LICHFIELD & DISTRICT ORGANISTS’ ASSOCIATION Founded 1926 LDOA President: Martyn Rawles, FRCO JUNE 2012 NEWSLETTER RECENT LDOA VISITS Overhaul and reconditioning was carried out by Nicholson’s in 1955. It then seems there were further Saturday 21st April 2012 visit to St Peter’s, Maney, for changes carried out around 1974 by Tom Sheffield, with Chairman’s Afternoon and AGM extra stops being added to the Choir, the Clarinet moved from the Choir and changed to a Krummorn playable from The visit was at the kind invitation of our Chairman David the Great and Pedal, and the addition of a Trombone ex Gumbley, who is Organist and Director of Music at St Burton-on-Trent Town Hall. Peter’s Church, and the visit was combined with our 2012 AGM, matters arising from which are covered under In the 2006 rebuild by Nicholson’s, the main changes separate heading following this visit report. made were a Trumpet (2nd hand) on the Choir installed on a new chest, reversal of the 1974 change by restoring the The church was built on land purchased from Emmanuel Clarinet to the Choir, the wind pressure reduced on the College, and St Peter’s was consecrated on 28th June pedal Trombone, a new pedal board, and a 16 channel 1905 by the Bishop of Birmingham, the Rt Revd Charles computer capture system installed. Gore, gaining full parish status in 1907. As originally consecrated, the church was incomplete owing to lack of The very comprehensive 31 speaking stop full romantic funds, but in the late 1920’s it was decided to build the specification as it stands today is: final west bay and tower, the extension being consecrated by Bishop Barnes on 29th Sept 1935. The reredos and the Pedal pulpit were both designed and made by Bridgeman’s of Harmonic Bass 32’, Violone 16’, Large Bourdon 16’, Small Lichfield Bourdon 16’, Bass Flute 8’, Octave Flute 4’, Trombone 16’ Choir Dulciana 8’, Vox Celeste 8’, Lieblich Gedeckt 8’, Flute 4’, 1 Piccolo 2’, Larigot 1 /3, Clarinet 8’, Trumpet 8’ Great Bourdon 16’, Large Open Diapason 8’, Small Open 2 Diapason 8’, Clarabella 8’, Principal 4’, Twelfth 2 /3, Fifteenth 2’, Mixture II, Trumpet 8’ Swell Bourdon 16’, Violin Diapason 8’, Stopped Diapason 8’, Principal 4’, Mixture II, Cornopean 8’, Oboe 8’, Tremulant. Accessories Very comprehensive range of couplers, including octave and sub octave, a very useful Gt/Ped Pistons Combined, a 16 channel computer capture system, with 6 general and 6 per division thumb pistons, and corresponding toe pistons to the Great and Swell. The visit provided an opportunity for David Gumbley to draw on his many years’ experience of playing works by The ornately carved chancel casework of the organ of his favourite composer J S Bach to offer guidance to St Peter’s Church, with David Gumbley at the console lesser experienced members via a masterclass. To assist our understanding of the sort of organs for which Bach The organ is housed in its own organ chamber, and has would have written, David handed out a copy of the an ornately carved front case in the chancel, with an specification of the restored Wender organ at Arnstadt, opening at the side through a screen in the stone archway with its two 48 note manuals plus pedals, and which is into the south transept. The 3 manual organ was built and known to have been tested by the 18 year old J S Bach installed by Nicholson in 1905 when the church was first when first installed. With regards to how Bach’s music built, and its action was originally tubular pneumatic. In should be performed, David went on to point out that since 1939, Nicholson’s renovated the organ, electrifying the so few of Bach’s organ works were published in his action and adding the Twelfth, Fifteenth stops to the Great, lifetime, lots of assumptions have been made as to how and the Mixture and Oboe stops to the Swell. Bach performed them. David explained that in playing 1 Bach’s music there were three main aspects to consider – 2012 ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING registration, articulation and tempo. Matters of interest to members arising from the AGM were: Pat Neville offered to be David first ‘victim’, but as the piece she had originally intended to play was probably not Election of Officers – Clive Smith had previously actually composed by Bach, Pat bravely offered to sight advised us that he wished to stand down from the read a chorale on Vater unser im Himmelreich. Pam Committee, but was happy to continue to distribute Strong was next up, choosing Toccata & Fugue in D Minor publicity material. Our appreciation to Clive for his (Dorian) BWV 538, with copies handed out of the first efforts publicising the Association. Margaret Pinder three pages being utilised by David to illustrate points on offered to join the Committee, and her appointment registration, articulation and tempo in the masterclass. was duly proposed and seconded. Margaret is an LRAM and was a member of the Liverpool Organists’ Association, of which she was President in 2001/2. The remaining officers confirmed their willingness to continue in office, and were duly re-elected. The 2011 Accounts showed that had it not been for the £70 (total of £104 including £34 in 2010) from the sale of James Pinder’s music, our outgoings would have exceeded income from subscriptions, so we are greatly indebted to Margaret Pinder for her generosity. Despite the probability of the IAO capitation fee being increased for 2013, by a majority of 1 it was voted to keep our subscription charges unaltered for a further year. However, to help ‘balance the books’, it was decided to invite a voluntary donation of 50p from members for refreshments provided at our visits. David Gumbley’s masterclass on J S Bach, with Pam Strong at the console of St Peter’s, Maney. FORTHCOMING LDOA VISITS Pam then prevailed upon David to play J S Bach’s Prelude & Fugue in D Major BWV 532, a challenging work by any Tuesday 12th June 2012 visit to St James’ Church, standards, with some tricky pedalling! David received a Mere Green, Sutton Coldfield well-deserved ovation at the end of his performance. Visit at the invitation of Rev Bill Moore commences at 7.30 Then it was the turn of other members to try out the fine pm. The Nicholson organ dates from c1921, and was Nicholson organ. Andrew McMillan continued the J S Bach extended from 2 manuals to 3 manuals in 1985. The theme with a stirring performance of Fantasia Pièce church has good and lively acoustics. d’Orgue in G major BWV 572, followed by Margaret Pinder playing Rhapsody No 1 by Herbert Howells, with David Gumbley acting as registrant to achieve the required gradual crescendo and diminuendo, and finally yours truly playing the 3rd and 4th movements of Mendelssohn’s Sonata No 2. Margaret Pinder at the console of St Peter’s Maney, with David Gumbley assisting as registrant. Locator map for St James Hill Church, Mere Green Our thanks to David Gumbley for hosting the event, and to The church has a square tower and is located at the Pam Strong for the welcome refreshments. Our previous corner of Mere Green Road and St James Rd. Post code two visits had been particularly well attended, so today’s for Satnav users is B75 5BW, and is shown with a blue dot attendance of 12 was rather disappointing, due in part to a on the locator map. When approaching from the direction clash with other events on the same day. TS of Lichfield Road, travelling east along Mere Green Rd, St James Church Centre is on the left just before the church, 2 behind which is a large car park, with the entrance clearly Tuesday 11th September 2012 at 7.30 pm marked. Stephen Farr (St Paul’s Knightsbridge) and 2011 BBC Proms soloist Saturday 8th September 2012 visit to Broadway United Reformed Church, Walsall Tuesday 2nd October 2012 at 7.30 pm Cathy Lamb, Lichfield Cathedral Visit commences at 2.30 pm, hosted by our member and Broadway Organist/Choirmaster Alan Taylor. The organ is Tuesday 30th October 2012 at 7.30 pm a large 4 manual 51 stop organ built by Lloyd & Haynes, Martyn Rawles, Lichfield Cathedral comprising mainly Nicholson/Nicholson & Lord pipework, with a modern mobile console. (See October 2011 Tuesday 27th November 2012 at 7.30 pm newsletter for photos and description) A welcome return visit by Alex Mason, who was Assistant Organist at Lichfield from 2002-7, before moving to St NB. You may like to make a note in your diary of a recital David’s Cathedral, and is now Director of Chapel Music at at Broadway URC by Daniel Bishop of Liverpool Anglican Shrewsbury School. Cathedral on Saturday 15th September, the week after our visit. Tuesday 11th December 2012 at 7.30 pm Cathy Lamb, Ben Lamb, Martyn Rawles and Nigel Argust. Saturday 10th November 2012 - President’s Evening at Lichfield Cathedral Tuesday 22nd January 2013 at 7.30 pm Martyn Rawles Visit hosted by our President, Martyn Rawles. Open Choir rehearsal at 4.45 pm, followed by Evensong, then an Organ Recitals – Lunchtime Series opportunity for members to play the magnificent Hill organ, before finally adjourning for refreshments. Martyn Rawles has advised us of the following ‘MUSIC FOR REFLECTION’ 2012 lunchtime events, on Tuesdays Wednesday 12th December 2012 - Annual Dinner and Fridays from 1.00 – 1.30 pm, some of which have still to be confirmed. The events include both organ recitals Details to follow.