…so it’s a perfect venue to perform Mahler’s 8th Symphony. And that’s just what Barts Choir did in November.
Although an Albert Hall full of musicians is a glorious sight, I thought you may like to see it empty just for a change. As usual, click a pic for a bigger pic.
In the county of West Sussex there are reed organs by the dozen, either privately owned or in small curches. For many years we have made an annual trip to maintain those that we look after. The hard drive on my computer is stuffed with photos taken on these trips. It will be time soon to write an article about our experiences there, but here are some random snaps in the meantime.
Classical Summer Concert: Saturday 9 July 2011
and Nocturnes by Morten Lauridsen
Conducter David Wordsworth
Oratorio and Chamber Choir
Accompanied by piano & harmonium
7.30pm in St Michael & All Angels, Bedford Park, W4 1TT.
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Lawrence Renes conductor
Sarah-Jane Brandon soprano
Stephanie Marshall mezzo-soprano
Michel van der Aa Spaces of Blank (UK premiere)
Gustav Mahler arr. Stein Symphony No. 4 (Chamber version)
A quartet of performances of the Petite Messe Solennelle in the next few weeks …
Sung by the Abbey Church Choir. 7.30 p.m. in the Abbey Church. In aid of the Waltham Abbey Church Heritage Organ Appeal.
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Nottingham Bach Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Saturday 9th July St. Michael’s and All Angels, Turnham Green, West London.
7.30pm
Addison Singers, Musical director David Wordsworth. See their website here.
Conductor – Carleton Etherington
Tickets from ‘Blue’ 27, Broad Street, Pershore or ticket sec: Carole Oliver
Mob. 07808 887715 or 01386 860389.
Quote from RAH website:
“Five choirs, including the Vivace Chorus and the London Symphony Chorus, are combining with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform one of the greatest and most ambitious choral works, Mahler’s Eighth Symphony – the Symphony of a Thousand – to mark the centenary of the composer’s death.
The sheer scale of this symphony means that it is rarely heard live. This highlight of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s London concert season will involve a full symphony orchestra, eight soloists, two huge choruses and a children’s choir.”
When I say machine, I mean a Cramer to be precise.
Now that this harmonium is at A=440, perhaps it will be heard on the next Keane album.
The concert mentioned in the post of 23rd January will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Thursday 10 March at 19:00.
Antonio Pappano Conductor/Piano
Thomas Hampson Baritone
Klaus Florian Vogt Tenor
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, will be playing this programme at Cadogan Hall. London on Sunday 27th February at 7.00 pm.
Mahler: Piano Quartet Movement in A minor
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (chamber version, arranged Schoenberg completed Rainer Riehn)
Here are some items that didn’t make the blog – until now
The composer John Metcalf is currently working on his seventh opera, based on Dylan Thomas’ UNDER MILK WOOD. As part of the work’s development during November the Debain was used in workshops with music students at the University of Swansea. More here.
John Metcalf
Up and coming band The Burning Glass, founded by Edwin Brooks, had their pressure Hillier reed organ repitched to A440. This means that the clarinet and bass players will be able join in this song which has been going around in my head for weeks. Looking forward to the full performance. Robin plays the Hillier in this Burning Glass video.
The 2 manual Mustel was used in a performance of the Mahler/Schoenberg Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen. The back of this programme is in a true Smörgåsbord of languages.
…so it’s a perfect venue to perform Mahler’s 8th Symphony. And that’s just what Barts Choir did in November.
Although an Albert Hall full of musicians is a glorious sight, I thought you may like to see it empty just for a change. As usual, click a pic for a bigger pic.
In the county of West Sussex there are reed organs by the dozen, either privately owned or in small curches. For many years we have made an annual trip to maintain those that we look after. The hard drive on my computer is stuffed with photos taken on these trips. It will be time soon to write an article about our experiences there, but here are some random snaps in the meantime.
Classical Summer Concert: Saturday 9 July 2011
and Nocturnes by Morten Lauridsen
Conducter David Wordsworth
Oratorio and Chamber Choir
Accompanied by piano & harmonium
7.30pm in St Michael & All Angels, Bedford Park, W4 1TT.
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Lawrence Renes conductor
Sarah-Jane Brandon soprano
Stephanie Marshall mezzo-soprano
Michel van der Aa Spaces of Blank (UK premiere)
Gustav Mahler arr. Stein Symphony No. 4 (Chamber version)
A quartet of performances of the Petite Messe Solennelle in the next few weeks …
Sung by the Abbey Church Choir. 7.30 p.m. in the Abbey Church. In aid of the Waltham Abbey Church Heritage Organ Appeal.
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Nottingham Bach Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Saturday 9th July St. Michael’s and All Angels, Turnham Green, West London.
7.30pm
Addison Singers, Musical director David Wordsworth. See their website here.
Conductor – Carleton Etherington
Tickets from ‘Blue’ 27, Broad Street, Pershore or ticket sec: Carole Oliver
Mob. 07808 887715 or 01386 860389.
Quote from RAH website:
“Five choirs, including the Vivace Chorus and the London Symphony Chorus, are combining with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform one of the greatest and most ambitious choral works, Mahler’s Eighth Symphony – the Symphony of a Thousand – to mark the centenary of the composer’s death.
The sheer scale of this symphony means that it is rarely heard live. This highlight of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s London concert season will involve a full symphony orchestra, eight soloists, two huge choruses and a children’s choir.”
When I say machine, I mean a Cramer to be precise.
Now that this harmonium is at A=440, perhaps it will be heard on the next Keane album.
The concert mentioned in the post of 23rd January will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Thursday 10 March at 19:00.
Antonio Pappano Conductor/Piano
Thomas Hampson Baritone
Klaus Florian Vogt Tenor
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, will be playing this programme at Cadogan Hall. London on Sunday 27th February at 7.00 pm.
Mahler: Piano Quartet Movement in A minor
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (chamber version, arranged Schoenberg completed Rainer Riehn)
Here are some items that didn’t make the blog – until now
The composer John Metcalf is currently working on his seventh opera, based on Dylan Thomas’ UNDER MILK WOOD. As part of the work’s development during November the Debain was used in workshops with music students at the University of Swansea. More here.
John Metcalf
Up and coming band The Burning Glass, founded by Edwin Brooks, had their pressure Hillier reed organ repitched to A440. This means that the clarinet and bass players will be able join in this song which has been going around in my head for weeks. Looking forward to the full performance. Robin plays the Hillier in this Burning Glass video.
The 2 manual Mustel was used in a performance of the Mahler/Schoenberg Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen. The back of this programme is in a true Smörgåsbord of languages.
…so it’s a perfect venue to perform Mahler’s 8th Symphony. And that’s just what Barts Choir did in November.
Although an Albert Hall full of musicians is a glorious sight, I thought you may like to see it empty just for a change. As usual, click a pic for a bigger pic.
In the county of West Sussex there are reed organs by the dozen, either privately owned or in small curches. For many years we have made an annual trip to maintain those that we look after. The hard drive on my computer is stuffed with photos taken on these trips. It will be time soon to write an article about our experiences there, but here are some random snaps in the meantime.
Classical Summer Concert: Saturday 9 July 2011
and Nocturnes by Morten Lauridsen
Conducter David Wordsworth
Oratorio and Chamber Choir
Accompanied by piano & harmonium
7.30pm in St Michael & All Angels, Bedford Park, W4 1TT.
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Lawrence Renes conductor
Sarah-Jane Brandon soprano
Stephanie Marshall mezzo-soprano
Michel van der Aa Spaces of Blank (UK premiere)
Gustav Mahler arr. Stein Symphony No. 4 (Chamber version)
A quartet of performances of the Petite Messe Solennelle in the next few weeks …
Sung by the Abbey Church Choir. 7.30 p.m. in the Abbey Church. In aid of the Waltham Abbey Church Heritage Organ Appeal.
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Nottingham Bach Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Saturday 9th July St. Michael’s and All Angels, Turnham Green, West London.
7.30pm
Addison Singers, Musical director David Wordsworth. See their website here.
Conductor – Carleton Etherington
Tickets from ‘Blue’ 27, Broad Street, Pershore or ticket sec: Carole Oliver
Mob. 07808 887715 or 01386 860389.
Quote from RAH website:
“Five choirs, including the Vivace Chorus and the London Symphony Chorus, are combining with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform one of the greatest and most ambitious choral works, Mahler’s Eighth Symphony – the Symphony of a Thousand – to mark the centenary of the composer’s death.
The sheer scale of this symphony means that it is rarely heard live. This highlight of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s London concert season will involve a full symphony orchestra, eight soloists, two huge choruses and a children’s choir.”
When I say machine, I mean a Cramer to be precise.
Now that this harmonium is at A=440, perhaps it will be heard on the next Keane album.
The concert mentioned in the post of 23rd January will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Thursday 10 March at 19:00.
Antonio Pappano Conductor/Piano
Thomas Hampson Baritone
Klaus Florian Vogt Tenor
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, will be playing this programme at Cadogan Hall. London on Sunday 27th February at 7.00 pm.
Mahler: Piano Quartet Movement in A minor
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (chamber version, arranged Schoenberg completed Rainer Riehn)
Here are some items that didn’t make the blog – until now
The composer John Metcalf is currently working on his seventh opera, based on Dylan Thomas’ UNDER MILK WOOD. As part of the work’s development during November the Debain was used in workshops with music students at the University of Swansea. More here.
John Metcalf
Up and coming band The Burning Glass, founded by Edwin Brooks, had their pressure Hillier reed organ repitched to A440. This means that the clarinet and bass players will be able join in this song which has been going around in my head for weeks. Looking forward to the full performance. Robin plays the Hillier in this Burning Glass video.
The 2 manual Mustel was used in a performance of the Mahler/Schoenberg Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen. The back of this programme is in a true Smörgåsbord of languages.
…so it’s a perfect venue to perform Mahler’s 8th Symphony. And that’s just what Barts Choir did in November.
Although an Albert Hall full of musicians is a glorious sight, I thought you may like to see it empty just for a change. As usual, click a pic for a bigger pic.
In the county of West Sussex there are reed organs by the dozen, either privately owned or in small curches. For many years we have made an annual trip to maintain those that we look after. The hard drive on my computer is stuffed with photos taken on these trips. It will be time soon to write an article about our experiences there, but here are some random snaps in the meantime.
Classical Summer Concert: Saturday 9 July 2011
and Nocturnes by Morten Lauridsen
Conducter David Wordsworth
Oratorio and Chamber Choir
Accompanied by piano & harmonium
7.30pm in St Michael & All Angels, Bedford Park, W4 1TT.
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Lawrence Renes conductor
Sarah-Jane Brandon soprano
Stephanie Marshall mezzo-soprano
Michel van der Aa Spaces of Blank (UK premiere)
Gustav Mahler arr. Stein Symphony No. 4 (Chamber version)
A quartet of performances of the Petite Messe Solennelle in the next few weeks …
Sung by the Abbey Church Choir. 7.30 p.m. in the Abbey Church. In aid of the Waltham Abbey Church Heritage Organ Appeal.
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Nottingham Bach Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Saturday 9th July St. Michael’s and All Angels, Turnham Green, West London.
7.30pm
Addison Singers, Musical director David Wordsworth. See their website here.
Conductor – Carleton Etherington
Tickets from ‘Blue’ 27, Broad Street, Pershore or ticket sec: Carole Oliver
Mob. 07808 887715 or 01386 860389.
Quote from RAH website:
“Five choirs, including the Vivace Chorus and the London Symphony Chorus, are combining with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform one of the greatest and most ambitious choral works, Mahler’s Eighth Symphony – the Symphony of a Thousand – to mark the centenary of the composer’s death.
The sheer scale of this symphony means that it is rarely heard live. This highlight of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s London concert season will involve a full symphony orchestra, eight soloists, two huge choruses and a children’s choir.”
When I say machine, I mean a Cramer to be precise.
Now that this harmonium is at A=440, perhaps it will be heard on the next Keane album.
The concert mentioned in the post of 23rd January will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Thursday 10 March at 19:00.
Antonio Pappano Conductor/Piano
Thomas Hampson Baritone
Klaus Florian Vogt Tenor
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, will be playing this programme at Cadogan Hall. London on Sunday 27th February at 7.00 pm.
Mahler: Piano Quartet Movement in A minor
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (chamber version, arranged Schoenberg completed Rainer Riehn)
Here are some items that didn’t make the blog – until now
The composer John Metcalf is currently working on his seventh opera, based on Dylan Thomas’ UNDER MILK WOOD. As part of the work’s development during November the Debain was used in workshops with music students at the University of Swansea. More here.
John Metcalf
Up and coming band The Burning Glass, founded by Edwin Brooks, had their pressure Hillier reed organ repitched to A440. This means that the clarinet and bass players will be able join in this song which has been going around in my head for weeks. Looking forward to the full performance. Robin plays the Hillier in this Burning Glass video.
The 2 manual Mustel was used in a performance of the Mahler/Schoenberg Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen. The back of this programme is in a true Smörgåsbord of languages.
…so it’s a perfect venue to perform Mahler’s 8th Symphony. And that’s just what Barts Choir did in November.
Although an Albert Hall full of musicians is a glorious sight, I thought you may like to see it empty just for a change. As usual, click a pic for a bigger pic.
In the county of West Sussex there are reed organs by the dozen, either privately owned or in small curches. For many years we have made an annual trip to maintain those that we look after. The hard drive on my computer is stuffed with photos taken on these trips. It will be time soon to write an article about our experiences there, but here are some random snaps in the meantime.
Classical Summer Concert: Saturday 9 July 2011
and Nocturnes by Morten Lauridsen
Conducter David Wordsworth
Oratorio and Chamber Choir
Accompanied by piano & harmonium
7.30pm in St Michael & All Angels, Bedford Park, W4 1TT.
BBC Symphony Orchestra
Lawrence Renes conductor
Sarah-Jane Brandon soprano
Stephanie Marshall mezzo-soprano
Michel van der Aa Spaces of Blank (UK premiere)
Gustav Mahler arr. Stein Symphony No. 4 (Chamber version)
A quartet of performances of the Petite Messe Solennelle in the next few weeks …
Sung by the Abbey Church Choir. 7.30 p.m. in the Abbey Church. In aid of the Waltham Abbey Church Heritage Organ Appeal.
Plymouth Philharmonic Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Nottingham Bach Choir. 7.30 p.m.
Anne Page – harmonium
Saturday 9th July St. Michael’s and All Angels, Turnham Green, West London.
7.30pm
Addison Singers, Musical director David Wordsworth. See their website here.
Conductor – Carleton Etherington
Tickets from ‘Blue’ 27, Broad Street, Pershore or ticket sec: Carole Oliver
Mob. 07808 887715 or 01386 860389.
Quote from RAH website:
“Five choirs, including the Vivace Chorus and the London Symphony Chorus, are combining with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra to perform one of the greatest and most ambitious choral works, Mahler’s Eighth Symphony – the Symphony of a Thousand – to mark the centenary of the composer’s death.
The sheer scale of this symphony means that it is rarely heard live. This highlight of the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra’s London concert season will involve a full symphony orchestra, eight soloists, two huge choruses and a children’s choir.”
When I say machine, I mean a Cramer to be precise.
Now that this harmonium is at A=440, perhaps it will be heard on the next Keane album.
The concert mentioned in the post of 23rd January will be broadcast on BBC Radio 3 on Thursday 10 March at 19:00.
Antonio Pappano Conductor/Piano
Thomas Hampson Baritone
Klaus Florian Vogt Tenor
The Orchestra of the Royal Opera House, Covent Garden, will be playing this programme at Cadogan Hall. London on Sunday 27th February at 7.00 pm.
Mahler: Piano Quartet Movement in A minor
Wagner: Siegfried Idyll
Mahler: Das Lied von der Erde (chamber version, arranged Schoenberg completed Rainer Riehn)
Here are some items that didn’t make the blog – until now
The composer John Metcalf is currently working on his seventh opera, based on Dylan Thomas’ UNDER MILK WOOD. As part of the work’s development during November the Debain was used in workshops with music students at the University of Swansea. More here.
John Metcalf
Up and coming band The Burning Glass, founded by Edwin Brooks, had their pressure Hillier reed organ repitched to A440. This means that the clarinet and bass players will be able join in this song which has been going around in my head for weeks. Looking forward to the full performance. Robin plays the Hillier in this Burning Glass video.
The 2 manual Mustel was used in a performance of the Mahler/Schoenberg Lieder eines fahrenden Gesellen. The back of this programme is in a true Smörgåsbord of languages.
In Part 2 we compared some external features of a harmonium, apparently made by the English builder Geo. Luff, with those of some middle-period instruments by the French builder Alexandre Debain. In Part 3 we compare some internal features; again the “English” photos are captioned Luff.
a) Where most builders used sugar-paper, Debain often finished off his bellows with fine white leather (1, 2).
b) The bright, powerful sound of these instruments derives largely from the extremely shallow reed pans (3-5), about half the usual depth, which along with the shallow plinth (see part 1) makes these Debains sit lower on the ground than most other harmoniums. Note also the characteristic strip of fleece under the front pallet-arms and the varnished top surface of the reed pan. Some Alexandres of this period also have the shallow reed pan and bright, powerful tone (6); indeed it is not always easy to distinguish the two makers’ instruments of this period.
c)The undersides of the reed pans have a strong family resemblance, note particularly the large steel “paddle” (arrow), a part of the Expression stop action (7-9). In each instance the reed sequence front to back is 1,2,4,3 so the bright 4′ (set 3) reeds sit directly under the Forte opening for maximum brilliance.
d) Though the upper face of the reed pan is highly finished, the underside of the valve board is more rough and ready (10, 11). The valve hinges are crudely cut from leather scraps and are glued and tacked to the board, while the guide pins (if any) are ordinary steel nails, usually badly corroded from contact with the leather facing of the valve.
e) Lastly, the most important evidence: on the top face of the valve board of the ‘English’ harmonium is the following stamp (12) “A.D fr. Bte du Roi” = Alexandre Debain, facteur, Brevete du Roi. The ‘roi’ is stamped twice: does this mean the French and British monarchs (see medallions in part 1) ? Compare with the stamp found in the same place on a ‘real’ Debain (13) – though only one ‘roi’ here.
