Bach at Sydney Grammar

[Contratrombone64]

Wasn't sure if it was OK to publicise a concert here, but seeing as it's free admission ...

Tuesday, March 18, 18:30 - Sydney Grammar School, College Street.

Bach's Birthday Concert on the Mander Organ, Christopher Wrench

BWV 593 (concerto after Vivaldi)
BWV 678 (Dies sind die heil'gen zehen Gebot')
BWV 526 (Sonata 2)
BWV 681 (O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig)
BWV 621 (Da Jesus an dem Kreuze stund)
BWV 622 (O Mensch, bewein dein Sunde gross)
BWV 582 (Passacaglia in c minor)

[Contratrombone64]

So is anyone going to this concert tonight? I can't be the only Sydneysider on this forum, surely??

[Analogicus]

No, I am a Sydneysider too.
Unfortunately I can't make it to the concert tonight. IMHO that organ has a great sound. Enjoy!

[methodistgirl]

What does your organ look like that you will be playing on?
judy tooley

[Contratrombone64]

Judy - I'm not playing the organ my dear (wish I were). I'll hunt around the surf and see if I can't find a link to it for you.

Analogicus - sad, I'll be there and can't WAIT.

[Contratrombone64]

Judy - here, as promised, a link to the beautiful looking Mander organ at Sydney Grammar School.

http://www.mander-organs.com/portfolio/sydney-g-s.html

[marval]

Hi CT

That is some organ for a grammar school.

Hope the concert was as good as it sounded.


Margaret

[methodistgirl]

Contra, that is the size organ they have at my church and I used to play
this organ. Look at my avatar.
judy tooley

[Krummhorn]

What a marvelous installation ... and a delightful stop list, too, certainly capable of the literature being performed. I especially like the design where the swell shutters are allowed to open 90° - wish that were possible with my Möller at church.

[Contratrombone64]

I attended the concert last night, it was marvellous. Not surprising that a school should have such an instrument, however, and as Sydney private schools go, it's a modest one. My alma mater (the King's School) has a wonderful Pogson organ which is much larger, but then again it's hall is more than twice the size of Grammar's.

The performance

Just about as good as it gets, delightful registrations (considering the limited stop list) and beatifully executed. There was the Grammar School's boy's choir who sang the chorales for the three Passion Chorales (BWV681, 621 and 622 see my sticky thread at the top of this illustrious forum for my typesetting of these works) then the organ played Bach's music. Not distracting at all and a nice touch. The boys were all in year 6 and 7, so around 12 to 13 years old.

The organ

It was actually donated to the school by a chap, who was obviously an ex-Sydney Grammar student. What a gift!! My only criticisim is this: what a shame they didn't use and Australian Organ builder. Now, before you all collectively grind your teeth and roll your eyes, Mander is a fine company, and this is the first organ they've built in the southern hemisphere.

The voicing of the instrument is splendid and for such a small beast it boasted two 16' reed stops (one on the Pedal and the other on the Swell). Loved it, I chatted with the organist at the end and thanked him for his marvellous playing. He's a lecturer at the University of Queensland (Brisbane), I can't wait to see the students he fosters, if they're anything like their master, they'll be fine players.

The stop list

Great
Open Diapason 8'
Stopped Diapason 8'
Principal 4'
Fifteenth 2'
Mixture IV
Trumpet 8'
Swell
Gedackt 8'
Viola da gamba 8'
Voix Celeste 8' (tenor C)
Principal 4'
Chimney Flute 4'
Fifteenth 2'
Sesquialtera II
Bassoon 16'
Hautbois 8'
Pedal
Bourdon 16'
Trombone 16'
(the rest borrowed from the great)
Principal 8'
Bass Flute 8'
Fifteenth 4'
Trumpet 8'
Couplers
Great to Pedal
Swell to Pedal
Swell to Great
Accessories
Tremulant to Swell
64 level solid state combination action
Sequencer
Pitch: A=440Hz
Temperament: Valotti
Manuals: C to a (58 notes)
Pedals: C to f (30 notes)
Mechanical key action
Electric stop action
Number of pipes? 1092