Best organ in the country?

[jean]

The Grand Organ in Liverpool Cathedral (Willis) is said to be the largest organ in the UK, but that's not necessarily a recommendation.

I grew up thinkking all organs were like that, and when I first heard a small baroque organ it was a revelation.

[ardcarp]

The RFH will have one of the best once its all back in place

Maybe a few will not agree with that. Nonetheless, what a load of philistines to spend squillions on the South Bank and to grudge a measley 100.000 or so to finish the organ off. It's a bit like village halls that get a huge lottery grant for complete rebuilding, have ballroom floors, stages and lighting installed, but end up keeping the same old beat-up joanna that's been there since WW1.

[Vile Consort]

Not sure about the RFH organ. The organ may be OK but the acoustics are inimical to organ tone. I went to a recital there once and was very disappointed. In fact, I can't think of any concert hall apart from the RAH that has suitable acoustics for the organ - they are all far too dry.

[verismissimo]

It is interesting that Peter Hurford picked on an instrument in a previously unheard of Australian grammar school to do much of his IMO unrivalled complete Bach organ works.

Knox Grammar School. Wonderful organ.

[MrGongGong]

Not sure about the RFH organ. The organ may be OK but the acoustics are inimical to organ tone. I went to a recital there once and was very disappointed. In fact, I can't think of any concert hall apart from the RAH that has suitable acoustics for the organ - they are all far too dry.

I think thats more to do with the fact that most organists are used to such huge reverb times that they pay little attention to the ends of the notes
Gillian Weir playing Messiaen in the RFH ......... wonderful stuff

[Vile Consort]

I think thats more to do with the fact that most organists are used to such huge reverb times that they pay little attention to the ends of the notes
Gillian Weir playing Messiaen in the RFH ......... wonderful stuff

Do you have any evidence of that or are you just being insulting?

Organists pay a huge amount of attention to the ends of notes. It's about first thing they are taught after how to turn it on and which way to face on the stool. You surely aren't suggesting that people who haven't learned the basics of organ technique get recitals at the RFH are you?

[ardcarp]

which way to face on the stool.

Ah! Now I know where I've been going wrong all these years.

[MrGongGong]

Do you have any evidence of that or are you just being insulting?

Organists pay a huge amount of attention to the ends of notes. It's about first thing they are taught after how to turn it on and which way to face on the stool. You surely aren't suggesting that people who haven't learned the basics of organ technique get recitals at the RFH are you?

not at all

[Simon]

I think thats more to do with the fact that most organists are used to such huge reverb times...

Huge? A few may be, most are very average and some are certainly not. Try playing in CCO, Lichfield or Sheffield and see how "huge" the reverb time is?

Do you have any evidence of that...?

"Evidence" VC? - remember it's GongGong you're responding to.

[MrGongGong]

actually Simon I have considerable experience of this
but carry on as you were

and what exactly do you mean by "average" ? Lincoln Cathedral is about 14s , York Minster 16s
If you habitually play in a large acoustic which "smears" the sound then you will habitually pay less attention to the ends of the notes
but don't trust me matey I was only remembering something I read in the RFH acoustics report and a conversation with Larry Kirkergaard (who obviously knows much less than YOU do )

[Simon]

If you habitually play in a large acoustic which "smears" the sound then you will habitually pay less attention to the ends of the notes

Well I have to disagree, even though the places that I generally play in don't have a large acoustic.

but don't trust me matey I was only remembering something I read in the RFH acoustics report and a conversation with Larry Kirkergaard (who obviously knows much less than YOU do)

Kierkegaard is an acoustics engineer, I believe: therefore he will know about acoustics. I'd be most surprised if he had said that organists don't pay attention to the endings of notes - but if he did, it merely shows that whatever he may know about acoustics, he is mistaken about organists.

[Vile Consort]

actually Simon I have considerable experience of this
but carry on as you were

and what exactly do you mean by "average" ? Lincoln Cathedral is about 14s , York Minster 16s
If you habitually play in a large acoustic which "smears" the sound then you will habitually pay less attention to the ends of the notes
but don't trust me matey I was only remembering something I read in the RFH acoustics report and a conversation with Larry Kirkergaard (who obviously knows much less than YOU do )

I think a professional organist will adjust his playing to suit the acoustic, don't you? If we mere amateurs can manage it ...

[BBMmk2]

I think thats more to do with the fact that most organists are used to such huge reverb times that they pay little attention to the ends of the notes
Gillian Weir playing Messiaen in the RFH ......... wonderful stuff

Have you heard Jennifer Bate play the organ at St Pierre de Bauvaix, especially the Messiaen?

[Vile Consort]

To paraphrase Jennifer Bate in a Messiaen masterclass, "The long rests in Messiaen aren't silent: they are filled with reverberation".

Not at the RFH they aren't. And on that basis, you don't hear the piece as Messiaen intended when you hear it there, no matter how well it's played.

Of course, as Dame Gillian never plays anywhere with any acoustic, she will know exactly when to take her fingers off the notes, unlike most other professional organists (apparently).

[MrGongGong]

I see the Nutwood high horse has a saddle big enough for two these days
interesting how a simple observation leads to a load of ignorant twaddle

I give up

bye