Benjamin Scott plays Elgar Imperial March on Hammerwood Organ

This performance uses mainly the original 3 manual organ which came to Hammerwood Park from Londonderry Cathedral but the new octave couplers added by David Pinnegar give brilliance to the Swell trumpets. This concert instrument is intended to inspire enthusiasm for performers and audiences alike, and perhaps even to organ builders to conceive pipe organs for greater versatility of repertoire. Whilst we enjoy the traditional English classics, the French Baroque gives an amazing soundscape: this organ is one of the few in England which can do justice to Couperin and Corrette.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Elgar
• Imperial
• March
• Hammerwood
• Organ

[wurlitzer3]

What is it about this Hammerwood organ that it is posted again and again with various people playing it. It sounds very much like an imitation of a pipe organ. It's not as good as a Walker nor is it as good as an M&T. Is this just someone's home-built baby? I'm really tired of it's coming up again and again.

[latribe]

@wurlitzer3 Try "Mark Shepherd plays Elgar Imperial March at Hammerwood Park" - much better registration

[goodchappy]

I have to be honest, good playing, no problem there, but I do not like that organ, maybe it is not helped by the mono recording. If you are going todo it electronically, use Hauptwerk, it is the best way and because of the potential it has can only get better.

[latribe]

@goodchappy Try "Mark Shepherd plays Elgar Imperial March at Hammerwood Park" which has much better registration

[goodchappy]

@latribe That is strange, you replied to my same comment 11 months ago as well :-)

Without hearing this organ in person, I cannot comment too much, perhaps you could use a better means of recording, particularly if it was in stereo it would help.

There seems to be a metallic resonance coupled with a distorted buzz which is not helping your cause.

You obviously put a lot of effort and enthusiasm into this project, it is a pity the result is not coming across very well on Youtube ;-)

[latribe]

@goodchappy Yes - I know what you mean by the metallic resonance - it's the reverberation mix which I have been working on recently and may have sorted out over the last year. Mark Shepherd possibly used better registration. The Shepherd concert was recorded in mono but more recent recordings are in stereo - you might notice the difference, and possibly enjoy "3 chorale preludes for organ" recorded earlier this year and "jcm Reger Introduction and Passacaglia"

[latribe]

@wurlitzer3 The original was a Makin three manual which served Londonderry Cathedral for a dozen years. 2 stops in particular were poor and adding adequate replacements to these led to the addition of two further manuals. The instrument became capable of more than "English Cathedral" idiom, lending itself to Germanic and Italian, then to French Romantic and recently to French Baroque repertoire. The Organ Matters website explains why a concert instrument outside church surroundings is helpful.

[wurlitzer3]

a point of correction to my original post: M&T was supposed to be Marshall & Ogletree.

[wurlitzer3]

@latribe Is this a home built instrument and why does it appear to be some sort of pilgrimage organ? Is it being promoted by its owner?

[latribe]

@wurlitzer3 Because it's more exciting in real life than in recording and a great experience to play. It's also academically interesting in versatility, exemplified by videos "Filsell BWV 685", "Potton Reubke" and "French Baroque Masterclass" with the Grand Jeu and the Grand Tierce, which has since been improved. Search also "JCM Reger" and you'll start to hear what this instrument is all about.

[Lopear27]

Just thought, have you heard Simon Preston's version of this? Brilliant version, particularly the smooth dynamics when you consider what else is going on whilst he's doing it.