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Trumpet En Chamade

AllanP

AllanP

New member
There seems to be a fashion to include a loud, splashy trumpet in almost all organs, classical or theatre. This phenomena is somewhat new as it did noe exist 20 or so years ago. Why has this trend started, What use is made of these stops? These are expensive and limited use stops, so why are they in such demand today?
 
Contratrombone64

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
hey Allan, nice to see you post again, it's been too long.

I find these sorts of stops a little starteling, personally, and can't see much use in them unless they're on a huge monster in a VERY large space. Then, they are good for waking up a congregation that's drifted off to sleep ...
 
Krummhorn

Krummhorn

Administrator
Staff member
ADMINISTRATOR
IT depends upon how the horizontal trumpet is voiced ... they don't have to part the hairs on our heads to be heard. A local Holtkamp which has horizontals are voiced in such a fashion that they became they blend quite well with the rest of the organ and often used as a solo reed stop.

What I detest the most about horizontals is when the organist plays block chords on them ... it's far too brash for my ears when they are abused in that manner.

In Mesa (Az) where there is a IV/79 Wurlitzer, the horizontal is mounted at the rear of the auditorium ... coming from the back is quite pleasing as opposed to being hit with it in the face. Mormon Tabernacle organ has an En Chamade, but it is behind the facade.

If the church or auditorium has the money, why not? As long as it isn't overused by the organist.
 
Contratrombone64

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
Lars - fascinating. I read in a CD sleeve about the wonderful organ at the National Cathedral in Washington loosing one of them whilst being tuned as it hadn't been secured properly ... it shot across the nave ... !!
 
wljmrbill

wljmrbill

Member
Allan: enjoyed your article on your organ. What a lucky guy you are and I am sure hours of playing pleasure. Take care..Maybe post sample of the sound for us>>>>
 
Dorsetmike

Dorsetmike

Member
Wimborne Minster had one added in the 1965 rebuild by Walker, attached is a short excerpt of the opening of Gigout's Grande Choeur Dialogue which features it.

View attachment gigoutex58916.mp3

Certainly a "wake up call"

I think they've been around in Europe for a lot longer than 25 years.
 

dll927

New member
What gives the original poster the idea that en chamades are new or a recent fashion? They have been around for eons and quite often are probably the loudest single stop in (above??) the organ. Quite useful for waking up sleeping children or anyone else dozing off.

I can understand a problem with playing chords on them. One note is usually quite sufficient.


About that pipe flying through the National Cathedral -- maybe the organ technician was trying to become an amateur rocket scientist. Just don't aim it at the rose window.

As it happens, the chamade at St. Sulpice is also "inside" the organ. That may be safer -- since the organ is in the back of the nave, it could get downright dangerous up at the altar.
 
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Contratrombone64

Contratrombone64

Admiral of Fugues
dll927, fascinating post, thanks. I'm not fond of them, I must say. Though there is a recording of Bach I have owned but now don't where Richter using the En Chamade coupled with the pedal in one of his fugue interpretations - enough to rattle your eyeballs and loosen your false teeth.
 
AllanP

AllanP

New member
Thank you for the nice greeting. I agree with you about the "en chamade" stops, most organs don't nood them. Allan
Contratrombone64 said:
hey Allan, nice to see you post again, it's been too long.

I find these sorts of stops a little starteling, personally, and can't see much use in them unless they're on a huge monster in a VERY large space. Then, they are good for waking up a congregation that's drifted off to sleep ...
Click to expand...
 

Diode

New member
I agree with aross30's comment "In certain contexts it's quite the effect". Good examples can be found in the Spanish cathedral organs and the "battalas" composed by Cabanilles and others where en-chamade-style reeds called 'Trompetas Reales' depict military battles. I have an old LP of some of these played in the huge cathedral at Toledo on two similar organs that 'confront' each other across the choir, each being equipped with horizontal reeds that fire both front and rear! Imagine two organists on separate organs in a very large reverberant space, trying to keep in step with each other. Here is an example of a batalla played by Biggs on just one of these organs...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hP1D-l3ngwQ&feature=player_embedded
Incidentally, Toledo Cathedral boasts a third 'Emperor's' organ, and I wonder what all three would sound like if being played "simultaneously"?
 
Soubasse

Soubasse

New member
So the question is now: As far as a battle situation goes, which would you run from in terror - a Spanish chamade or a Scottish bagpipe?

What a brilliant recording - made me think of a troop of murderous Krummhorns and Schalmeis running down a hill whilst all shouting at me :D
 
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