A Gray & Davison Organ demonstration. The organ of St. George's Frankwell, Shrewsbury - Hugh Walker

[@Muksanim2012]

Very nice overview of the organ. The music you chose for illustration were nice and lively. The organ has what I call a nice mellow and clear tone. You show that it isn't the size or number of pipes, but rather the quality of build and skill of the organist that makes for a great organ. It is always inspiring to see young organists who come up and replace those who are retiring. Thanks for sharing with us. This beats hopping on a plane and then driving around to see the great organs in Europe.

[@rodericfindlay4147]

This is an exceptionally beautiful instrument, and you show it off magnificently.

[@T-41]

Hugh, thanks so much for sharing your talent and knowledge. Very much enjoyed your composition!

[@martinroberts2811]

Many thanks for your excellent demonstration of this rather lovely Gray & Davison Organ. It really does have a nice balance and I would imagine it suits that type of building well. Some very nice sounding stops and it would appear to be in good condition

[@willj7248]

Thanks for this. My father was Vicar there from 1964, so good to learn more about the place and the organ. I must go back to visit. The organist at the time was Bill Arkinstall.

[@mikefitzpatrick1213]

That organ has a nice disposition, but you really make it sound great. Thank you!

[@davidcraggs3770]

Nice sounding organ which is obviously more than adequate for its role as an accompaniment to the congregational singing. I sounds well maintained and tuned. I have a feeling that it may have had a couple of tonal changes since it was built.

[@rivierstad3817]

From Louisville, KY USA, and heard about you on BIS. Thanks for the demonstration.

[@BOA23-]

Ah! Good old BIS!!!

[@philipbaldwin8200]

Excellent organ, organist and demonstration!

[@michaelburton5988]

Grey and Davidson built some lovely smallish organs one of their signature stope is a clarinet flute very unusual but a delight

[@bertspeggly4428]

I'm no expert but the Swell Oboe sounds like a Trumpet to me. Nice organ and nice video.

[@davidcraggs3770]

May I make a small suggestion which is not meant to be derogatory. You demonstrate some quite fine organs with your impressive improvisations but I would like to hear some organ compositions.

[@Xpian]

Well done! I appreciated the stops individually. I was wondering further what stops might have been on the three composition pedals and whether they would have been named, such as Plein Jeu or Grand Jeu, etc.? (I'm assuming the selection is fixed on an organ of that age, and not changeable). Cheers!

[@BOA23-]

The three composition pedals mechanicaly move the stops on the Great division. They are not normally named in the UK, and in this case the pedal on the L.H. side draws more or less the full great inc. mixture and clarinet. I belive the middle one drew the graet Diapasons 8,4&2. The R.H. one I think was just the 8Ft flute and dulciana, but I may be wrong there! They work in both directions; ie adding or removing stops for crescendos or diminuendos. It is also possible to get them changed for different stop combinations (with a screw driver and bits of wood!) although not like modern adjustable combination systems! They are however more adjustable then for example french 'ventils,' which have to stay as built. I will try and do a video on how the combination pedals work in the next few weeks. H.

[@mattleach958]

Thank you Hugh. I assume that you may be friends with Ben Maton?

[@mattnbin]

What a pity the sound is only mono 😢

[@BOA23-]

Yes, I agree: I will have to invest some stage in the future. All the audio coverage of the organ itself was captured by an ipone 8 half way done the nave. Better results than one would expect from that, but still leaving much to be desired! H.

[@mattnbin]

The later iPhones record audio in stereo. And they actually sound pretty good!