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**jbird604** · 07-21-2007, 04:27 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

David,

Fascinating and lovely photos! Thanks for putting them up. Those are some of the photos I only wish I had taken when I had the chance.

When my wife and I celebrated our 25th anniversary back in 1998, we gave ourselves a two-week vacation in England.It was a life-long dream come true for both of us. We only hope to make another trip over there before we get too old to enjoy it.

She is a big James Herriott fan, so we spent several days driving a rented car around the Yorkshire region. Spent some nights and days in York, including hours in the Yorkminster. We heard that fabulousorgan played several times.

Wherever we wandered we'd go into the village church to see the organ. Now and then we were lucky enough to hear someone practicing, though I don't recall one of those organs really impressing me much.

St. Paul's in London -- we were touring it when it came time for a service of some sort. Anyone who wished was free to sit in the choir and help sing the service, which we did. The organ was absolutely thrilling. I suppose I mentally compare what I experienced there to any organ I try out now. Those huge pedal pipes that one could almoststand inside! And the marvelous liveness of the building!

Congratulations on the wonderful experience.

John

**NYCFarmboy** · 07-21-2007, 04:50 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

wonderful photographs, thank you so much for posting!!!!!!!!!!

**davidecasteel** · 07-21-2007, 09:03 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

I have also visited St. Paul's in London and heard the organ there. It is quite an experience.

I did hear most of the organs depicted in the photos I posted--several of them were in places where our choir was singing a concert and our organist played the instrument during one of the pieces (Handel's "Praise the Lord"). I spent several hours in York Minster and the organist was rehearsing during much of that time; later our choir party participated (as congregation) in Evensong there. That place is enormous and has a wonderful sound. We also visited the cathedral at Durham, England but photography is not permitted inside (even without flash). I would have gotten more photos of consoles, chambers, etc. but had limitations of time (tour on a schedule) and access (not authorized--it was a fluke that one of the York organ chambers at ground level was open and unguarded when I walked past, so I sneaked a couple of photos while I could); most of the consoles were locked, of course, or located where I could not go.

I did see one other instrument in York Minster--a little unit of 4 stops (probably 2 ranks) located adjacent to the stalls in the Choir; the pedals (I think) were detached and folded up and it was obvious that it was not currently in use. Here is the link to that organ:

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/210...28364109fjVeeV(the description below the picture says it all).

David

**Menschenstimme** · 07-21-2007, 09:46 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

Thank you for the pictures, David!

That one interior shot at York is especially interesting.

http://travel.webshots.com/photo/216...28364109fOvTeT

There appear to be "direct electric" valves mounted to the bottom of an electro-pneumatic unit chest to act as the exhaust primaries to trigger the pneumatic valves on the inside. Apparently the sound of the organ playing makes exhaust mufflers unnecessary.

Fascinating!

[<:o)]

**Guest** · 07-24-2007, 06:42 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

Truly exquisite: Thank you for sharing. Showing us the pictures is somewhat like taking us along.

**tumult_in_the_praetorium** · 07-24-2007, 06:53 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

Thanks for posting these wonderful photos.

I'm particularly fond of the York Minster instrument - and in such a marvellous acoustic.

The 32ft Sackbut is truly earthshaking...

**Menschenstimme** · 07-24-2007, 08:06 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

That's a Sackbut?! If so, it must be from Jack and the Beanstalk. I thought a Sackbut was a half-length reed or quarter length reed(?). Or am I confusing Sackbut with Sordun?? Even so, that is an awsomely large scale, more like a Trombone or Tuba. Wow!!

[:|]

**Guest** · 07-24-2007, 09:33 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

davidecasteel,

Thank you so much for sharing those amazingly beautiful pictures with us. I found myself drooling, particularly on the photographs of both Yorkminster and St. Giles'. It appears as though the St. Giles' is a recent installation.

To bethe Organist orMusic Director in one of those lovely places would be a dream come true for me. All the more inspiration for me as I practice with God's help working on my next diploma.

Many thanks, ReedGuy

**davidecasteel** · 07-24-2007, 11:22 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

According to the Encyclopedia of Organ Stops, the Sackbut is a "big reed" usually found at 32' or 16' in the pedals, and was a precursor to the Trombone. The only examples listed are the ones at York Minster and Holy Trinity Lutheran Church in Buffalo, NY (both 32'). I'm not very good at visual organ pipe identification, but I did obtain a copy of the Stop List at York Minster (they are free, but you have to ask for them) and looked for what might be those very large wooden reeds; I had decided that they must be the 32' Sackbut, and they definitely are there. (Apparently, one writer had asserted that they had been removed in 1903 but another had reported they were still present in 2001.)

I was surprised that the huge wooden pipes in the side aisles were so accessible--it was possible to reach out and touch them. I encountered the same thing in Durham Cathedral, where some very large wooden rectangular pipes were mounted with the mouths below eye level--about 2 feet off the floor; these pipes were not protected by a fence, either (and had been painted green). They were so large and such a strange color that I suspect most people walking by did not even recognize that they were organ pipes. Unfortunately, the rules at Durham Cathedral did not permit any photography, so I didn't get pictures of them.

The York Minster instrument is both visually and aurally stunning. The space has a long reverberation witha very smooth even decay. I spent several hours there and the organ was being played much of that time--truly inspiring!

I'm glad I was able to share in some small way my visit to the British Isles.

David

**Guest** · 07-24-2007, 11:32 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

One organ you absolutelyhave to hear in the UK is Britain's largestin the Royal Albert Hall in London. I feel that it is so spectacular that it has nearly bought tears to my eyes on one occasion...Sorry to sound wierd!

Jezza

**soubasse32** · 07-24-2007, 03:03 PM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

My favorites: St. Mary, Redcliffe and Southwark.

**Guest** · 07-28-2007, 02:26 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

Southwark Anglican Cathedral?

I playedin there on two occasions, the console is miles away from the main chamber which I think is so stupid - and the choir organ is right next to you!

Nevertheless, it has a great collection of sounds and accessories - not that I could hear much sound due to the huge distance...:(

Jezza

**Guest** · 08-01-2007, 03:57 PM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

David,

Thanks so much for posting all those pictures. It brought back many fond memories of my first visit to the UK which incorporated a substantial organ crawl, including St Giles which was without a doubt, the nicest Rieger I've ever played - the acoustics are superb and I'm sure I'll never come across another organ with a "Souffle" stop!!

I also spent over two hours on my own in a darkened Durham Cathedral after a Saturday evening mass, on that magnificent Harrison instrument. And I agree with everything everyone's said about York Minster - the building and the instrument are somewhat awe-inspiring. Exeter and Truro Cathedrals further down south, also wonderful experiences.

Sorry, I'm gushing a bit. Seeing that someone else had similar experiences has brought back all these lovely memories of being in world class buildings playing world class instruments .... sigh ... one day again I hope.

Thanks again,

MPA

**tumult_in_the_praetorium** · 08-05-2007, 12:21 AM

Re: Organs seen in the British Isles recently

[quote user="diaphone32"]

Southwark Anglican Cathedral?

I playedin there on two occasions, the console is miles away from the main chamber which I think is so stupid - and the choir organ is right next to you!

Nevertheless, it has a great collection of sounds and accessories - not that I could hear much sound due to the huge distance...:(

[/quote]

This is very true - fine instrument, but poor layout. As far as I can remember, the Swell and Solo are behind the pipes in the aisle, speaking into the quire - whilst the Great and Pedal speak out of the case in the transept. I'd have to check this though.

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Organs seen in the British Isles recently

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