Wow that is the most beautiful organ I've ever seen. I suppose it'd have to be ornate if it's in Westminster Abbey though. It'd look out of place otherwise.
AudioFred Messages: 377 Registered: May 2009 Location: Houston
Illuminati (1st Degree)
One of my best memories of listening to classical music is from a few years ago when I was in London and attended an organ recital at the Abbey. We were seated in the choir stalls, with the great double organ facade in front of and behind us. The setting sun was shining through the stained glass West window, and as Big Ben struck the hour the organist began playing Louis Vierne's "Westminster Carrilon", starting with the softest stops and building to a full organ climax.
This isn't the performance we attended, but it's the same music on the same organ. I understand the organist did not use the full reed chorus in this recording because some stops are so loud that they can't be reproduced effectively on a home stereo without using a lot of compression. Also, unless you're listening to a system with a subwoofer capable of reproducing 16hz at 120+dB you will not get the same tactile effect as somebody sitting there. It's like having a bass shaker under your butt.
This truly is a work of art. I am so glad that it is in a place people respect and appreciates. I wonder where would we be as a society if all the beauty of art in all its forms was eradicated.
I watched the wedding too. I liked their choice of music throughout, and the sound carried very well. There's something extra special about organ music isn't there? I have good memories of going to a gothic church in Europe and the organist was playing some classical tunes which were very fitting to the surroundings. Magical!
Goatmaster Messages: 18 Registered: August 2011 Location: London
Chancellor
London (and I'm sure all of the UK) is full of lovely giant pipe organs. Sadly, many are in disrepair, but several are not. There is a local organ music society that hosts concerts throughout the Thames Valley and I have gotten to noodle around on mid sized ones, like the one at the St. Mary's Old Church in Stoke Newington. Gotta love those bass pedals!
I concur that it is a work of art. I wish I could visit that abbey someday and listen to that organ being played. It would be a great honor if I could play that instrument.
LizardBat Messages: 33 Registered: August 2011 Location: London
Baron
There's a lovely organ at St. Leonard's Church in Shoreditch (right next to the town hall, near Old Street station) that's also lovely. Well worth a stop in, especially if they are having a concert. They have a lot of fun concerts there, usually for cheap or free, so it's a good one to check out.
So, where is Shoreditch? I'm sorry, but I've never heard of it. I love concerts, and if I find myself near there, I would love to stop in and check one out.
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