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2001 restoration, Ely Cathedral organ

smilingvox

New member
The other day, I listened to a CD by Paul Trepte on the big H&H at Ely Cathedral. It was great(!), but during the Ad Nos (Liszt), it seemed that the 32' Bombardon was a bit over-used at one point. As incredible as this reed is, generally (imo) 32-footers should be used with care.

Before this restoration, there was the Solo 8' Fanfare Trumpet from '75. Today's stoplist shows two big reeds in the Solo: 8' Tuba and 8' Orchestral Trumpet.

According to the stoplist, the Orch. Trumpet was new, but not the Tuba, so I'm wondering if, back in the '70s, the Tuba was put in a tray and stored? ......

or was the Fanfare Trumpet revoiced as the Tuba (which I kind of doubt)?
 
Corno Dolce

Corno Dolce

Admiral Honkenwheezenpooferspieler
Ely has a super-sweet machine - No doubt about it - In a superb acoustic space - Comes right in second place in my book, after the Liverpool Anglican Machine, of course.............

:grin::grin::grin:

The stop in question is imvoho a tuba mirabilis mounted horizontally - Methinks???????
 
pcnd5584

pcnd5584

New member
:grin::grin::grin:

The stop in question is imvoho a tuba mirabilis mounted horizontally - Methinks???????
Click to expand...

No - the Solo Tuba was simply revoiced as a Fanfare Trumpet in the 1976 H&H/Clutton remodelling. At the more recent restoration, the Fanfare Trumpet was again revoiced (this time as a Tuba), and the stop labelled Fanfare Trumpet in the present stop list is new.

Ely and Liverpool cathedrals do indeed contain good instruments; however, there is a wealth of other equally superb organs in the UK. I would suggest investigating (by CDs, for example), the organs of Bristol (Walker 1907), Coventry (H&H 1962), Salisbury (Willis, various dates) and Ripon cathedrals (Lewis/H&H, various dates) - just for a start. Whilst each of these instruments (even Coventry) has been altered or restored to a greater or lesser extent, in each case none has lost its original identity. Each instrument is unique - and often quite different in style and tonal effect. However, all are superb, utterly musical instruments.

I have first-hand knowledge of each (and many other cathedral instruments besides), and would be happy to supply further details of these, and others, if anyone is interested.
 
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Soubasse

Soubasse

New member
Fond memories of Ely, played it prior to the restoration and was a pleasant instrument in marvellous acoustics. There's an innate charm to many H&H instruments, but I will confess an overwhelming fondness and preference for Durham Cathedral - both the building and the organ provided an unforgettable evening's playing for me.
 
Contratrombone64

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
As I have not had the pleasure of Liverpool Anglican Cathedral in person, I'll look forward to a visit to Scouser land next time I'm in Great Britain. I do have several recordings of the monster at Liverpool, so French sounding yet so English.
 
marval

marval

New member
I used to visit Ely Catherdral a lot, my brother went to the school there. It is a beautiful place, my brother used to sing in the choir.


Margaret
 

smilingvox

New member
Corno Dolce said:
The stop in question is imvoho a tuba mirabilis mounted horizontally - Methinks???????
Click to expand...

pcnd5584 said:
grin.gif
grin.gif
grin.gif
No - the Solo Tuba was simply revoiced as a Fanfare Trumpet in the 1976 H&H/Clutton remodelling. At the more recent restoration, the Fanfare Trumpet was again revoiced (this time as a Tuba), and the stop labelled Fanfare Trumpet in the present stop list is new.
Click to expand...

Looks like my doubt gets ruled out about the revoicing. And, speaking of horizontally, the first time I heard a recording of the Ely, it was from the compilation from the Great English Cathedrals series on tape. A. Wills playing Franck's Fanfare in B-flat Major, where he used the Fanfare Trumpet. Ever since, I had believed it to be horizontal, because all the harmonics were there.

I'm glad this organ has the Tuba back. I think it's been screaming for it all these years.

Yep, there are many other greats around England. Whatever my mood, there's always something there. Giants like St. Paul's and Liverpool (Ang.) to the 1821 Lincoln in Thaxted and Adlington Hall. Hopefully, the 1735 Bridge, Christ Church, Spitalfield, will be heard by us some day.

Two great small giants come to mind now: Truro Cathedral's Fr. Willis and St. Bee's Priory's Willis. The former, except for the console and Tuba placement, is unaltered. The latter? Is everything at St. Bee's original?
 
pcnd5584

pcnd5584

New member
smilingvox said:
No - the Solo Tuba was simply revoiced as a Fanfare Trumpet in the 1976 H&H/Clutton remodelling. At the more recent restoration, the Fanfare Trumpet was again revoiced (this time as a Tuba), and the stop labelled Fanfare Trumpet in the present stop list is new.
Click to expand...

smilingvox said:
Looks like my doubt gets ruled out about the revoicing. And, speaking of horizontally, the first time I heard a recording of the Ely, it was from the compilation from the Great English Cathedrals series on tape. A. Wills playing Franck's Fanfare in B-flat Major, where he used the Fanfare Trumpet.
Click to expand...

This would not have been possible at this time. This series of recordings was made during the 1960s; the Tuba was not revoiced as a Fanfare Trumpet until the H&H rebuild of 1976. However, the Pedal and G.O. reeds had been revoiced (with the wind pressures lowered to facilitate this) prior to the 1976 rebuild.
 

smilingvox

New member
OMG! Looks like I contradicted myself, or worse... was wellied on stout when I was making these posts! (or both) :lol: ...... :-/
Thanks, pcnd. I stand corrected. And I may have several questions on British organs for you soon. Next spring, I'm going to England & Wales for 5 wks.
 
pcnd5584

pcnd5584

New member
smilingvox said:
OMG! Looks like I contradicted myself, or worse... was wellied on stout when I was making these posts! (or both) :lol: ...... :-/
Thanks, pcnd. I stand corrected. And I may have several questions on British organs for you soon. Next spring, I'm going to England & Wales for 5 wks.
Click to expand...

Please do not worry - we all make mistakes....

I will be happy to help with any questions you may have.
 
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