Stockholm City Hall Organ - Alfred Hollins - Concert Ouverture in C minor

This is the first recording made after Harrison & Harrisons renovation (2006-08) of the grand 1925 Walcker organ in Stockholm City Hall. It's actually the first recording ever made of the instrument.

Per Thunarf plays Concert Ouverture in C minor by Alfred Hollins.

Due to political bickering, there are still no regular concerts.

The CD is distributed by Naxos, so it shouldn't be that difficult to get hold of for anyone interested in listening to it and to support the use of the instrument. The lable is "nosag" and the number is nosagCD 2180.

Category:

People & Blogs

Tags:

• Alfred
• Hollins
• Stockholm
• City
• Hall
• E.
• F.
• Walcker
• Harrison
• organ

[AnOrganCornucopia]

So what 'politics' are we talking about? Who could possibly object to more use being made of this magnificent instrument, especially since so much public money has been spent on it?

[Steff2929again]

@AnOrganCornucopia The present conservative majority of the city council wants to encourage "private initiatives". They allow concerts, but only if the arranger pays full rent for the hall. The sum is so substantial that it is very difficult for anyone to take on that kind of arrangement.

[Improvisata]

@Steff2929again

Yes you are indeed indicating a problem for professional organists. The famous organs are restored mostlty by money of the community but after the restoration

or renovation the board of directors from a lot of these churches wants to get their church "rich" because they want full rent for the hall and the organ.

That is not a good thing for the Stockholm Organ community or any organ community.

Nice recording, thanks for posting.

[Steff2929again]

@Improvisata Thank you for your comment. Your analysis is spot on. A political curtain of silence is keeping this instrument hidden from the world. It was used on a regular basis during the 20's. But then it became unfashionable and gradually fell into disrepair. In spite of the recent renovation, it continues to be hidden away from the public. We all know what happens to organs that isn't used - they deteriorate and fall into disrepair. It's a vicious circle.

[peteacher52]

No regular concerts because of politics?!! God help us! What a waste of a wonderful sounding instrument in a cavernous acoustic that sounds more cathedral-like than a concert hall. Perhaps if there were 1500 bums on seats it would sound different, but H&H will have taken that into account and voiced accordingly. Let's hope that common sense wins over in Sweden.

[Steff2929again]

@peteacher52 The capacity for dinner seating is 1300 guests. When the annual Nobel banquet is televised, and the organ is used for the entrance of the royal family and the laureates, it seems to fill the space just fine. Difficult to know how it would sound in a more regular concert setting.

[AnOrganCornucopia]

@Steff2929again - but don't they see that they simply won't get any concerts of any kind, so won't make the money? Maybe you and your friends in the Stockholm organ community need to stand for the city council on a cultural ticket!