Chris Lawton at the organ of Southampton Guildhall: The feast is ready

Me playing the 'variety console' of the organ at the Guildhall, Southampton.

Being a Compton organ enthusiast, a visit to this organ was an absolute MUST!!!! It is the only one of its type in the world and the largest instrument which the John Compton Organ Company Ltd ever produced. Opened in 1937, there are about 40 ranks of pipes enclosed in 3 chambers above the stage plus the patent Compton melotone unit. What makes this organ extra special is that there are 2 consoles - 1 theatre and 1 classical - operating the relevant sections. Some of the ranks are exclusive to the theatre console, others only available on the classical and others available on both. The consoles are situated each side of the stage - the theatre on the left and the classical on the right as you are facing. The layout in the chambers is as follows:

GREAT/CHOIR/PEDAL
Diapason 1
Diapason 2
Diapason 3
Diapason 4
Stopped Diapason
Hohl Flute
Tromba
Posaune 1
Posaune 2
Mixture - 2 ranks
Mixture - 3 ranks
Gemshorn
Salicional
Cor Anglais
Lieblich Flute
Vox Angelica
Principal
Harmonics Mixture - 3 ranks
32ft Diaphone
32ft Posaune

SWELL
Rohr Flute
Flauto Traverso
Gamba
Voix Celeste
Hautboy
Fagotto
Trumpet
Geigen
Mixture - 2 ranks
Mixture - 3 ranks
French Horn
Chimes (not original)
Non-tonal percussions and novelty effects

SOLO
Orchestral Trumpet
Tuba
Tibia Clausa
Harmonic Flute
Vox Humana
Oboe
Strings - 2 ranks
Cello
Celeste
Viole
Clarinet
Xylophone and Glockenspiel

OPEN
Polyphonic Bass
Melotone (under expression)

For this first video im playing the lively worship song by Graham Kendrick 'The feast is ready' on the theatre (also called the 'variety') console of the organ. Im using the new Methodist hymn book 'Singing the faith'. In the first verse can be heard the powerful Tuba and in the last verse I use the melotone's Vibraphone effect.

Many churches today have music groups consisting of a whole variety on instruments to play music such as this and my aim here was to try and simulate the sound of a typical church music group.

Someone once commented that I was 'just a hymn basher'. I think this was actually meant to be an insult but I actually take that as a compliment for there is no greater music than that which is written in praise to God!! Therefore, I am happy to be a hymn basher!

I must also mention that I am not cinema organist - I am simply having a go purely for the fun of it and the experience of playing a wonderful Compton organ.

Whilst playing the organ, there was some maintenance work taking place in the hall so some background noise can be heard.

For a full specification of the 'classic console' please click this following link:

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N11620

For a full specification of the 'variety console' please click this following link:

http://www.npor.org.uk/cgi-bin/Rsearch.cgi?Fn=Rsearch&rec_index=N18285

NOTE: this is purely my interest in order to make sure that these fine organs are archived forever and I do not make any monetary profit by this video being on youtube.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• graham
• kendrick
• organ
• cinema
• theatre
• church
• classic
• chapel
• john
• compton
• pipe
• melotone
• electrone
• southampton
• guildhall
• hampshire
• hymn
• tune
• worship
• song
• religious
• christian
• the
• feast

[ElectricalMuseum]

Hi Chris

I'm glad you enjoyed playing it, don't think you've been there since we did all the repair work. It could still do with being played more to keep it in good shape. Knowing the wide range of musical styles you enjoy, you might be interested in Richard Hills' CD on this organ we recorded late last year. Called 'Grand Variety' and due for release Feb 2012 on the Guildhall's 75th anniversary. Google: Grand Variety SSM0037.

BTW strictly we should be calling it 41 units, 50 ranks+melo.

[ChrisLawtonorganist]

@ElectricalMuseum Hi Lucien! Thank you for your comment! Its been 7 years since I went to Southampton Guildhall and I was yearning to get another melotone to complement my visit to St John Vianney last June so here we go! After the Guildhall I went to play a 4 rank Compton at Freemantle United Reformed Church just a mile away so a very enjoyable day.

[humerous2230]

That was wonderful Chris. Being the old person that I am I tend to prefer the old traditional hymns but really enjoyed this and very well played I have to add. (Went all through the Kendrick songs in ;Singing the Faith' from back to front??? then found it at number 35. I shall now attempt to play it but it wont sound half as good as your rendition! Thanks again, Norma.

[ChrisLawtonorganist]

@humerous2230 thank you Norma! I remember hearing this a few years ago at a circuit service being played by the circuit youth fellowship band and I loved it straightaway!

[organistuk]

Great video Chris,

I heard the Compton on last weeks organist entertains when Nigel Ogden was talking to Richard Hills about his new CD that he did on the Compton.

Ben

[ChrisLawtonorganist]

@organistuk Thank you Ben!

[ChrisLawtonorganist]

@oldbear52 Thank you Dave as always for your encouragement!

[oldbear52]

This is grand, Chris!!!

Thank you for sharing!

[ChrisLawtonorganist]

@007vauxhall im still 'high as a kite' from playing this organ mate!

[007vauxhall]

This is amazing Chris, I can't get over the sound, Thanks mate :-)