Live Prom 2 Jonathan Scott Organ Recital

[jonfan]

Well, trying to get away from the general nastiness and negativity which has developed on this thread after only the first live prom, can I ask where is the thread for the real prom 54 which was the terrific Symphonic Organ prom from last night given by Jonathan Scott? Well worth a listen, or viewing on iplayer.

[antongould]

Well, trying to get away from the general nastiness and negativity which has developed on this thread after only the first live prom, can I ask where is the thread for the real prom 54 which was the terrific Symphonic Organ prom from last night given by Jonathan Scott? Well worth a listen, or viewing on iplayer.

Indeed it was IMVVHO of course ......

[Frances_iom]

It was a much better prom - catch why do we need the 'gushing' over the number of pipes etc - maybe someday we can go back to a more factual introduction - however John Scott is a 'natural' - I suspect he could have done his own intros - btw he + his brother have done quite a number of concerts on youtube

[Pulcinella]

It was a much better prom - catch why do we need the 'gushing' over the number of pipes etc - maybe someday we can go back to a more factual introduction - however John Scott is a 'natural' - I suspect he could have done his own intros - btw he + his brother have done quite a number of concerts on youtube

It was Jonathan Scott who played last night.
Sadly, John Scott (certainly a natural, and a much missed choir director to boot) is no longer with us.

[jonfan]

It was a much better prom - catch why do we need the 'gushing' over the number of pipes etc - maybe someday we can go back to a more factual introduction - however John Scott is a 'natural' - I suspect he could have done his own intros - btw he + his brother have done quite a number of concerts on youtube

Yes agree. Very good camera work this time showing the dazzling pedal work close up. Just to correct, it’s Jonathan Scott. Just the right amount of chat about the organ and pieces to satisfy the newcomer to the organ and not to annoy the impatient who want to get to the music. Great to acknowledge the builder Henry Willis, but a pity not to mention Harrison and Harrison of Durham who did the recent amazing rebuild and added all the 21st century kit. Their badge I could see proudly fixed above the music desk.

[Constantbee]

Live Prom 2 Jonathan Scott Organ Recital

Highly recommended Jonathan Scott playing ALL his own arrangements in a delightful and enjoyable programme highly suited somehow to a wet and blustery British August bank holiday weekend Scott is an engaging and down to earth performer, up most of the previous night getting the stops ready, and happy to chat to us during the interval about the mysteries of organ mechanics

Well, organs have been having a tough time under lockdown. Organs do need to be played and I gather that organists weren't allowed back into church buildings until fairly recently. And the winner of the BBCR3 organ recital encore audience poll was ... but that would spoil it for you, wouldn't it

[DracoM]

[antongould]

Very good IMVVHO

[Pulcinella]

Very good IMVVHO

Glad you enjoyed it, Anton, but for me an evening of transcriptions (including of the Saint-Saens, of all things) didn't appeal.

I know of one large cathedral organ (better not say which) that was given a weekly working out to keep all the action etc going; I'm not sure who gave dispensation for that to happen during lockdown, though, but it makes sense, especially as the building will otherwise have been unoccupied, I suspect, with no risks involved.

[edashtav]

Glad you enjoyed it, Anton, but for me an evening of transcriptions (including of the Saint-Saens, of all things) didn't appeal.

I know of one large cathedral organ (better not say which) that was given a weekly working out to keep all the action etc going; I'm not sure who gave dispensation for that to happen during lockdown, though, but it makes sense, especially as the building will otherwise have been unoccupied, I suspect, with no risks involved.

I listened to Saint-Saens Symphony with Organ, recast as a Symphony without Orchestra, by Jonathan Scott with growing dismay. The composer and his idol, Liszt, frequently resorted to decoration and embellishment for variety, and simplying textures to allow the piece to be played by two hands and two feet can produce an unwelcome and unidiomatic starkness. Add the slow pace that Scott adopted for the poco adagio section and some listeners may feel Lisztless.

Give some organists a Big Beast and they go wild. I felt that during Jonathan's encore - Nimrod. The quiet beauty of the whole was spoiled by the over loud climax in the middle.

[jonfan]

I know of one large cathedral organ (better not say which) that was given a weekly working out to keep all the action etc going; I'm not sure who gave dispensation for that to happen during lockdown, though, but it makes sense, especially as the building will otherwise have been unoccupied, I suspect, with no risks involved.

Early on in the lockdown organists were allowed to play pipe organs for 10 minutes per week to make sure every pipe was sounded. Practise was not permitted!!!
Enjoyed the main concert immensely but Nimrod too loud even in the quiet bits giving it less portent. Forgiven though as the rest was very entertaining with excellent sound in what I’m sure was a challenging and unusual acoustic in the hall to get right for transmission.

[edashtav]

[…]

Enjoyed the main concert immensely but Nimrod too loud even in the quiet bits giving it less portent. Forgiven though as the rest was very entertaining with excellent sound in what I’m sure was a challenging and unusual acoustic in the hall to get right for transmission.

I take your point, Jonfan!
"Am I too loud in this?" is a question oft asked by Organists who are frequently seated in the worse place to hear their own pipings.

[Eine Alpensinfonie]

Thank you, Constantbee, for starting this thread. I'm having difficulty in accessing the Concerts 2020 subforum (which is something of a disadvantage for a host who's supposed to be co-ordinating it).

[mrbouffant]

Great to acknowledge the builder Henry Willis, but a pity not to mention Harrison and Harrison of Durham who did the recent amazing rebuild and added all the 21st century kit.

Except that it was Mander Organs who did the restoration.

[edashtav]

Except that it was Mander Organs who did the restoration.

But... let's not forget the heroic efforts of Harrison and Harrison through many decades and several rebuilds of the 20th century to keep the Beast growling. It was an albatross around the firm's neck.

Wikipedia records the nadir of the relationship: "By 2002, it was maintained only through "heroic efforts" on the part of Harrisons and could not be used at all without their staff present, in case of mishap. The wind chests and pipes were leaking noisily and wind pressure was insufficient to support full use. The leatherwork in the actions was also failing."