H.Walford Davies - A solemn Melody

[MissDeniseHewitt]

Outstanding Performance:) Warm Weekend Wishes - Denise

[ghpierson]

What stops are used at the very end on the Choir?

[fluteceleste]

@ghpierson Good question! i think it was CH coupled to Swell, and SW has Gamba&Celeste, Flute & Flute celeste, Vox humana plus 4ft coupler..

[justchris52]

i feel that the organist(no dis-repute),could have used the title,solemn melody,more dramaticaly at the end,as though ones soul had bn united in prayer with god.

[sarum1surplice]

How strange: a cult with an organ!

[bombarde1701a]

I read in the liner notes to a CD I have from here that some 2600 Aeolian Skinner pipes were removed a while back.

[Contrubas]

Walford Davies would turn in his grave!

[maso608]

Better use the music! Many wrong harmonies, wonderful organ!

[robertgift]

Huge organ.

But the room sounds rather dead.

While to organist is not doing much, Could you pan 360 degrees and show the room?

Is it carpeted and seat cushioned?

Would be nice if more information was given in the information box.

Thank you for posting this.

[codeman2008]

The pews are cushioned, I think remember carpet, but it's not wall to wall (Thank Heavens!)

The room is not very reverberant, but the brilliance of the organ makes up for it in my opinion.

[stripernutkl]

This organ is incredible in person, but does not "translate" well into recordings. Even the Cor Des Anges up in the Solo division sounds like a goat getting squeezed at high pressure.

I've only heard one that even comes close, and that was done back in the 90's by Dr. Thomas Richner (MC Organist at the time).

Oh, and this organ is all wind-blown pipes. Not one digital stop anywhere. Check out the Foley-Baker of Tolland, CT. website for some great chamber photos.

[codeman2008]

You're right it's a fantastic organ! Like the Mormon Tabernacle organ, it just doesn't sound right in recordings... I don't know why.

When I played there, I believe the organist there (Bryan Ashley) told me one (maybe it was two) of the 32' stops was/were digital... I might be wrong though.

[aberjed]

digital stops...how disgusting

[bihonning]

It's hard to believe this is a pipe organ. It sounds a lot more like the hideous American boom boxes. This sound is ugly as hell and made a lot worse by the very American quite immodest use of tremolo. disgusting sound and a showing-off and very sentimental performance. -So typical of the States.

[SkinnerEnthusiast]

I am appalled such a comment would emanate from a supposedly educated European. Stay your ground and understand there are many varied interpretations of how an organ should sound. For many things there is no one correct way to things, such as designing and voicing an organ. I certainly admire the European thought on organ design and sound, but I like others have my preferences. A well rounded instrument able to play most periods of musical literature is wonderful.

[codeman2008]

Trust me it sounds allot better in life. And you have to keep in mind, this organ has it's share of digital stops.

The acoustics might be far from desirable, but it's a great organ none the less.

[JJCSTL]

I would like to know more about the history of this organ. I know some divisions and ranks were removed.

[bkde2007]

Who Wrote this Piece i have been looking for it! I love this Piece alot!

[fluteceleste]

Henry Walford Davies 1869-1941 originally for orchestra . sheet music is available.

[DainGerrUsss]

Sorry, but didn't the title sort of give that information away?

[rgadave]

A brilliant composition by a son of Shropshire.

[codeman2008]

How did you get to play this organ, the Yale organ, the old south church organ, etc.?

Did you just say 'Hey I'm an organist too! Can I play it?' and they just let you have at it? I'd appreciate an elaboration!

Thanks,

Best,

- - - Cody.

[codeman2008]

I love this organ! I heard it in February, it was pretty amazing!

[BeFrSc]

Does anyone have the sheet music for this?

[edelvang]

I do :)

[wurlitzer3]

I only have one CD of the Mother Church. It was available at Christian Science Reading Rooms. I agree that it is a wonderful instrument and should be heard more.

[wheidelberg]

Truly a wonder of music, instrument and your art. Thank you for this post.

[a55b47]

Let's have some more of the Mother Church organ -- a sadly-under-recorded instrument. Unfortunately, the accoustics in that big old room aren't nearly as reverberant as you might want -- I guess it's all that carpet & cushions.

[kensingtonpalace]

i guess pipe organs are mostly known for their majesty..but i love when the soft strings and flutes are played..i could listen all day.