ba Yah."
http://www.themonroetimes.com/m0624org.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Organist william Moersen was a victim of childhood sexual abuse at
the Catholic church where he worked. Since confiding in the pastor of
that church, he has been terminated and is fighting this decision in
court (currently he lost his appeal). He has a new book out, "Organ
Lessons" about his abuse at St. Catherine Laboure Church in Wheaton,
MD. A preview the book can be downloaded for free at Lulu.com
http://www.lulu.com/content/94978
Read more about his court case:
http://washingtontimes.com/metro/20040527-103627-1473r.htm
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* New $20,000 Fellowship in Organ Performance
Faythe Freese writes:
Dear Colleagues and Students of the organ,
Greetings from the University of Alabama. We are proud to announce the
$20,000 Warren Hutton Fellowship in Organ Performance.
For more information, please visit these websites:
http://www.agohq.org/profession/indexjobs.html
and
http://www.music.ua.edu/organ/
The University of Alabama will be located in exhibit site #333 at the
ChicAGO 2006 National Convention, July 2-7, 2006. Come pay us a
visit.
Best Regards,
Faythe Freese, D.M.
Associate Professor of Organ
The University of Alabama
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Gordon goes west!
Gordon Stewart, 53, Kirklees Borough Organist for the past 17 years,
has taken up a post in the state of Colorado.
http://ichuddersfield.icnetwork.co.uk/0100news/0330features/tm_objectid=17205798\
&method=full&siteid=50060&headline=gordon-goes-west--name_page.html
-------------------------------------------------------------------------
* Today's Organ Stop is:
Gedacktquinte
http://www.organstops.org/g/Gedecktquinte.html
Cheers,
Lana
Greetings!
** Travel Log: Utah all over again
I have just returned from a business trip to Utah. My training was in
Orem and I stayed in a hotel in Provo. While in "organ country", I
arranged some practice time at BYU through Richard Elliott, the Mormon
Tabernacle organist. Professor Don Cook of BYU graciously let me have
the access code to the practice rooms (each room with an instrument is
prorected by a numeric keypad lock) and I spent a blissful several
hours playing three practice instruments. I would have wished to play
the Kenneth Jones teaching tracker, and was allowed, but someone else
was using it at the time. The organs I played were Bigelow, Wilhelm
and Coulter. (see the descriptions below).
http://www.organ.byu.edu/pracorg.html
The Bigelow, as the most popular organ with the students, clearly
showed signs of use and some ranks weren't in tune. Tonally it wasn't
anything exciting, but that suits its purpose as a practice organ
quite well. Then it was next to the Wilhelm - a sheer delight, clearly
being used less and in a better condition, with a powerful piercing
Regal which becomes enjoyable once the cabinet doors are closed. The
Coulter's specification puzzled me. It has just 2 stops in the pedal,
a very quiet 16' Bourdon, and a 8ft Quintadena. The only reed is a
Regal (again... somebody must like Regals over there). For playing
Bach chorales this combination proved impractical, unless I
misunderstood something. The Quintadena is too rich harmonically to
work with Regal, and using 8ft from the manual on pedal would result
in occasional loss of sound as they would share the same note.
The next evening, before my flight, I stopped by Temple Square in Salt
Lake City. The Tabernacle is still closed for renovation, and I went
to listen to a BYU junior student recital at the Assembly Hall. I was
touched as the organist's brother led the attendees in prayer for the
organist, Mark Spencer Campbell, to "let him perform to his good
abilities". Unfortunately the recital was not too great. He played
through Vierne Symphony no.2; The Allemande (variations on the melody
Bruynsmedelyn) by Scheidt was good, actually my favorite in the whole
recital. Mr. Campbell played with sensitive touch and refreshing
registrations. The JS Bach trio sonata # 6 was pretty bad - after
stumbling through the first 2 movements, the organist judiciously
omitted the third and plunged straight into Dupre Prelude and Fugue
op. 7 no 1.
http://elliottrl.tripod.com/ah/index.html
After the recital I made a quick run over to the Conference Center
where the Mormon Tabernacle Choir is now practicing, to listen a bit
and say "hi" to Richard Elliott. The Choir sounded wonderful, but I
only had a few minutes' time before having to take a cab to the
airport. Sadly, no one would let me come down and say hello, since
Richard Elliott was accompanying the Choir up on stage.
I love visiting Utah, this is already my second time there. Not only
is it a beutiful place, but each time I go, I try to tie my trip to
something "organic", and the people who make it happen are always
gracious and glad to provide opportunities for me to play.
==================================
** Seeking a CD
A reader wrote in asking whether anyone knows how to obtain Dorothy
Papadakos' CD, "Dorothy over the Rainbow". This CD is not available at
Amazon. I think I remember St. John the Divine used to sell it, but I
was unable to find any info on their website. Can you help?
==================================
On the lighter side...
** Heavy Nintendo on the Organ!
University of Florida graduate Harold Rodriguez recorded music from
Nintendo games and more on the organ. Follow the link to view the
video.
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=5442182124751353607&q=video+game+organ
==================================
Today's Organ Stop is:
Fan Tuba
http://www.organstops.org/f/FanTuba.html
Cheers,
Lana
You can now find a large organ grill covering fabric that is more
versatile: Far more aesthetic than GoM or others; better projection
surface, possible to hang in panels and capable of special visual
effects...and this fabric is affordable.
Acoustically translucent, visually textural and translucent (and
diffusive), hangs square, can be cut to geometric shapes, 14 colors.
Great for church and theater design. Check out: http://www.studio-
productions-inc.com/accoustical_home.html
Greetings!
** Please join me in sending prayers and good thoughts to composer
and organist Roman Krasnovsky, our member in Carmiel, Israel. Carmiel
is one of the cities that has been hit by Hezbollah missiles. Roman
lives there with his wife and young son. The nature of Roman's job
requires that he stays in Carmiel and is outside in the streets daily.
================================
** OrganFocus News:
New links added.
http://www.organfocus.com/links
* The Musical Box Society International is a non-profit organization
dedicated to the enjoyment, study and preservation of all automatic
musical instruments.
It has a wealth of information on all kinds of dance hall organs, with
pictures and sounds. Enjoy.
http://www.mbsi.org/index.php
----------------------------------------------------------------
* Kevin Komisaruk
Assistant Professor of Organ at the University of Toronto. Organist at
St. Mary Madgalene Church, Toronto (starting August 2006). Site
contains complete press materials, CV, and unedited sound files from
recent public performances and disc releases.
http://www.komisaruk.ca
----------------------------------------------------------------
* University of Arizona
B.M., B.A., M.M., D.M.A., Ph.D. offered. Faculty: Dr. Pamela Decker
http://web.cfa.arizona.edu/music/
================================
** Organ Study Tour to France with Faythe Freeze
Greetings from The University of Alabama! Our next organ tour is the
UA French Organ Study Tour scheduled for June 22-July 1, 2007. We
will visit historical organs at Poitiers, Souvigny, and Paris--in
particular, we will play and hear organs by famous builders such as
Cliquot and Cavaille-Coll. Some contemporary organs will also be
visited. Our tour plans to include visits to fabulous architectural
wonders such as Versailles, Notre Dame, Chartes, St. Sulpice, St.
Clotilde, St.Eustache, St. Trinite, St. Germaine des Pres, St.
Germain-en-Laye, St. Denis, St.Louis-des-Invalides and landmarks such
as the Eiffel Tower, the Arc de Triomph, Place de la Concord, La
Madeleine, the Opera, Place Vendome, Palais Royal, and Musee du
Louvre, to name a few. You will have free time to enjoy French
cuisine and Parisian sights and sounds.
More details including the early registration discount, and
application, can be obtained from Dr. Freeze at
Phone: (205) 348-3329
Email: ffreese@...
================================
** Web News:
* CMU ORGAN PROFESSOR STEVEN EGLER HONORS CHURCH MUSIC COMPOSER ON
LATEST RELEASE
"On his new compact disc set, a Central Michigan University faculty
member pays tribute to the unique musical styling of a premier organ,
choral and church music composer."
http://www.news.cmich.edu/news/index.asp?id=1428
----------------------------------------------------------------
* Concert Today Might Be Last in Tacoma for Church Organ
"The congregation is trading it for a smaller pipe organ from St.
John's Episcopal Church in Olympia, an instrument that will fit the
new First United Methodist space in a former storage facility on
Tacoma Avenue South. "
http://feed.insnews.org/v-cgi/feeds.cgi?feedid=150&story_id=2026661
----------------------------------------------------------------
* Modest Master
Organist Gordon Turk brings the beauty and variety of the instrument
to thousands of listeners at Ocean Grove's Great Auditorium.
http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060722/LIFE/607220395/1006/SHORE
----------------------------------------------------------------
* Malta: New pipe organ at St George's basilica
A new pipe organ of inestimable value was recently donated to St
George's Basilica by Dr Richard Vendome, an Oxford music scholar and
the Oxford Girls' Choir organist and founder.
http://www.timesofmalta.com/core/article.php?id=230838
----------------------------------------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop is:
Fugara
http://www.organstops.org/f/Fugara.html
Coming up: my travel log from Brattleboro, VT where I visited the
Estey Organ Museum.
Cheers,
Lana
Hello, fellow organists!
I just wanted to start a discussion on the topic of organ playing and
herniated discs. Are the two related? Any solid data on the
subject?
Just two days ago I had my operation, and now I am trying to figure
out what caused the injury in the first place. An organist friend,
who BTW also suffers from the same condition, just told me that this
trouble comes from practicing the organ; after all, all that sitting
on the hard bench, moving your feet and trying to get to the swell
manual that it placed way too high must be detrimental to one's
health. Just wanted to hear opinions of colleagues.
--- In organfocus-newsletter@yahoogroups.com, "Pavel Stetsenko"
<Paul@...> wrote:
>
> Hello, fellow organists!
>
> I just wanted to start a discussion on the topic of organ playing and
> herniated discs. Are the two related? Any solid data on the
> subject?
>
> Just two days ago I had my operation, and now I am trying to figure
> out what caused the injury in the first place. An organist friend,
> who BTW also suffers from the same condition, just told me that this
> trouble comes from practicing the organ; after all, all that sitting
> on the hard bench, moving your feet and trying to get to the swell
> manual that it placed way too high must be detrimental to one's
> health. Just wanted to hear opinions of colleagues.
One problem is that many organists sit too close to the console.
If the organist pushes the bench farther back, this makes for a much
more comfortable position, in my opinion. And as for reaching the
far-away Swell manual: try reaching the 5th manual on some large organs!
Of course: if the organist is in a situation where the organ bench can
NOT be pushed back, the issue becomes moot. The organist just has to
suffer. I encountered this at my recent (2-hour) recital at the
Basilica of St. Peter and St. Paul in Lewiston, Maine: the organ bench
was fixed into position with a fixed barrier directly behind it. I had
to play that whole recital from a very cramped and uncomfortable
position.
Some years ago I attended a masterclass given by a well-known English cathedral
organist
who counselled us to be very attentive to our posture at the console. The ideal
(where circumstances allow)
is to have the seat at a height where the heels can comfortably reach the pedals
and to sit far enough forward
on the seat to be at the point of balance. The position of the seat may need to
be adjusted to permit this.
The back should be kept as straight as possible, even when reaching forward to
the most distant manual.
It still sounds like good advice to me.
Good morning ~
When I was young and new to the organ,
I was given the same sound advice Howard Hill
has given. (Perhaps a UK standard ?)
Many organs in earlier times had no balanced
swell pedal ~ one needed to have good position
and control the 'heavier swell boxes' !
Also important not to spend one's time "hunched
over the console".
David Trott
-----Original Message-----
From: Howard Hill [mailto:howard@...]
Sent: 31 July 2006 10:07
To: organfocus-newsletter@yahoogroups.com
Subject: [organfocus-newsletter] Spinal injury and organ playing.
Some years ago I attended a masterclass given by a well-known English
cathedral organist
who counselled us to be very attentive to our posture at the console.
The ideal (where circumstances allow)
is to have the seat at a height where the heels can comfortably reach
the pedals and to sit far enough forward
on the seat to be at the point of balance. The position of the seat may
need to be adjusted to permit this.
The back should be kept as straight as possible, even when reaching
forward to the most distant manual.
It still sounds like good advice to me.
Comments? Suggestions? Email me at webmaster@...
Some longer links may be broken into 2 lines -- I try to prevent that
from happening, but if it does, make sure to paste the entire link into
your browser address bar.
Please forward this newsletter to a friend or a colleague.
------------
http://www.OrganFocus.com
Pipe organ event listings worldwide
Quick links:
* See all upcoming events:
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3
* Add your event:
http://www.organfocus.com/entry_form.php3
* Find sheet music for organ:
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/a/instru.html?id=74105&in=Organ
* Find organ music recordings and books for organists:
-- Books:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=organfocuscom&keyw
ord=organist&mode=books
-- CDs:
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/external-search?tag=organfocuscom&keyw
ord=organ%20works&mode=classical
Yahoo! Groups Links
Dear friends,
Now that we have opened the list up for discussion, please exercise
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can use the links at the bottom of each newsletter. You can also
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Thanks, and here's to growing pains,
Lana
I have been diagnosed with terminal cancer and must end my career as a church
organist. I
look forward to my next life, so please take my previous statement in that
LIGHT! However, I
am going to sell my organ music on eBay in order to help my wife and three
children still at
home and want this group to know about it in case anyone needs a certain item I
might still
have. As an example of what I am listing, please see eBay listing #190015173851
— the
complete 42 volume set of the Concordia Hymn Prelude Series. I also have the
Index to those
volumes listed. PLEASE TAKE A LOOK AT MY OTHER LISTINGS. I have other organ
music listed
and I will be adding more soon as I am able. I hope this blatant advertising
does not offend
anyone, but it's the truth and I do want the music to be used. Thanks! Peter
Dear friends,
This rule will be in place starting now regarding any ads you wish
to post to the list. Advertising in the newsletter is free of
charge. Please read and follow the rules below.
To advertise on *pipe organ* topics within the newsletter, please
send the text of the ad and contact information to list owner at
webmaster@... . The ads will appear in the organfocus-
newsletter which I will try to do weekly. If your ad is urgent or
time/sensitive, please let me know.
Ad messages not following this rule will be deleted and the author
banned.
Ad messages already posted to the list prior to August 1, 2006 will
stay.
This information now appears in all welcome messages and our group
homepage description.
Thank you,
Lana
Greetings!
* OrganFocus News:
** Sometime within the last two weeks I inadvertently broke the event
submission form, http://www.organfocus.com/entry_form.php3 . If you
entered any events and have not seen them live on the site or not
received the email notification, please enter them again. Apologies for
the inconvenience.
** Travel Log: Estey Organ Museum in Brattleboro, VT.
Upon closer examination of the Estey Organ Museum homepage,
http://www.esteyorganmuseum.org
I saw that visits "can be arranged upon request" (red link toward the
botom of the page). Ah-ha! I emailed John Carnahan at
carnahan@... , and two deays later we arrived to a personal tour
of the museum by a very enthusiastic and knowledgeable guide. The
museum is located in one of the old Estey Organ Factory buildings, and
is essentially one large room packed with all sorts of reed organs--
from very ornate exhibition models, to regular-issue home units which
the factory churned out at absolutely mind-boggling numbers, in days
before electricity. Children's organs, a grand piano, and even some
electronic Esteys which I had no idea existed. The host kindly let us
play the models that worked. I tried my hand at one model with the foot
pump pedals and found that it's a skill all its own - playing with the
hands while alternating a steady pumping rhythm with the feet to keep
the air going. The 19th-century sound come alive was somewhat
reminiscent of an accordion, but much more cultured. Without practice,
I couldn't keep going with the alternating feet and the organ wheezed
and sighed. But then I was invited to try the Style T with 2 manuals,
full pedalboard, and crank-operated bellows. In the first photo that's
me playing "Wachet Auf, Ruft Uns Die Stimme" BWV645. It was a lot of
fun for me and a lot of work for our guide! Eventually my husband took
over operating the crank. Style T has great sound and would make an
excellent practice organ. One thing I found uncomfortable was the
proportions. The manuals seemed too high--you can see it in the
picture. Turns out Style T's were built with almost 5 inches more
height between the pedals and the lower manual than the AGO standard.
You can read about the history and specifications of the Style T here:
http://www.reedsoc.org/ArticleArchive/gibson.htm
Aside from the strange proportions, I really enjoyed playing it. These
models are commonly fitted with blowers nowadays and thus have great
potential as practice or even small church organs.
And now, pictures:
http://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/eom1.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/eom2.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/eom3.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/eom4.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/eom5.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/eom6.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/eom7.jpghttp://www.organfocus.com/media/pictures/eom8.jpg
There is an Estey Style T available in South Orange, New Jersey. Here
is the info:
==ADVERTISEMENT=============================
Estey Type T reed organ, 2 manuals, pedal, self-
contained quiet vacuum motor. 10 stops plus full
couplers. Recently repaired and restored.
Beautiful oak case and bench. Best offer.
Buyer to pay for shipping. Call 973-761-4540 or
email at wayne_frank@....
=============================================
Wayne Bradford, the owner, also informed me that they will sell the
Estey or donate it to an institution that may want it. Please contact
him at the above coordinates.
--------------------------------------------
** David Moran is going to produce more of the "Heiller at Harvard" CD
set, and will update the big booklet with notes. A link to OrganFocus
page with Heiller student reminiscences by by George Klump, Franklin E.
Perkins, Marian Ruhl Metson, Yuko Hayashi, Stephen Roberts and Christa
Rakich will be included in the booklet.
http://www.organfocus.com/music/heilleratharvard.php3
I own this set (Mr. Moran kindly sent it to me for publishing the
student memories on the site) and Heiller's musicianship on the
recordings is magnificent. To me, there is no better rendition of
Bach's "Wedge" fugue than Anton Heiller's version.
=============================================
ADVERTISEMENTS
In no particular order, here are the ads received for publication since
the last newsletter.
*** Scott Lamlein Releases "The Organ At Worship" CD ***
Scott Lamlein announces the release of "The Organ At Worship," his
second solo CD, on the North Forty Road Music Productions label.
Recorded on the IV/73 1927 E.M. Skinner Organ at Wesley United
Methodist Church, in Worcester, MA, the disc includes organ works by
Bach, Brahms, Durufle, Shearing and Innes, in addition to Mr.
Lamlein's signature piece--the seldom-recorded "Organoedia ad missam
lectam" of Zoltan Kodaly (precursor of the "Missa Brevis").
To order, or for additional information, please visit
www.scottlamlein.com.
Scott Lamlein is represented as a concert artist by TIngrassia
Entertainment (www.tingentertainment.com; 508-277-6022).
submitted by:
Tom Ingrassia
thomasingrassia@...
************************************
************************************
*** Vermont Organ Academy releases new CD ***
Or new CD is here and in our bookstore. "The Aeolian-Skinner Legacy,
Vol. 3: Charles Callahan, George Markey, and William Watkins Play
Three Great Organs in Washington, D.C." is a 2-disc set with these
three great organists playing the Aeolian-Skinners at Church of The
Epiphany, Georgetown Presbyterian Church, and National Presbyterian
Church in live recordings made 1960-1985.
The set offers over two hours of that unmistakably wonderful Aeolian-
Skinner sound, played by three masters, with works by Jongen, Vierne,
Sowerby, Roger-Ducasse, Callahan, Lefebure-Wely, Willan, Handel, Bach,
Kodaly, Simonds and others. A 16-page booklet accompanies the CD, and
includes complete stoplists, photos, bios, and program notes by Charles
Callahan, one of the leading authorities on Aeolian-Skinner organs.
This CD is a real knockout, and is a must for all interested in great
organ playing and Aeolian-Skinner organs! Visit our website at
www.vermontorganacademy.com for more details. The site has been
recently updated, our store is now fully operational, and, three
recent Diapason interviews with William Teague (appearing here in its
original, unabridged version), Thomas Richner, and Nora Williams are
now on our "newsletter and articles" page (thanks to Jerome Butera and
The Diapason).
Lorenz Maycher
www.vermontorganacademy.com
************************************
************************************
*** Hard to Find Organ Music ***
Hello, members of Organ Focus.
Folks who are on the other organ lists know me, but I'm new to this one.
I've been living in Japan for 58 years teaching organ in the University
of Japan and acting as Curator and Staff Organist of the 1932 Wurlitzer
Organ in the Tokyo Mitsukoshi Department Store.
In 2002 my career was ended by a drunken motorcyclist, and I was
completely paralyzed. But thanks to God and a wonderful therapist I am
now able to perform again, although I'll never be able to handle the
big literature anymore.
I'm now permanently settled in a nursing-home, still rehabilitating.
But to while away the boring hours, I have been transcribing into new
editions, over 250 organ compositions. Many are of service music which
I played in church for years, but I have also made new editions of many
organ works which are no longer in print or are only available in
expensive collections. A Barenreiter or Peters volume costs $88 here
in Tokyo, and for students who want just to learn a fugue or toccata or
two, that's a lot of money.
In addition I have made many transcriptions of orchestral and band
music, along with lighter works which have been popular with the
customers of the department store, such as Sousa marches, the Can-Can
of Offenbach, Joplin rags etc, and some very well-received Japanese
melodies, unknown in the West, but beautiful music.
I am hoping to be able to make this music available at very reasonable
prices. All are engraved with the latest music-writing software and
are printed on extra-heavy paper for long life.
I have put my catalogue into pdf form and will be glad to email it to
any organists are interested.
If you wish a copy, just send an e-mail to:
vcsorgan@...
I apologize for this blatant advertising, but not only will my catalog
provide many interesting works that can no longer be obtained
commercially, it will make life a bit easier financially for me.
I know organists are always seeking new repertoire, and I hope my
project will prove valuable to you.
Sincerely,
Victor C. Searle, M.Mus
University of Japan (retired)
************************************
************************************
----------------------------------------
Today's Organ Stop is:
Greetings!
*** OrganFocus News:
New links added.
** Orgel Ekeren
Website of the Forceville-organ (1711) in Ekeren, Antwerp, Belgium
http://www.orgelekeren.be/
** MPR PipeDreams Calendar
Link submitted by Michael Barone, the page represents a comprehensive
listing of organ events in Minnesota (and adjacent border areas)
http://www.pipedreams.org/calendar
=========================
*** Web News:
** Future for Pipe Organs secure in Europe
In a post from March 2006 (
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/organfocus-newsletter/message/50
) I wrote about a new European Union law about lead in products with
electrical components, which would undermine the pipe organ building
trade. Through action on the part of organ-biulders, petitions and
rallying the international organ community, the law has been amended
to pose no threat to pipe organs in Europe. The site Pipes For Organs
provides the details.
http://www.pipesfororgans.org
** Researchers find Bach's oldest manuscripts
"WEIMAR, Germany - The oldest known manuscripts of Johann Sebastian
Bach — handwritten copies of works by two other composers — have been
discovered in a library that was heavily damaged in a fire two years
ago"
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14602322/
** Cathedral of the Madeleine hosts Organ Festival
"This year's festival begins with a performance by Rachel Laurin, a
noted composer and improvisation teacher."
http://www.sltrib.com/arts/ci_4243832
** Choir in Appeal to Find New Organ
"A Dutch choir about to sing at York Minster is appealing for help to
find a new instrument."
http://www.yorkshiretoday.co.uk/ViewArticle2.aspx?SectionID=1084&ArticleID=17288\
04
** Healesville piano man creates organ haven
CHINA: "Thanks to a retired Chinese-Australian piano teacher who has
lived in Healesville for 33 years, Gulangyu also has Asia's biggest
piano museum and will soon host the world's largest pipe organ
museum."
http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/healesville-piano-man-creates-organ-haven/20\
06/08/18/1155408020632.html
** Trudy Pitts: Meeting the Next Keyboard Challenge
"On September 15, 2006, Trudy Pitts will have the distinction of being
the first jazz musician to perform on the spectacular new organ in
Verizon Hall, at the Kimmel Center for the Performing Arts in
Philadelphia, in a concert opposite the great singer Nancy Wilson. "
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=22852
By the way, Allaboutjazz.com has many other articles about the Kimmel
Center organ, such as this profile:
http://www.allaboutjazz.com/php/article.php?id=18420
Mervon Mehta, the Kimmel's Vice-President in charge of Programming,
has been actively promoting jazz using the Dobson organ, provided
that a jazz musician brave enough to play it comes forth. Type "kimmel
organ" into the site search box to see more articles.
=========================
Today's Organ Stop is:
Trompeta Magna
http://www.organstops.org/t/TrompetaMagna.html
Cheers,
Lana
Greetings!
** OrganFocus News:
* New link in Church Musician Resources:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=22
PraiseBuildings.com -- a large directory of services useful to
religious insitutions.
"From architects to web designers, we have everything you need to help
your house of worship prosper"
http://www.praisebuildings.com/
=========================
** Select Events:
* Aivars Kalejs at Cathedral of the Incarnation, Garden City, NY
Sept.29 at 20:00 -- today!
Latvian organist Aivars Kalejs is the composer of the scintillating
Toccata on 'Allein Gott in de Hoh sei Ehr', introduced to us
brilliantly by his compatriot Iveta Apkalna.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=8872
* Ruffatti Pipe Organ Dedication at Friendship Missionary Baptist
Church -- this is the largest pipe organ in an African-American
church. Recital played by R. Monty Bennett.
Nov. 18 at 18:00
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=8846
* Organ Crawl -- New York and Pennsylvania
The Chemung Valley Chapter of the American Guild of Organists invites you to an
organ crawl to Athens, PA, Binghamton, Owego, and Waverly, NY.
Oct. 21.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=8846
=========================
** Web News:
* Pipe organ provides crown jewel for Ball State's world-class music venue
"Ball State is installing the crown jewel to its world-class Music
Instruction Building"
http://www.bsu.edu/news/article/0,1370,43969--,00.html
* Church celebrates
"EXETER -- After 14 months, renovations and installation of the new
pipe organ at Christ Church are complete."
http://www.seacoastonline.com/news/exeter/09152006/nhnews-x-ex-church0915.html
* Organist Christie to Commemorate Death of Dietrich Buxtehude With
Concert Series
"James David Christie will present the complete organ works of
Dietrich Buxtehude in a cycle of eight concerts to commemorate the
300th anniversary of the composer's death."
http://www.holycross.edu/publicaffairs/features/2006-2007/christie_buxtehude
* 'Nosferatu' haunts audience with live organist
"About 950 people nearly filled the vaudeville era Long Center Theater
to be transported back to a time period when live music accompanied
the movies. "
http://www.purdueexponent.com/?module=article&story_id=1798
* A Horse Show Organist?
Yes, this breed exists:
http://www.blandcountynews.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=BCM/MGArticle/BCM_Basi\
cArticle&c=MGArticle&cid=1149190724402
=========================
** Advertisements **
** 20% Off all G. Shirmer music titles at SheetMusicPlus.com!
http://www.sheetmusicplus.com/a/featured.html?id=74105
Sale ends October 5, 2006.
See this and more sheet music titles at
http://www.organfocus.com/shop
------------------------------------------
** Free Estey to a good home
Know anyone looking for a 2-manual and pedal Estey reed organ? It
comeswith a blower and is in decent playing condition except for an
occasional dead note and some cyphers in the pedal (which is sort of
concave-radiating). Located in Merrimac, MA - haul it away and it's
yours (the house it's in is for sale).
Stoplist is:
Great: Clarinett 16'. Open Diapason 8', Dulciana 8', Trumpet 8'
Swell: Salicional 8', Voix Celeste 8'. Oboe 8', Flute 4', Tremolo
Pedal: Bourdon 16'. Dulciana 16'
Sw-Ped, Gt-Ped, Sw-Gt
Reply to owenbar@... for contact info.
------------------------------------------
** Arthur LaMirande has a new CD available:
A new CD of some of my past performances is now available for $25 postpaid.
1. Sept. 9, 2001 performance at the National Cathedral, Washington DC
a. Georg Trexler: Meditations on Themes from the Te Deum of Bruckner (1967)
b. Edouard Commette: three excerpts from Quatorze Pieces Breves*
c. Franz Schmidt: Chaconne
2. Historic recital of April 20, 1980, Church of the Holy Name of
Jesus, New York City, with Wagnerian soprano Virginia Brobyn.
a. Robert Carwithen: Psalm 23: The Lord is My Shepherd
b. Richard Wagner: Three excerpts from the Wesendonck Songs: Der
Engel (The Angel), Schmerze (Tears), Traume (Dreams).
The Washington performance was on the E.M. Skinner organ (with later
additions). I now understand that this historic organ is to be
replaced.
The Holy Name performance was on the historic 1938 77-rank
Whitelegg-Moller (then under restoration). One of the few major
extant examples of Whitelegg's work.
*The third piece is a fantasy on the French Christmas carol "Il est
ne, le divin enfant".
Contact: alamirande2001@...
------------------------------------------
** US Debut for Vic Searle's music
I am happy to announce that music from my catalogue of 275 organ
transcriptions will be published by Frog Music.
The first issue is of three lovely Japanese melodies which have been
quite popular with audiences at the International Organ Festival in
San Diego's Balboa Park, on the Spreckels Organ.
1. Lullabye of Itsuki, often sung around July 7 when the souls of
one's ancestors return to earth for a few days.
2. Moon over a Ruined Castle--an atmospheric piece, arranged by the
light of the moon while sitting on a rock in the midst of the ruins
of the Aoba Castle in Sendai, northern Japan.
3. Song of the Beach, very Westernized in harmony and melody, not
particularly Oriental, but a lovely tune.
If you are fortunate to have a MIDI sound module on your organ, you
may find the sounds of the koto, samisen and shakuhachi native
instruments which will increase the effectiveness of your
presentation. But a good Doppleflute and Harp will do also.
The preview of the book may be found at
http://www.lulu.com/content/362186
If you are interested in this work or my many other transcriptions
I can be contacted at:
vcsorgan@...
Hope you will enjoy the works I have done over the past 42 years.
Vic Searle in Tokyo.
------------------------------------------
* Franciscan Monastery of the Holy Land to Host Saturdays at the Monastery
Washington, DC – (September 2006). Beginning September 23, 2006, a new
recital series will feature the glorious sounds of the Franciscan
Monastery's Lively-Fulcher pipe organ, as played by some the
Washington area's finest organists. Saturdays at the Monastery is a
free, 45 minute recital series that will begin at noon on the 2nd and
4th Saturdays of the month.
For more information call 202-526-6800, or visit www.myfranciscan.org
=========================
Today's Organ Stop is:
Sept-Terz
http://www.organstops.org/t/TerzSepta.html
Cheers,
Lana
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