An English organ to France

[Nick Armstrong]

French speaking organ fanciers may be interested in the link at the end of my 'recent concerts' post -

http://www.for3.org/forums/showthread.php?1119-What-was-your-last-concert&p=285885#post285885

- the story of an 1896 organ by Norman Bros & Beard which has been transplanted from London and installed in the chapel of the Lycée St Vincent in Rennes, Brittany, as an integral part of the activities of their Choir School.

It was looking (interesting paint job - see my photo!) and sounding splendid on Thursday evening

[mercia]

I wonder where in London it came from

I should imagine there are quite a few instruments lying around in redundant churches which could be found good homes - expensive job moving them though

[Anna]

I wonder where in London it came from
I should imagine there are quite a few instruments lying around in redundant churches which could be found good homes - expensive job moving them though

I spent about 3 fruitless hours today trying to find out the Church from whence it came. I am sure Caliban can enlighten us. I also, Mea Culpa, was about to boast that our local establishment had a Father Willis - No, it's just some "historic pipe organ" it appears But, on the few occasions I venture there, it sounds pretty marvellous to me, thundering out!! Love organ music. Oh, and before I forget, re Rennes, Langlais was significant, I think?

[Nick Armstrong]

I spent about 3 fruitless hours today trying to find out the Church from whence it came. I am sure Caliban can enlighten us. I also, Mea Culpa, was about to boast that our local establishment had a Father Willis - No, it's just some "historic pipe organ" it appears But, on the few occasions I venture there, it sounds pretty marvellous to me, thundering out!! Love organ music. Oh, and before I forget, re Rennes, Langlais was significant, I think?

Sorry about that! So have I ! Can't find it either... Silly that it's not mentioned in that otherwise comprehensive blog....

I'll email the choir master, I think !

[mercia]

don't worry - I'm not demanding an answer - just passing the time of day

[amateur51]

Sorry about that! So have I ! Can't find it either... Silly that it's not mentioned in that otherwise comprehensive blog....

I'll email the choir master, I think !

Oh bonny day, Cali

[Alain Maréchal]

It came from St. Andrew, Witehall Park, just off the Archway Road. It seems to have originated in Liverpool - there's no point in wasting all that work. There's a tradition of English Organs in Bretagne: the Dallam family of builders went there during the Commonwealth when organ buidling was not encouraged, and built some splendid instruments still in use today.

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N16963

[Nick Armstrong]

It came from St. Andrew, Witehall Park, just off the Archway Road. It seems to have originated in Liverpool - there's no point in wasting all that work. There's a tradition of English Organs in Bretagne: the Dallam family of builders went there during the Commonwealth when organ buidling was not encouraged, and built some splendid instruments still in use today.

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsear...c_index=N16963

Amazing investigative skills, M Maréchal Thank you... I hadn't got around to emailing the choirmaster.

It's had rather a good paint job since installation...

[Alain Maréchal]

My pleasure, Caliban. More interesting than getting on with Madame's list of household tasks.

I've always been fascinated by just how peripatetic some wondrous machines could be. I can bore people for hours with the history of the Trocadero Organ (currently in Lyon and waiting a refurbishment, since you ask.)

[Cornet IV]

My pleasure, Caliban. More interesting than getting on with Madame's list of household tasks.

I've always been fascinated by just how peripatetic some wondrous machines could be. I can bore people for hours with the history of the Trocadero Organ (currently in Lyon and waiting a refurbishment, since you ask.)

I've played an old Willis in Seattle which is fairly peripatetic, although the instrument was far from "wondrous" . . .

[Alain Maréchal]

It may be the celebratory Oranjeboom taking effect, but as I looked at the picture of the organ and tried to fathom the decoration on the cases, it occured to me that
a. it is intentionally so, and very jolly it is too,
b. the painter was handed the pipes all in one row, devised a pattern and didn;t realise they weren't to be installed that way,
c. when the organist pulls a certain stop they all light up, rotate wildy and eventually form a coherent pattern. Something of the sort would greatly enhance the Lefebure-Wely "Sortie".