Tweet
This is one area I'm not very knowledgeable in...Skinner/Moller/Schantz/Ruffatti type organs. The Heinz 57 organs. I see terms like "Grand Choeur", "Antiphonal", "Bombarde Division", and I am lost...the manuals are placed differently than the German baroque trackers I'm used to. I'd like to learn more about these organs, as well as Cavaille Coll's instruments, and the English style organs, too. What is the logic behind these organ's specification. I have done a little internet research, but I haven't found much info.
-
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
anyone?....pppplease? :o(
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
The subject is so broad it is difficult to suggest where to start. If I read you correctly you are looking for some sort of primer on understanding how to register somewhat eclectic American-style pipe organs.
Holden's book on Skinner would be a good place to start.
Fenner Douglass' books on Cavaille-Coll would be helpful if you are looking for some perspective on the 19th Century French organ, though this is by no means the only source for information about organs of that time and place.
The OHS online catalog has an impressive list of books and recordings:
http://www.ohscatalog.comComment
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
You're really dealing with two completely different animals here. If you want to know what stops are, the Encyclopedia of Organ Stops has translations for almost any language!
http://www.organstops.org/MainFrameN.html
As for stuff like "bombarde", you'll quickly discover what they are once you pull them. They are a French (Cavaille-Coll) innovation, I believe, and they're essentially Trumpets, but extremely large-scaled and they make a lot of noise (if the church in question has a 32' Contra Bombarde, prepare to have some fun). The bombarde division is simply the division that can control all of the bombarde stops and might also have come horizontal trumpets and other loud reeds in it. It's exactly what it implies, a "bombarde" of sound.
Antiphonal is an organ placed at the opposite end of the room from wherever the main organ is, and if the organ is phonal, the other is "anti-phonal", it counters the other organ. It's very useful for fanfares back and forth, you'll discover.
I'm not sure myself what "Grand Choeur" actually means. It's French, and I think it might be either synonymous with Tutti or the Great.Comment
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
grand choeur made its american debut in 1956 at st thomas church 5th ave at 53rd st nyc with aeolian-skinner's last g donald harrison organ wherein he passed on. it is a french "grand chorus" and exists in 2 parisian organs by cavaille-coll;notre dame and st sulpice. in each case it is the bottom manual followed by the grand orgue on manual II.
the aeolian-skinner at st thomas had a quintaton 32 on the grand choeur on manual IV. it was deleted later and replaced with a principal 32 using the bottom 12 of the pedal contrebasse 32. there was also a grand choeur antiphonal in the 1956 aeolian-skinner later removed also.Comment
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
I think it means "Grand Chorus"Comment
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
Greetings,
Incidentally, today is the 50th anniversary of Harrison's death. Raise a glass for the old man tonight.
- NComment
-
GDH his last hours remembered
After sitting all day long at his portable keyboard usually midway down the nave tonal finishing the French-style organ at St. Thomas Church on Fifth Ave at 53rd St in new York City Harrison ventured out into the heat of Manhattan Island for a walk over to Third Avenue and downtown-ward to an apartment that he and his wife occupied likely since 1935 since they were married. The subways were on strike and the heat-humidity index brutal. But 67 year old GDH chugged along to his pad.
He had been experiencing serious health problems for several years now.At least since 1950 or so. Nitro pills kept the heart pain manageable but his attachment to alcohol and cigars were not a happy
partnership in extending his life. Toward 11 pm or so he was watching Victor Borje on TV and laughing according to Mrs Harrison when suddenly he was taken in a flash. That quickly, and GDH the great man of the organ reform movement in America was gone.His remains could not be removed till the next morning and a funeral was held in Long Island at an Episcopal Parish which the Harrisons
liked and which had an EM Skinner which GDH kept in good working order. Also there was a service at St. Thomas for Harrison. If he could know that 50 years later his basic thinking still resonates in many who hold to the ideals of the American Classic Organ tradition-the ecclectic-the a;;-purpose-organ which can do anything well. GDH-your memory does live on-RIP.
Comment
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
Indeed. He passed away after walking home from St. Thomas on a hot day in NYC. I think because there was a subway strike, or something to that effect.
Didn't he favor Martinis?Comment
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
>>Didn't he favor Martinis?
Greetings,
Indeed, you are correct on all accounts. In fact, he was enjoying a Martini while watching Victor Borge while his wife (or was it his mistress in NYC?) was preparing dinner when it happened they say.
He had to walk home that day in the hot sun for the reason you mentioned, which probably didn't help him.
- NComment
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
heres a good site...Dont know if it will help much
http://home.cfl.rr.com/aeolian-skinnerComment
-
Re: Where to find info on Skinner type organs?
The link doesn't work . . .Comment
-
Comment