Bristol Beacon Organ Appeal

[mopsus]

Bristol Beacon (the new name for the city's main concert hall, due to reopen in November this year) has launched an £800,000 appeal to complete work on the Harrison & Harrison organ and replace it in the Hall.

https://bristolbeacon.org/support-us/organ-appeal/

I find myself asking why work on the organ wasn't factored into the refurbishment costs of the hall, so they wouldn't be going cap in hand at this stage. But the whole project relating to the hall wasn't properly costed, for example by doing a thorough survey beforehand to find out about the (numerous) structural problems they would have to overcome. The reopening is over four years behind schedule (and only half of the delay could be ascribed to the pandemic). Costs, at £132 million, have been near three times the original estimate, and the whole reopening was nearly called off by the Council and the hall put in mothballs. https://www.itv.com/news/westcountry...xtra-25million

I felt the organ was under-used, although I have sung in a number of concerts where it was played. I don't however recall there being recitals given on it, or recordings made of it, in recent years - despite it being described as 'one of the finest examples of concert hall organs'. Malcolm Archer made a recording some years back, and Organists' Review asked the same question: https://www.prioryrecords.co.uk/inde...roduct_id=1699

The organ often seems to be what's left out of refurbishment costs and treated as an optional extra. Didn't something similar happen at the RFH?

[french frank]

I find myself asking why work on the organ wasn't factored into the refurbishment costs of the hall, so they wouldn't be going cap in hand at this stage.

Hmm, that's a tough one!

[mopsus]

Hmm, that's a tough one!

I think a German (say) concert hall would have included an organ rebuild in costs of the whole project.

[Roger Judd]

It does seem extraordinary that they are just getting around to finding the money for this. H&H have already done a lot of work on the organ (see their website).
Simon Preston memorably recorded the Elgar Sonata there, in a programme of British organ music and, in the days of organ recitals on the BBC (remember those?), they recorded there regularly.
RJ

[Pulcinella]

It does seem extraordinary that they are just getting around to finding the money for this. H&H have already done a lot of work on the organ (see their website).
Simon Preston memorably recorded the Elgar Sonata there, in a programme of British organ music and, in the days of organ recitals on the BBC (remember those?), they recorded there regularly.
RJ

Now on a 2CD Decca Eloquence set:

https://www.prestomusic.com/classical/products/8388473--twentieth-century-organ-music

I'm surprised that the recording venue/organ used for the Hindemith is given as unknown.
The blurb on Preston's own site says:

Also issued here for the first time on international release are the three sonatas by Paul Hindemith, which Preston recorded at the Church of St. John the Evangelist in Islington. Written between 1937 and 1940, these have remained staples of the organ’s modern repertoire – not surprisingly, given their mastery of Bachian counterpoint.

[Serial_Apologist]

Isn't there some Colston estate to come to the rescue???

[french frank]

Isn't there some Colston estate to come to the rescue???

Not any more! He's miffed.

[Serial_Apologist]

Not any more! He's miffed.

Is that Bristolian for a museum piece?

[mopsus]

I will report from time to time on the progress of the appeal. I fear that unless they can get some more major sponsors in it might be slow - there is no shortage of other and more frequently used instruments needing money for rebuilds, and a groundswell of feeling that the Council should have paid for it along with everything else in the hall.

[mopsus]

I believe Harrison's are now aware of the 800K shortfall - not clear whether they were before!

[ardcarp]

and a groundswell

Is that a new fifth manual??

[mopsus]

Gloucester Cathedral is also asking for money for work on its organ, which finally collapsed 18 months ago. Like the Bristol appeal, it's something of a ransom demand, as the dismantled organ is at Nicholson's workshop and won't return until its restoration is paid for. This is part of a larger music appeal so it's not clear how much is specifically for the organ. It gets much more use than the instrument in Bristol. 'In Tune' Organ and Music Campaign | Gloucester Cathedral

[Serial_Apologist]

Gloucester Cathedral is also asking for money for work on its organ, which finally collapsed 18 months ago. Like the Bristol appeal, it's something of a ransom demand, as the dismantled organ is at Nicholson's workshop and won't return until its restoration is paid for. This is part of a larger music appeal so it's not clear how much is specifically for the organ. It gets much more use than the instrument in Bristol. 'In Tune' Organ and Music Campaign | Gloucester Cathedral

"Ransomed, healed, restored, forgiven - who like us its praises sing? hallelujah, hallelujah,.." etc etc...