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I oft heardtheterm "Floating Division"; but am somewhat mystified astowhat it is, or how it would be implemented.
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2008: Phoenix III/44 -
Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
A "Floating Division" is a group of stops that can be connected to any of several keyboards. In this manner the floating division can either be combined with any other or used as a solo/accompaniment to another division. This gives the organist extra registrational flexibility.
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
Hi,</p>
"Floating Division" denotes a group of stops that do not have a home keyboard. Usually they come with stop controls saying that they can be put on a keyboard. For example Ethereal on Swell. A little like a coupler but worded differently.</p>
Usually floating divisions are called the following, "Solo", "Bombarde", "Antiphonal", "Strings", "Ethereal", "Stentor"...........</p>
AV</p>Comment
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
Thanks guys!</P>
That's pretty much how I imaginedit might be, but I just wanted to be sure. I assume that in actual practice on a three manual organ, this "floating" division would typically beexchanged/combined with the Swell. ?? </P>2008: Phoenix III/44Comment
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
[quote user="Clarion"]
That's pretty much how I imaginedit might be, but I just wanted to be sure. I assume that in actual practice on a three manual organ, this "floating" division would typically beexchanged/combined with the Swell. ?? </P>
[/quote]</P>
The more manuals the floating division can be "attached" or the greater the flexibility. You might be accompanying on the Swell and wish a solo stop on the floating division. If it could only be attached to the Swell you'd be out of luck. That's why it's unlikely to be that restrictive.</P>
Rob</P>Comment
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
On our new Klais instrument the Antiphonal/Solo Division in the rear balcony (not yet provisioned) is intended to be played from the 4th manual (top). Right now the only functional stop on that manual (without using couplers) is theChoir Tuba 8', which is temporarily connected to the Fanfare Trumpet 8' stop knob. </P>
I understand that there are negotiations ongoing about the Antiphonal/Solo Division, but I'm not in the loop this time. I was not happy when the Organ Consultant altered the original Specification for that division from7 stops to just 4. Supposedly it was done to reduce the overall cost of the instrument, but in reality the entire division was put in abeyance for that reason, leading me to wonder just why the reduction in the recommended Stop List was actually changed. The current Stop List for that division is: Principal 8'; Bordun 8'; Octave 4'; and Fanfare Trumpet 8' (horizontal). The original concept included those 4 stops plus a Concert Flute 8'; a Stentorgamba 8', and a loud horizontal Tuba 8'. When the Stop List for the unbuilt division was reduced, the Tuba 8' was made vertical and placed in the Main Organ, on its own separate windchest located behind the Great and in front of the Swell box; it is considered assigned to the Choir division, but has stop controls also on the Great and (temporarily) Antiphonal/Solo divisions. </P>
I am not an organ expert by any means, but the gutting of our Antiphonal/Solo Division was not something I, as a member of the Organ Selection Committee agreed with, but since that division was not being built in the initial phase, I was ignored. Now that the division is being planned, I have told the Music Minister and Organist (both involved in the process) that I will personally donate a substantial sum of money to supplement whatever is provided by the means under consideration for the provision of at least 3 and possibly 4 more stops in that division. I am of the opinion that the balcony division needs to be able to operate as a balanced entity, although with more solo stops. I have proposed that there be at least one more 8' flue (flute or principal), a decent solo string, a more chorus-form reed, and possibly a small mixture or 2' stop. I think I could afford to pay for those stops if they were built and installed with the rest of the Antiphonal/Solo Division.</P>
Comments?</P>
David</P>Comment
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
$60,000--$75,000 ???Comment
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
[off-topic]</P>
Hey Dave - if you have money to donate, I have a lovely prepared Solo division that's calling your name! [;)] [:D]</P>
I put " [:D] " but that is the truth... [:)]</P>
[quote user="davidecasteel"]The current Stop List for that division is: Principal 8'; Bordun 8'; Octave 4'; and Fanfare Trumpet 8' (horizontal). The original concept included those 4 stops plus a Concert Flute 8'; a Stentorgamba 8', and a loud horizontal Tuba 8'. When the Stop List for the unbuilt division was reduced, the Tuba 8' was made vertical and placed in the Main Organ, on its own separate windchest located behind the Great and in front of the Swell box; it is considered assigned to the Choir division, but has stop controls also on the Great and (temporarily) Antiphonal/Solo divisions. </P>
I have proposed that there be at least one more 8' flue (flute or principal), a decent solo string, a more chorus-form reed, and possibly a small mixture or 2' stop. I think I could afford to pay for those stops if they were built and installed with the rest of the Antiphonal/Solo Division.[/quote]</P>
I'm a bit confused, as the specs page shows only an Antiphonal division, but not a Solo - whereas the couplers show a Solo, but no Antiphonal. [*-)]</P>
On paper, the Klaiswould appearto favor German repertoire -is it really eclectic? Do you think it has any tonal or stylistic shortcomings?New stops may help, if they are not too far away from the general plan.</P>
I will assume that the prepared division is both an Antiphonal and a Solo (under expression). If the Solo is under expression Iwould reallylike to see a Vox Humana.In addition, it might be nice to haveanother exoticcolor reedsuch asan English Horn or French Horn.</P>
A Stentorgamba is OK, but I think it would be more useful if it was a softer stop with a celeste.The Concert Flutewould be quitenice.</P>
I think a Mixture would be rather important for the Antiphonal, if the purpose is to bolster congregational singing.A 'normal' chorus reed would be also helpful in that regard, if the funds and space are present. Hopefully the Antiphonal is not located too close to parishioners - if so, forget all the loud stops!</P>
The 2' is the least important stop. The Mixture couldbe designed to bridge the gap.</P>
Of course, all of these suggestions are rather meaningless without actually hearing the instrument in person. [:)]</P>
Any recordings yet?</P>Comment
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
Menschenstimme, I wasn't going to brag about how much I have offered to further augment our nascent Antiphonal/Solo Division, but since you asked I'll reveal that it was $100,000. I'm not rich, but I have saved up a pretty good nest egg. I can't think of a way I'd rather spend some of it.</P>
Soubasse32, I think I'd be happier buying more organ for my church than for you. I hope that's OK[;)] Because this discussion is off-topic, I have sent you a PM with the answers to your questions. However, I will put a short summary here in case someone else wants to throw in their 2 cents.</P>
There are only 2 recordings of our new Klais instrument that I know of: one is a locally-produced CD for our parishioners put together by our Music Ministry and the other was produced by our Organ Consultant, Dr. doublas Bush. The latter CD is quite professional but I cannot find any reference to the producer or a catalog number, so it would seem that it was done by Dr. Bush for his own uses and distribution to folks at our church. There are probably copyright restrictions on that recording. The first, however, was obviously only intended for distribution within the church and I don't think it has any restrictions. It has music from all parts of the Music Ministry, including 2 tracks of the organ. Our resident Organist played "Now Thank We All Our God" and "In Dulci Jubilo" and I was truly astounded at how wonderful the instrument and performance sounded. I would love to post those tracks to the board for everyone's enjoyment, but I have no clue how to do this. I know how to post a photo, but not music. If someone will clue me in, I'll be happy o do so.</P>
The Antiphonal/Solo Division is probably only called Solo on the couplers because "Solo" is a lot shorter word than "Antiphonal" and a lot easier to engrave on the tablets. The fact that it is called "Antiphonal" in the church web site's pages is probably a simplification that happened when I attemptedto assist a non-organist who prepared the page with interpreting what the contract called for. In fact, the Antiphonal/solo Division in the balcony is intended to perform both functions--support for the congregation when singing and provision of interesting effects from a distance. It is because it is dual function that I am convinced that only 4 stops are not really enough to perform those duties well.</P>
For what it's worth, I am fearful that church politics will deny me the opportunity to have an input in this affair. The current negotiations are not including me and are going on between the builder and the original organ donors (a very generous couple who have been major contributors to the church over many years). I know both of them and they are lovely people, but I just do not know how they will feel about someone else "horning in" (so to speak) on "their" project. If I were in their shoes, I think I'd welcome any and all other donations, but they may well not feel that way. If they are unhappy with the idea, my offer will be ignored. As I said above, I'm not rich and I could not cover the entire project by myself; in fact, I can only supply enough for additional stops if they are built at the same time as the second phase. I do know that the Music Director (the Organist's husband) seemed quite interested in my offer, but he is handling the interface with the church and the donors. I have not heard anything recently, but have not wanted to push the issue until the very busy music season was past.</P>
I'm still open for comments.</P>
David</P>Comment
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
I think floating divisions are great. I can think of two examples in my area. One is at St. Paul's in Ocean Grove, which has a III/50 or so Austin with a small floating positive division. There's also an Aeolian-Skinner nearby in Asbury Park of about the same size with (I believe) a floating bombarde. That is a phenomenal instrument, my favorite organ in the area... better than Ocean Grove's Auditorium organ even (puts on flame retardant suit). :)Comment
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
That Asbury Park organ doesn't have a floating Bombarde division, it has a duplexed Bombarde stop -it plays from Great, Choir, or Pedal (but not Swell). Maybe you are thinking of a different organ?</P>
It is interesting that you think it is so successful -it appears to beone of theneobaroque designs of Aeolian-Skinner's last years. Maybe the acoustics are helpful?</P>
I also looked at St. Paul'swebsite - unfortunately, the Music Page "cannot be found". Not a good sign... [^o)]</P>
I play an organ with a floating Bombarde division - it is useful in that it provides both areed chorus to the Greatas well asfoundational heft to the Choir division.</P>Comment
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Re: What is a "Floating Division"?
Eh, you're right... I couldn't really remember much about the organ (which by the way is located at Trinity Church in Asbury Park).
To be honest, I haven't played either organ in over a year, and at
that, I'm not very familiar with either.</p>
I know for a fact that that Austin in St. Paul's had a floating division, though. That organ is often overlooked, though, simply because of the big dude nearby and the fact that it pales in comparison to Trinity Church's. It's still a great instrument, though, trust me. The only problem is that it has a Scharff mixture that feels like needles in your eardrums. Other than that, it's a fairly complete organ with its only weakness being the lack of a truly usable solo trumpet (it has I believe two or three trumpets, but they are all quite soft, even compared to the ARS one at my church on the great).
Have you played the A-S at Trinity Church (found it on the archives, opus 1469)? I would not myself describe it as Neo-Baroque. I am no master of specification so maybe you see the stoplist as appearing Neo-Baroque, but I can tell you it's nothing like that at all. It leans more towards a Skinner sound than Neo-Baroque. The low bass pipes and diapasons just wrap their arms around you and give you a big hug! :) The acoustics are also great... certainly miles ahead of the auditorium organ. It is a stone church, after all. Also, the stop list there looks a little weird. The swell, in fact, has three identical erzahlers, one tuned, one sharp celeste, one flat celeste (and the stops are all together and indicate this). The result is a gorgeous, shimmering sound... one of the best string sounds I've ever heard!</p>
At any rate, great stuff. My high school band director (and fellow organ nut who started me on all this) showed me those organs.
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