🎵 ORGAN MUSIC from LANCING COLLEGE - The UK's largest school chapel!!

[@mudgebauer]

This organ is fantastic and the church is magnificient. I think this church should be desiginated a cathedral it is so beautiful. The socks should be donated to the Lambeth Palace Library for posterity.

[@KeyserTheRedBeard]

most excellent content BEAUTY IN SOUND | Richard McVeigh. I shattered the thumbs up on your video. Continue to keep up the superb work.

[@beautyinsound]

👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍👍

[@robertfovargue636]

During the 1940's Lancing College pupils and staff evacuated to Herefordshire and the Royal Navy, in the guise of HMS Alfred, used the College primarily to train RNVR recruits - my father was one of them. So it could be a special spiritual experience. Greatly looking forward to hearing the organ and hopefully seeing the chapel.

[@jerrymartin79]

What a superb recital. Such an exciting organ, and you really put it through its paces. I just loved your Bach: those opening runs - like rainfall - perfect!! And Vierne 😍

[@mikeolsonengineer]

Beautiful registration in the first piece! Didn't get to listen to the rest but I am sure it is wonderful! Enjoy your channel!

[@NakedMuso]

I can't believe how clearly defined you managed to make the recording in such a huge space. Enjoyed it very much, and what fine looking instrument too. Thank you.

[@beautyinsound]

Thanks Eddie - that's very kind of you to say! It was rather simple to capture as the chapel is just long and narrow. Places with vast acoustics are harder to capture, as I'll be discussing at my next cathedral visit in October!

[@NakedMuso]

@@beautyinsound I'll look forward to that 👍

[@NakedMuso]

@ALAN BRIGGS Not from there, went to St. Mary's. You?

[@fulcherpj]

Interesting to hear this organ again Richard. I was working for JW Walker and Sons as a voicer during the 80’s and this was one of the instruments I voiced in consultation with John Norman. Thanks so much for this trip down memory lane and for your expert handling of this wonderful music!

[@beautyinsound]

Fantastic! Was the organ built on-site? Can you remember what some of the considerations were when voicing it? Thanks for your comment!

[@fulcherpj]

@@beautyinsound the organ was built in sections in the Walker work shops in Brandon Suffolk. This would have been 1985 when I came back from Australia. Most of the pipework is from the earlier Walker instrument from 1900. This pipework was rescaled and revoiced for the current instrument. The biggest challenge for me in the voicing was dealing with the strangely dry acoustic of such a vast room. We concluded that this was caused by the porous sand stone of the walls. The tonal scheme had to be super English because of the large amount of old pipework used and we worked out from there. During summer 1986 I spent 2 or 3 months on site after the main structure was installed working on the voicing. This was just after the Frobenius was installed down the front.

[@RobinBeaumont]

Very impressive registration management in the Howells. Also liked the bach pedal solo very operatic.

[@kentbloxham3826]

I loved each piece of today’s repertoire, especially he Vierne Finale. You played each piece superbly on this magnificent King of Instruments in this utterly stunning chapels,(I’ve been into many Cathedrals which are appreciably smaller). But, you are right. It is an English Organ and no amount of clever registrations could make it sound French!!

[@martym61]

Enjoyed the recital. What a beautiful chapel.

[@carolynclark1724]

Beautiful recital Richard! The chapel and pipe organ is beautiful!

[@mattleach958]

Dear Richard and Caroline, I observed the photo of the fine cabinetry being built on the new BIS console. I must confess that I almost drooled a little bit (virtually) on the fine oak planking. Thanks to you, we are building an ark of the covenant.

[@beautyinsound]

I've just received more pictures today - more drooling from me too!!

[@mattleach958]

@@beautyinsound Well then, let's see the more pictures of the new console cabinetry please!

[@james.flores]

A great programme, Richard. Thanks for all you do.

[@beautyinsound]

Cheers James - appreciate it! Kudos and muchos respectos (making up words now!) to all that you do too!

[@hamishthegaelic]

Fantastic recital. The sound is just spectacular from that Organ….through my headphones I could almost be there with you. 🙏

[@bfordca]

I love the Vierne. Its a technically difficult piece to play but it sounds very good on this organ. I first played this on the St.Peters Parish church organ back in 1970

[@beautyinsound]

It was the very last piece I played in the whole day, so I was rather exhausted by that point. It was, shall we say, arr. McVeigh! 😉

[@christophersynnott7967]

Wonderful 🌹🙏

[@OrganGuyPhil]

Another wonderful program! That chapel has been on my shortlist for awhile. 😊

[@stevenlester2606]

A fascinating outro, Mr. McVeigh. Coupled with the first piece you ever played on the channel. How well you've perfected the craft.

[@beautyinsound]

Thanks, but I've got a LONG way to go until I've anywhere nearer perfected any of my crafts!!! I'm always striving for improvements though! :)

[@nickmaguire5104]

Looking forward to this organ recital.

[@beautyinsound]

I hope it didn't disappoint, along with VC!

[@Jennieallen415]

This was one of the best VC so far! Beautiful music and beautiful school..

[@danielmkubacki]

I will have to miss this. The 25th is my birthday. I am going to that day with my Mom to Philadelphia to Wanamaker Organ Day. Chamber tour and free organ concerts. Lunching in the City. So I will not be home in time to watch this. Sorry Richard.

[@beautyinsound]

Thanks for letting me know Daniel. Have a GREAT time at Macy’s! Very jealous! Hope to see you on Sunday 😊

[@janemazzola4454]

Happy Belated BIRTHDAY, Mr. Kubacki! What a lovely gift to your mother to spend the day w/her. May you enjoy many more birthdays in good health & happiness! :)

[@ralphchou4719]

Short but sweet, with some of my favourite pieces. A most enjoyable performance indeed!

[@jorybennett5932]

A most enjoyable programme. Thank you

[@mattao01]

You should go to the Tonbridge School Chapel, it probably has the best organ out of all schools in England😉

[@alanolley7286]

That Organ is fairly new as the chapel caught fire in September 1988 and everything was destroyed.

[@nickdouglass421]

As an Alto in the choir at Ardingly College, I remember performing here in the late 60s (Bach's B Minor Mass) together with the combined choirs of Lancing and Hurstpierpoint Colleges---1 performance in esch Chapel. Don't remember much about THIS organ but ours at Ardingly was completely rebuilt during my time by Grsnt, Degens and Rippon. Don't know whst it's like now!!! Have YOU ever played on THAT instrument

[@nickdouglass421]

I remember it had a very Continental steely specification. Never an organist myself but did "turn the pages" for several pupils who went on to positions of note in later life.

[@beautyinsound]

I'd like to visit more of the Woodard chapels - how do they compare with the chapel in Lancing?

[@nickdouglass421]

@@beautyinsound I will reply on Twitter. Have written 2 replies here-- both have vanished!!

[@smoothsilk47]

Always great to hear you play on such a good instrument Richard, your enthusiasm highlights the occasion, I can’t wait to hear this soon in my new house where I can let go on the volume control. All best to you!

[@Mark_Dyer1]

I have always loved this chapel, in the HQ of the Woodard Schools Foundation, Lancing College. It is open to the public; so do visit it. It also featured, during the 'Time of AIDS' (the 1980s) as the location for the TV progamme on 'ANDY'S REQUIEM', composed by the dear, late, Andrew Worton-Steward (1948-1990). Pupils at Lancing are, indeed, fortunate to have so gorgeous a chapel for their worship of the God who was in Jesus of Nazareth.

[@watchtellyinuk]

When was this filmed? Looks suspiciously like the same organ I played while there in 1970. Or is this more recent. I was a pupil under Michael Heart.

[@henryharesdene4164]

That'll be interesting - not often heard... Consists of (IMHO) a raither soggy victoraian instrment coupled to / with something a bit more chiffy and bright 'proper' instrument. I sang with a local choir whicr seems two generations ago - and it was 'fun' - except that a broken window above whistled winf right down my back. Carlo Curly played some "stuff" - hmmmm... OOOH it's Richard playing so it'll be great... I'll try to remember to see whether this concert has any fireworks...

[@beautyinsound]

The Carlo Curly concert - was that the one with David Briggs?

[@henryharesdene4164]

@@beautyinsound - Oh dear, I don't remember it was a generation ago - and there's no one left to remind me! Sorry! I do remember the chuffy Frobenius (sp?) organ coupled to the very sorry Walker box which was similar in voiving (not scope) of the instrument in a Putney parish chirch where I sang (badly) for a few years....

[@tikhonbogomolets2740]

Sir Lord Richard, I thoroughly enjoy everything you put your hands and feet to - Alas, that Walker at Lancing just irritates my ears. I’ve heard it enough times to know that it is not my cup of tea, sorry. : - ( However, your rendition of the Howell’s Rhapsody on your home instrument gives me goosebumps every time I listen to it. In fact, your rendition of it reminds me of John Scott’s version at St. Paul’s - Absolutely divine! It gobsmacks me so completely as to make me lose my balance. Yes, It’s That Superb... Respectfully yours...

[@davidwright640]

@@beautyinsound I was one of the lucky ones to attend the dedication recital of the new 1972Ruffatti organ installed in Christ the King Cathedral in Atlanta, GA The premier concert was by a very young 20 year old Carlo Curly. It was a very raucous and bold concert on a very loud Ruffatti

[@henryharesdene4164]

I'd challenge your assertion as to 'largest' school chapel? Wharra bout Hurstpierpoint? A bit wider and with a gallery (but possibly not as good an organ - as it's hidden to one side - but then what do I know - I'm only a n occasional 'local' amateur choir member...

[@brockbankc]

Henry - with respect - consult the Guinness Book of Records? Last time that I looked (about 2 years ago?) Lancing College was the largest 'School' Chapel in the world - ie School meaning for pupils 18 years of age and younger. I seem to think that Guinness classed Christ Church Chapel, Horsham as the second largest Chapel? West Point Military Academy is the largest 'School' Chapel in the world but pupils are aged over 18 years of age.

[@astian_sebus]

I'm suprised how little sound/reverb from the chapel itself is audible. Is it because of a difficult recording situation (I know how hard it is to capture such a large room) or is there simply not this much reverb?

[@beautyinsound]

It isn’t an ideal acoustic - the local stone tends to absorb the sound. The lower frequencies seemed to be less affected by the stone, but the high frequencies don’t bounce around as much. I had 4 microphones - 2 directional near the organ and 2 omnis in the body of the church which captures the ambience/acoustic. Listen to VC tomorrow for a fuller overview of the organ and chapel 😊

[@astian_sebus]

@@beautyinsound Thanks for the answer! I'm looking up to the VC!

[@brockbankc]

Richard - you didn't mention that the action is tracker?

[@beautyinsound]

I do mention it in tonight’s Virtual Church - worth watching to see and hear more about the organ 👍

[@brockbankc]

@@beautyinsound Not forgetting the gorgeous 2 manual Frobenius tracker in the Choir, plus the fact that you can play the Walker from the Frobenius as well!!

[@beautyinsound]

Yep - mention all of that tonight....

[@brockbankc]

@@beautyinsound Good man!!

[@johnmackay4515]

You have a drone camera too?!

[@beautyinsound]

Not yet, but I’m about to get one. I’m just waiting to see if DJI release a new one soon as some people are suggesting. I’ll definitely be using one for future episodes of Organ Recitals and Virtual Church!

[@johnmackay4515]

@@beautyinsound how did you get the tracking shot high up in the nave then?

[@beautyinsound]

By walking around the triforium with the verger

[@PMS1950]

It's an impressive organ (I attended its inaugural recital) but unfortunately the acoustic, for such a barn of neo Gothic columns etc, is a tad dissapointing, although this might actually help with the clarity of some faster passages.