Blackburn Cathedral organ....

[ardcarp]

....heard prominently in yesterday's CE.

http://www.blackburncathedral.com/levels.asp?level_id=34

[Gweefry]

Something of a rarity that the voluntary was a duet, Rutter’s Variations on an Easter Theme (O filii et filiae). Plenty of opportunities to hear the Imperial Trumpet as well as a range of the quieter divisions. If I’m not mistaken I think that the Cymbelstern also gets an outing at the end!

The organ is a Walker and a rather smaller cousin to that in Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, built a couple of years earlier in 1967. Blackburn, I think, has the advantage of a more helpful acoustic where the spaced divisions make quite an impact.

It was good to see the organ’s designer, Organist Emeritus Dr John Bertalot, at the service, looking remarkably spry.

The service is well worth a listen. I think. Assistant Director, Shaun Turnbull, uses his resources to bring plenty of colour to the accompaniment.

[ardcarp]

Something of a rarity that the voluntary was a duet, Rutter’s Variations on an Easter Theme (O filii et filiae). Plenty of opportunities to hear the Imperial Trumpet as well as a range of the quieter divisions. If I’m not mistaken I think that the Cymbelstern also gets an outing at the end!

The organ is a Walker and a rather smaller cousin to that in Liverpool Metropolitan Cathedral, built a couple of years earlier in 1967. Blackburn, I think, has the advantage of a more helpful acoustic where the spaced divisions make quite an impact.

It was good to see the organ’s designer, Organist Emeritus Dr John Bertalot, at the service, looking remarkably spry.

The service is well worth a listen. I think. Assistant Director, Shaun Turnbull, uses his resources to bring plenty of colour to the accompaniment.

But rebuilt by Wood of Huddersfield.
A while ago there was some annoyance on The Forum over a BBC announcer talking of the organ at the RFH being 'put through its paces'. I did feel that something of the sort was being practised during CE !

There is another organ duet by S.Wesley (not SS)..tuneful, and quite good fun.

[Gweefry]

But rebuilt by Wood of Huddersfield.

Indeed, and as one would expect from them the character was largely retained with some useful additional resources.

A while ago there was some annoyance on The Forum over a BBC announcer talking of the organ at the RFH being 'put through its paces'. I did feel that something of the sort was being practised during CE !

I'm not altogether sure I've got your drift - too intrusive perhaps? I think that only the anthem and voluntary could come into that category and, given that the Elgar was originally scored for organ and orchestra (I believe), it seems fair enough that an approximation to the original effect may be made. As for the voluntary, it's difficult to imagine that a combination of the liturgical season, two players and the composer's scoring requiring solo trumpet for the first variation and solo tuba for the last are likely to result in the most restrained of results!

[Vile Consort]

David Briggs was the consultant for the Wood rebuild. He gave a brilliant recital to re-open the instrument; having long since finished the advertised programme, he virtually had to be dragged off the stool at about 10.30 by the vergers wanting to lock up. Not a dot or a clef in sight, IIRC.

[ardcarp]

I'm not altogether sure I've got your drift - too intrusive perhaps?

I wasn't being critical! Merely saying that we maybe heard a bit more variety,i.e. Royal Trumpet, 32' ('digital?) pedal, etc. than we might normally expect...and I was mainly thinking of the Elgar.

Blackburn obviously has a fairly resonant acoustic. Did anyone think the engineers found it a wee bit problematic? The 'decay' came over as a bit odd, and I wonder if some gismo was being used by them?

[Keraulophone]

David Briggs [...]* gave a brilliant recital to re-open the instrument

Anyone wishing to hear David's enthusiasm for the Blackburn organ can listen to his two CDs on the Lammas label 'Sounds French' and 'Sounds Artistic' (hmm), and the recording of his Organ Concerto (played by Greg Morris) on his own Chestnut Music label c/w his Requiem.


* correct usage, FF?!