The Mammoth Gavioli At Corbridge

[rebeccatcastle]

the six people who have disliked this are just idiots!

[Roylambeth]

@rebeccatcastle Couldn't agree more

[imejustperfect]

this is my favourite book/tune on the instrument but sadly the book is no longer with the organ thanks to that dam Gaudin organ :( 

[Roylambeth]

@imejustperfect The music books are interchangeable and are swopped around to enable people to hear the great range of both wonderful organs. I am sure that given time this book will return to the Gavioli. Remember that storage room in the organ is at a premium and the library of book music is vast. So the operators taken a varied selection that changes each year. I am sure that you would not like to operate this organ for hours on end playing the same music over and over again.

[portmeiriontours]

the people who look after this organ are ignorant bastards!

[melodyjenkitten]

very uplifting. Most appreciated thank u Roy!

[Roylambeth]

@melodyjenkitten My pleasure

[AuntieGavioli]

Yellow rose of texas is my total favourite. Just love it. It makes me feel a bit sad at times because they no longer have this book with the organ which to me is sinful. Its the best book the organ has!

I asked them to get the book back but they did nothing about it which annoyed me.

[theofficialgomfo]

sadly this book is no longer with the organ. it is a shame because it is so spectacular and I love the key change at: 0:34 which makes it more dramatic and uplifting!

Such a shame they no longer have the book!

[officialwaggroup]

this is my favourite book on the organ and I did request the guys to play it when I last saw the organ but sadly the book is no longer with the organ and now travels with the 98 Key Gaudin Organ. such a shame as the Gavioli sounds so beautifull and dramatic when playing this!

[jillcamel98]

not seen this organ for over two years now and i have to admit that i miss this organ an awful lot after I took very early retirement from the fair organ world and the steam rallies back in early 2008. hope the organ and the people who look after it continue to do well.

[Roylambeth]

It will be doing its usual rounds again this year with at least 5 days at Th Great Dorset Dteam Fair in September and the Houghton Feast in October

[jillcamel98]

I said an emotional farewell to the organ in 2008 where I stood and listened to it play God Save the Queen for the very last time but I am glad it is still doing well and being looked after. long may it continue

[Roylambeth]

In the days of my old pal George Parmley, The organ was tuned on arrival at each event. Last time I heard it at the 2009 GDSF it sounded very flat and harsh and it would appear that it no-longer gets the benefit of regular tuning

[jillcamel98]

Ive only ever seen them tune it once at a steam rally and since 2001 they have always tuned it at the Ness Factory near Durham where it now lives. I do not understand why they do not tune it on the rally field anymore. it is a very special organ with a magical quality to it

[Roylambeth]

I was at The Ness Factory last Friday and there was no sign of it. I understand it is now kepy somewhere in Wensleydale. It is a very special organ and needs tuning when it gets to the venue. The vibrations during travel knock the tuning out. I tried to tell them this and they laughed at me!

[jillcamel98]

oh gosh do you work at Ness? is it a big factory? ive never been. I have always wanted to find out more about the organ and where it is kept plus what they do with it and other things but never found out sadly. I would love to watch them tune it at a rally. the public would find it interesting but there must be a reason or a story behind why they no longer tune it on the rally field. its a shame

[phillemon70]

Hi,

Are the original piston air pumps still with the organ ?

I suppose a fan blower does the job now?

[joansmith07]

behind the figure at the far end of the organ there is a huge air/fan blower which is so powerfull you can see the light bulbs on the flower garland shaking when it gets switched on

[neecynice]

what?

[phillemon70]

Well Gavioli has put in his very elaborated organs some kind of aircompressor with wooden parts,because bellows could not give such power.And with special air-bearing-grooves on the head of the wooden pistons.

[Roylambeth]

I am led to understand the air is operated by a large electric enclosed fan.  When I first asw this organ in the early 1960s the main surround light bulbs flashed in time to the music, but they no-longer work due to the original mercury switches being difficult to replace so they have been disconnected. Perhaps this organ now needs a comprehensive overhaul

[theofficialgomm]

@Roylambeth what is a comprehensive overhaul ?

[Roylambeth]

@theofficialgomm Stripping out of all the pipes. Replacement of all the perished piping and worn leatherwork and bellows. Refitting all the moving parts, checking for wear and replacement as required followed by a full tune up, then a full repaint- anything us to 1000 hours of works

[theofficialgomm]

do you think the organ needs that so soon after its latest restoration? I think the facade and figures need a bit of a wash down as they looked rather grimey at the weekend with engine grime.

[Roylambeth]

@theofficialgomm No it does not need an overhaul. When George Parmley had restored it in the 1950s everywhere it went, before playing anything, it would be tuned up. George used to say that weather, sun, damp, temperature and bumpy roads would put it out of tune, so he always tuned it when he got to the venue. These days that does not happen - but it still needs tuning before playing everytime it goes out so that it will sound at its best

[wurly164]

Hi, how many pipes does this organ have?

Thanks

[wales2010]

it has got 956 working pipes and 42 trombones and horns

[gavioliorgan1]

I do so wish more organ people would appreciate this wonderfull Gavioli organ but they dont!

they are to ignorant and prefer todays awfull modern organs playing that head splitting pop music!

[marypoppinsdvd]

please please post more clips of this organ!???!!!?!??!

[Roylambeth]

I will when I get time. Probably in about 2 weeks.

[gavioliorgan1]

great can't wait, only two months until I see this organ again!!!!!!!!

[jennythewren]

oh thankyou so so much this is my favourite tune on the entire organ!

I play this book ALL the time when Ime on it at Lincoln or Astle Park rally!