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
caution in your messages to the list. If you need to unsubscribe, you
can use the links at the bottom of each newsletter. You can also
unsubscribe at the newsletter homepage,
http://launch.groups.yahoo.com/group/organfocus-newsletter/
or by emailing organfocus-newsletter-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com
If you have a Yahoo! groups ID, you can also edit your subscription
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Please do not post messages regarding your subscription status to the
entire list.
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
Minako Tsukatani, organ and Marian Jaspers Fayer, flute recorded a cd in
the Bonifaciuskerk in Medemblik, Holland.
On the cd a World premiere, the "twee miniaturen voor fluit en orgel"
composed by Minako Tsukatani.
The Japanese organist Minako Tsukatani studied musicology at the
University for Fine Arts in Tokyo. After graduating in 1995 she
continued her studies at the Conservatory of Amsterdam with Jacques van
Oortmerssen. In 2001 she also went on to study with Jean Boyer at the
Conservatoire Supérieure in Lyon, France.
In 2002 she completed her first degree and entered the post-graduate
program.
We went on to study at the Royal Conservatory in the Hague with Jos van
der Kooy where she completed her studies in 2005 with a second degree.
Minako also does improvisation techniques and composition . In her
improvisations and compositions she incorporates elements of traditional
Japanese music. Minako has given concerts in Japan, Norway and in
Holland.
Marian Jaspers Fayer (Amsterdam 1957) began her music studies at the
University of California Dominguez Hills. In 1977 she returned to
Holland to continue her studies at the Sweelink Conservatory in
Amsterdam with Pieter Odé. She recieved her Performance degree in
1983 and a year later her degree for Chamber Music. Besides teaching
Marian also plays regularly with different chamber music ensembles. She
nows plays with the flute quartet Quartetto Sereno, flute and harp duo
Orfeato and also frequently plays duo concerts with guitar, organ and
piano.
See (and hear): www.bonifaciuskerkmedemblik.nl/orgels
<http://www.bonifaciuskerkmedemblik.nl/orgels>
Rob van der Heijden
[Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
I am looking an Organist that knows some things about organs I have
questions about . I am also looking for Organ and theater organ mp3s I
am also looking for chimes and carillon mp3s. I am looking for an
Organist friend that I can talk to at any time if you can talk to me
please e-mail me at both chanchan79@... and
channinga@...
My messenger ids are:
MSN messenger: channinga@...
YAHOO messenger: channing28270@...
AOL messenger: channingashbaugh@...
I am on AOL and MSN messengers the most.
Channing
Greetings!
I have been made aware of an email scam that apparently takes
information from our organist listing on
http://www.organfocus.com/contents.php3 .
If you receive the email that looks like the email below, please do
not call any numbers listed on it. It is a scam and not originating at
OrganFocus.com.
Thank you for your attention.
Lana
====
Here is what the scam looks like:
DEAR FRIEND,
I am 62 yrs old Business man, I have once been an organist, I
Played Pipe organ, Mouth organ and Piano,
I came across your profile on this website
etc...
Greetings!
It's been a while and I apologize for the long silence. I have been
busy with my secular job search and finally started my new job at a
great dot-com company. During my first week, I had to fly to Seattle,
WA for training. Of course, the trip to the Pacific Northwest wouldn't
be complete without some organ experiences!
I was in luck. During my stay in Seattle, Diane Meredith Belcher was
to give her debut at Seattle Symphony's beautiful Watjen organ built
by C.B. Fisk. You can see the program and read program notes here:
http://www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/buy/single/production.aspx?id=3507&src=t
How thrilling it was! My favorite was Guilain: Suite on the Second
Tone from Pieces for the Magnificat. With authentic sounds and pungent
harmonies, I was transported far away and wished the music would just
keep on flowing forth.
My purchased seat was in the Orchestra Center, but probably a bit too
close to the stage. I felt at times that some really deep and powerful
sounds were floating over me and not through me. I was right--after
the intermission, I moved further back, to where in my estimate the
sounds should be converging. And the Liszt "Ad nos, ad salutarem
undam" rumbled and shook the house! The Watjen possesses some powerful
voices, to be sure. The acoustics in the hall are very favorable,
especially if you sit toward the end and center.
Here is the stop list:
http://www.cbfisk.com/fisk_files/organs/op114_01.html
On my last morning in Seattle, I got the chance to visit and play the
organ at St. James Cathedral. I arranged the visit with the Cathedral
organist, Joseph Adam, to whom I am very grateful for the experience.
I came in, suitcase in tow, and Mr. Adam was most welcoming. The East
Apse 2000 Rosales organ was just marvelous, and Mr. Adam explained how
one console provides control for both the Rosales and the historic
1907 Hutchings-Votey located across the Cathedral in the West Gallery.
Separated by almost 100 years and many, many feet (the delay and the
reverb are something special!), the two organs actually work very well
together. I had 45 minutes all to myself to play and experiment, pure
bliss even though I didn't bring any music or organ shoes. How dearly
have I missed being able to do this!
Mr. Adam also gave me his lovely "L'Organist Parisien" CD, recorded at
the Cathedral.
Back home, as I was practicing my harpsichord, I had a revelation
(probably too loud a word, but it felt like one). The WTC prelude in
B-flat major, #21 in Vol. 2, would make a great show piece that's
super easy in the pedal and would wow your audience! I imagined it so
clearly: the first part played lightly on manual 1, with a silvery
sound, traipsing aroung the harmonies, until it comes tumbling down to
a sudden low pedal D at full chorus. Jolt! Then, continue on manual 2
with full chorus, those marvelous chords and recitative, using the
pedal to support the bass, and stay on the full sound until the end.
The dancing 3-voice fugue would sound great on the organ as wel,
although playing the lower voice on the pedals requires agility and
much practice. I am using it as a challenge to myself to get back into
shape.
Tim Smith's analysis of the fugue:
http://jan.ucc.nau.edu/~tas3/wtc/i21.html
I would love to hear your thoughts on this.
=============================
Event Update:
The Ruffatti Organ Dedication at Friendship Missionary Baptist Church
by R. Monty Bennett has been moved to November 17 atn 7 p.m. Please
make a note of it.
http://www.organfocus.com/search.php3?eventID=8846
=============================
YouTube now has quite a collection of interesting organ videos. But
today, I found this: playing Pachelbel on a Hydraulophone. If you ever
dreamed of playing music while in the shower, you will enjoy this.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgU0OZkGhGI&mode=related&search=
=============================
Today's Organ Stop is:
Hedeiaphone
http://www.organstops.org/h/Hedeiaphone.html
Cheers,
Lana
----- Original Message -----
From: "A.Peitz" <Alfons.Peitz@...>
To: <kantorat.nordbaden@...>
Sent: Tuesday, November 14, 2006 12:22 PM
Subject: Fw: Johannes Mathias Michel
> Für Herrn Michel,
> Information über ein Orgelkonzert in Seatle mit Werken von Herrn Michel.
> Die untenstehende Mail ging an die Kirchenmusikliste.
> Viele Grüsse!
> Peitz,Rastatt
>
>
>> Hallo,
>> beim Stöbern im Internet fand ich eine Notiz zu einem Konzert in Seatle.
>> Vielleicht ein Hinweis für die, die sich mit ähnlicher Musik befassen
>> (wahrscheinlich wissen die schon Bescheid). Ich habe die Beschreibung der
>> drei Choral Preludes zusammen mit der Adresse reinkopiert. Viel
>> Vergnügen!
>>
>>
>>
http://www.seattlesymphony.org/symphony/buy/single/programnotes.aspx?id=3507&src\
=t
>>
>> The vernacular has always found its way into music of the church. Since
>> the 1960s, gospel, jazz and pop have been used in the song repertoire of
>> the modern church. A particularly successful marriage of the traditional
>> and contemporary are to be found in the Choral Preludes of Johannes
>> Matthias Michel (b. 1962), as in his Organ, Timbrel and Dance, Three Jazz
>> Organ Preludes. The composer himself is music director of the Christus
>> Kirche in Mannheim, Germany, where it is still the tradition to improvise
>> preludes on the appointed chorales. Using three traditional Lutheran
>> chorales as the cantus firmus, the daring treatments are in various jazz
>> styles. Swing Five, with its walking bass line, seems inspired by Duke
>> Ellington. The second movement, Bossa Nova, is reminiscent of Antonio
>> Carlos Jobim, whereas the last movement is a boisterous tribute to
>> Leonard Bernstein's West Side Story.
>>
>> Gruss, Alfons
>>
>> vernacular = Landes-, Muttersprache, einheimisch, muttersprachlich
>> timbrel = An ancient percussion instrument similar to a tambourine
>> (http://www.thefreedictionary.com/timbrel)
>
>
[A.I.O.C. - Associazione Italiana Organisti di Chiesa]
* * *
oggetto:
il nuovo arciprete di S. Pietro in Vaticano e tutti gli organisti della
Basilica
Cari Lettori,
la recentissima nomina del nuovo Arciprete della Basilica di San Pietro
in Vaticano nella persona dell’Arcivescovo Angelo Comastri, che
Benedetto XVI ha scelto lo scorso martedì 31 ottobre in sostituzione
del Cardinale Francesco Marchisano, ci dà occasione per portarVi a
conoscenza l'organico ufficiale degli organisti in servizio presso la
Basilica e, in particolare, di una delicata questione che ha suscitato,
nell'ambiente organistico ed ecclesiastico, un certo scandalo a livello
internazionale qualche mese fa, quando un collega organista, ha voluto
rappresentarsi nella falsa veste di Organista Pontificio per le messe
private di S.S. il Papa Benedetto XVI, oltre a quelle celebrate nella
Patriarcale Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano: tale figura di
organista privato del Papa non solo non esiste al momento, ma non è mai
esistita e, storicamente, non è stata mai prevista da nessun organico
pontificio.
L'Associazione Italiana Organisti di Chiesa deplora la condotta
inqualificabile del musicista, che mediante l'utilizzo di falsa
certificazione allo scopo di ottenere vantaggi personali, ha, per
effetto, riflesso una luce negativa sulla figura di tutti gli organisti
di chiesa italiani.
Contemporaneamente l'A.I.O.C. manifesta la propria solidarietà a tutti
gli organisti ufficialmente nominati che prestano diuturno servizio
nella Patriarcale Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano, ovvero:
- Maestro James Edward Goettsche, organista titolare della Patriarcale
Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano nominato dal Capitolo della
medesima Basilica di San Pietro in Vaticano e organista per le
Celebrazioni liturgiche del Sommo Pontefice.
- Maestro Gianluca Libertucci, organista nella Patriarcale Basilica di
San Pietro per il Vicariato della Città del Vaticano e organista
sostituto per le Celebrazioni liturgiche del Sommo Pontefice.
- Maestro Aurelio Porfiri, organista sostituto nella Patriarcale
Basilica di San Pietro per il Vicariato della Città del Vaticano.
- Maestro Padre Vittorino Serrao O.F.M., organista sostituto nella
Patriarcale Basilica di San Pietro per il Vicariato della Città del
Vaticano.
- Maestro Fabio Avolio, organista sostituto nella Patriarcale Basilica
di San Pietro per il Vicariato della Città del Vaticano.
Per evitare il ripetersi di analoghe incresciose situazioni
l'Associazione Italiana Organisti di Chiesa auspica che i Responsabili
delle chiese prendano in seria considerazione l’opportunità di
rilasciare un’idonea certificazione dei servizi musicali prestati da
parte dei nostri soci e colleghi organisti, secondo una precisa
modulistica di base che l'A.I.O.C., ben volentieri, si presta ad
elaborare in collaborazione con i detti Responsabili, al fine di
tutelare il profilo ministeriale, giuridico ed economico della figura
professionale dell’Organista di Chiesa.
Renato Negri, presidente
Paolo Bottini, segretario
* * *
ASSOCIAZIONE ITALIANA ORGANISTI DI CHIESA
via Emilia all'Ospizio n.62 - 42100 REGGIO nell'EMILIA
tel. 0522.555.392; fax 0523.82.56.17
Renato Negri, Presidente (cell. 339/3940620)
Paolo Bottini, Segretario (cell. 328/8123619)
conto corrente postale n. 10485423
sito internet http://www.organisti.it
p.e.: info@...
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Mandaci il tuo parere riguardo la nuovissima
CARTA DEGLI ORGANISTI: diritti e doveri dei musicisti di chiesa
http://www.organisti.it/carta_organisti.htm
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hello, gang!
It's me again...
Need help. Does anyone have a copy of Louis Couperin's Chaconne in g
minor (there are two of them, the one I need begins with a d-minor
chord on the upbeat, goes to B-flat major chord on the downbeat, then
to E-flat major and so forth. A rather startling and effective piece.)
Poor me, I have just scheduled it for the Bach-and-pre-Bach Marathon in
Washington DC, but misplaced my copy. I used to play it often from
memory, so I almost never bothered to keep track of the music. This
time, for some reason all I can remember is that repeating rondo part.
Stupid, I know...
If anyone has a copy and is willing to share a PDF version of it, I'd
be eternally grateful.
Cheers!
Paul
Greetings!
Yes, I am still here. Apologies for the long silence.
During the last couple of months, I have been to two very enjoyable
organ recitals. The first was Stephen Tharp at St. Ignatius Loyola,
Jan 10. Complete program is listed here:
http://www.saintignatiusloyola.org/concerts/organ_home.07.html#jan10
The recital started off with the Toccata by David Aprahamian Liddle.
This was the first time I had heard his music, and I can't say I was
impressed. Maybe it was the combination of the excellent reverb at
St. Ignatius and the high speed at which Mr. Tharp launched into the
Toccata, but for a while I had trouble even deciphering the motif.
When I did understand the musical intention, I realized that it
wasn't very interesting harmonically and otherwise. The piece got a
lukewarm reception from the audience. I am, however, going to give
the composer the benefit of the doubt and look at his other music on
the site, which I invite you to do as well.
http://www.davidliddle.org/Op3.htmhttp://www.davidliddle.org/compositions.htm
The rest of the recital was superb. I particularly enjoyed the music
of Jeanne Demessieux, which I also hadn't heard before. The two
Meditations were sublime--Demessieux deftly translated water and
light into music, and Mr. Tharp's playing was transcendent.
Listening to this, I remembered Brazilian organist Domitila
Ballesteros and her informative book, Jeanne Demessieux's Six Études
and the Piano Technique. Read more about the organist and the book at
her website:
http://www.ballesteros.mus.brhttp://www.ballesteros.mus.br/book.html
The other piece that stands out in memory two months later is the
Variations-Etudes sur une berceuse by Rolande Falcinelli.
Unfortunately I have misplaced the program notes, but I remember that
she took a simple lullaby and gave it fresh, exotic treatment which
was highly enjoyable. I applaud Mr. Tharp for acquainting us with
lovely new music alongside the classics of organ literature.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rolande_Falcinelli
Review of the second recital, by Arthur LaMirande, to come in part
two of this weekend special, later today.
==========================================
** OrganFocus News:
* New Links:
In Great Music Links:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=23
Olivier Messiaen site: The site includes a comprehensive database of
works by Olivier Messiaen and audio/visual resources as well as an up
to date listing of concerts, events and reviews.
[Editor's note: The web design and navigation needs major
improvement, but the information contained within is very interesting
and it's clearly a labor of love.]
http://www.oliviermessiaen.org/messiaen2index.htm
In Software:
http://www.organfocus.com/links/index.php?CID=18
Java Microtuning Organ (JMTOrgan)
This easy-to-use program provides musicians the experience of playing
keyboard instruments in historical temperaments and at historical
pitches.
http://www.geocities.com/jeroendonkers/JMTOrgan/
[Editor's note: I have listened to the examples provided of various
temperaments and was blown away.]
In OrganBulders:
Neiland Organs
Neiland Organs is one of the foremost companies in 21st century
Ireland carrying out the sympathetic restoration of historic pipe
organs and also rebuilding instruments where necessity and expediency
require it.
http://www.neilandorgans.com/
In Personal Pages:
Jordan, Jeannine, DMA
Pro-Motion Music: Dr. Jeannine Jordan, concert organist, is devoted
to the promotion of the organ and its music
http://www.promotionmusic.org/
[Editor's note: Dr. Jordan offers a number of intriguing workshop
programs, for both old and young.]
* Correction: David Moran, producer of the Heiller at Harvard CDs,
sent in a corrected version of Christa Rackich's recollections about
Heiller. Read this and more here:
http://www.organfocus.com/music/heilleratharvard.php3
** Web News:
* Ranks of church organists dwindling
(includes video)
http://www.pe.com/localnews/inland/stories/PE_News_Local_H_organist28.
40f286d.html
* Silent No More
"Understanding the almost-lost art of silent-film music with
organists Chris Elliott and Dennis James"
http://www.metroactive.com/metro/02.28.07/silent-film-music-0709.html
* 'Pied Piper of the Pipe Organ' draws in crowd with playing
"Part music lesson, part recital, part spirited lecture, Cj Sambach's
Pipe Organ Informance captivated a crowd of just over 100 people
Sunday afternoon."
http://www.gtherald.com/herald/2007/feb/14organ.htm
* Pipe organs in car commercials? You bet. Here is a clip from Acura,
featuring a Casavant being tuned.
http://www.acura.com/index.aspx?initPath=TL_Explore_PhotoVideoGallery!
type:video|num:2|prefix:tls
Complete thread on OrganForum:
http://organforum.com/forums/thread/29275.aspx
Interestingly, I have just discovered a site for Acura Casavant car
dealership, located in St. Hyacinthe, Quebec.
http://www.acuracasavant.com
Connection?
Cheers,
Lana
Greetings!
On Feb. 18, I went to listen to Arthur LaMirande's recital at All
Saints Church (Park Slope). I have been waiting for an opportunity to
hear him live for some time, as Mr. LaMirande and I have been in
communication for several years at this point.
The organ at All Saints is not a concert instrument by far: 2
manuals, about 25 ranks (maker unknown but suspected Delaware), and
in the words of the artist, with "the most clumsy and cumbersome
combination action system I've ever seen in my life". In his
foreword, All Saints organist Roger Castellani, even mentioned the
combination system as a source of woes. Mr. LaMirande, however,
attempted a full concert program, the execution of which was a
witness to his ingenuity. In my opinion, the organ also possesses
some really good voices and projects well into the room. The program
was as follows:
1. Cesar Franck: Prelude, Fugue and Variation
2. Louis Vierne: Triptyque
3. Vernon Murgatroyd: Meditation on the Gregorian chant for the Feast
of the Assumption of the Virgin Mary
4. Bernard Piche': Hymn of Prais to the Blessed Marguerite Bourgeois
Intermission
5. J.S. Bach: Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland (from the Leipzig Chorales)
Wachtet Auf, ruft uns die Stimme (from the Schuebler Chorales)
6. Franz Schmidt: Two Chorale-Preludes
7. Jean Langlais: Trois Meditations sur la Sainte Trinite'
8. Bernard Piche': Postlude de Noel
Franck started and went on in a rather pedestrian fashion, and was
marred by the necessity to change stops manually mid-sentence. This
interrupted the flow of music on occasion.
With Vierne, Mr. LaMirande had presented thoughtful and masterful
playing. I very much enjoyed the Matines and Communion, and the
poignant Stele pour en enfant defunt brought me to tears.
Vernon Murgatroyd's Meditation was harmonically interesting and
pleasurable to listen to in the hands of Mr. LaMirande, who champions
the music of Canadian composers among others.
Canadian Bernard Piche's Hymn was brilliant, redolent of the French
school (he had studied with Tournemire) and a great concert piece.
Again, the challenges experienced in Franck with the unwieldy
combination action were inaudible this time. Mr. LaMirande played
with intellectual and spiritual passion, and strong execution.
The momentum of the first part of the recital was lost after the
intermission. Bach's Nun komm had too much rubato. Wachet Auf was on
the slow and softer side, and Mr. LaMirande's insistence on playing
the repeating line in the right hand using two different
registrations worked against him as he needed to flip switches back
and forth while playing the introduction. Music did not flow but went
in fits and starts. One of the concertgoers who nodded off during the
introduction woke up with a start once the cantus firmus came in,
which I suppose was true to the hymn's purpose!
After Bach, however, Mr. LaMirande again settled into a comfortable
zone with Schmidt, Langlais and another Piche' piece (in my opinion
not as effective as the first one). I thoroughly enjoyed getting
acquainted with so much new music, played with authority by Mr.
LaMirande.
Last week I have had the pleasure of lunch with the artist. If there
was one word I could characterize him with it would be "intense".
Possessed of an explosive character, knowing him and attending his
recitals is not for the faint-of-heart or casual listeners. Mr.
LaMirande can be bitter, negative, vindictive, and a number of other
unflattering adjectives. But at the same time, I admire his musical
depth and am glad he is around to play music that reaches the soul.
Please visit Mr. LaMirande's homepage at:
http://www.concertartist.info/bio/LAM001.html
Have a great week,
Lana
Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the
organfocus-newsletter group:
How often do you plan your vacations around visiting pipe organs or seek out
organs to play while on vacation?
o Always
o Most of the time
o Sometimes
o Never
o Vacation? What vacation?
To vote, please visit the following web page:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/organfocus-newsletter/surveys?id=2457070
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!
Hi All ...........
I wish to extend an invivation to all of you to attend the Third
American Classic Organ Symposium in Salt Lake City begining on
Wednesday April 18, 2007. The symposium continues until Sunday April
22, 2007. Featured will be the recently reopened Mormon Tabernacle
with its five manual 206 ranks Aeolian-Skinner, the five manual 130
ranks Schoenstein organ located in the LDS Conference Center, Gillian
Weir, Ken Cowan, lectures on related subjects (I am one of the
presenters). For more information please go to
www.mormontabernaclechoir.org/acos
That should give you as much or more information than you ever wanted
to know about this great event.
With warm regards,
Bill Hesterman
Enter your vote today! A new poll has been created for the
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Thanks!
Hello Folks,
Wondering if anyone out there has a copy of the unpublished transcription by
Jeanne Demessieux of Liszt's Les Funerailles.
I thought I had a good lead, but unfortunately that did not pan out. So now I
ask for your help!
If it is inconvenient to send a PDF, let me know and I will send you the cost
of postage.
With thanks,
Gregory.
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