SOME SURPRISING STOPS (…for a small pipe organ)

Visiting the organ at St Helen's Church in the village of Kelloe, Durham, UK.
1 manual "Tracker Action" pipe organ rebuilt by Church & Company in 1977 (according to church documents, although dated as 1975 on NPOR)
Full History & Specification: npor.org.uk/su...
PLEASE SUBSCRIBE, LIKE AND COMMENT - MANY MORE "ORGANIC VISITATIONS" TO COME!
ROYALTY FREE MUSIC
"Crediting isn't required, but linking back is greatly appreciated and allows music authors to gain exposure."
Music: Chapel and Church Organ Prelude - Intro - in D-Major
Source: pixabay.com/mu....
Artist: JuliusH

[@mattleach958]

A good small organ. Thank you for the demo.

[@OrganicVisitations]

Thank you too! 🎹👍

[@neilrobinson1761]

Also great to see a plaque on the organ dedicated to Hazel Callan who played that organ for many years.

[@OrganicVisitations]

I’m trying to arrange that for this week. I’ve had a couple of busy weeks, hence why no videos, but a bit more time on my hands this coming week. Watch this space 😊👍🎹

[@paulgodman7939]

The twelfth and Cornet are limited range due to the harmonic problems they would cause in the lower octaves. The 842 22/3 and Cornet when combined has a more Reedy sound - so although the organ doesnt actually have a Reed - that combination, with the 12th and 17th sounding creates a pseudo reed. This is much how all the additive synthesis Electronic organs actually produce sounds. Great Video. Thanks!

[@paulgodman7939]

and also with the Cornet terminating at Middle C# you can create a solo voice with a reedy tone for Cornet and even Trumpet voluntaries with a different tonal quality in the left hand. The Stanley, Boyce, Goodwin etc etc voluntaries would sound amazing on this instrument.

[@OrganicVisitations]

Thank you for that information! This is why I find comments so helpful. Thanks again 👍🎹

[@davidcraggs3770]

I am afraid I am not impressed. I have never been keen of Nigel Church Instruments. Short compass stops and cheap materials etc. I can image the Bishop organ was of better quality and tone. It should have been rebuilt as it was originally. Glad I don’t have to play it.

[@OrganicVisitations]

@davidcraggs3770 I kind of agree - they would be great house organs - but this one I liked. I find the Nigel Church organs 'comforting' somehow. I have a great organ coming later in the week, David. I suspect you'll be impressed with that one 🙂 Look out for the video...

[@yeety1208]

indeed, mutation stops especially in cornets create a nice reedy sound that could be used instead or with actual reeds for solo or even chorus. they only work higher up though as in lower octaves they would be much more prominent compared to the fundamentals and wouldn't sound good

[@louisglen1653]

Thanks for another interesting organ! I also love the mouse organist! A very nice touch!

[@OrganicVisitations]

Isn’t it just!

[@TheProsaicCult]

you have great content.

[@OrganicVisitations]

Thank you 🙏

[@user-hk5hi4yb9l]

You made it. Keith would be pleased to see you. Looking forward to your next visitation.

[@OrganicVisitations]

I didn’t meet Keith in person, just spoke to him on the phone, but met two lovely ladies in the church who even made me a coffee to warm me up! It was -2 in there and snowing ❄️🥶 Thanks for the tip off - keep em coming 👍🎹

[@user-hk5hi4yb9l]

Ok. Pleased you enjoyed. Nice video.

[@neilrobinson1761]

Would be great if you could visit Saint Marys Coxhoe the next village to kelloe which has a fine Harrison and Harrison organ.

[@OrganicVisitations]

Thank you for the suggestion! I’ll look into that one 👍🎹

[@TB76Returns]

What a surprising little visit. I also know of another organ from the same builder, Church & Co. It is St Mary Magdalene Trimdon, having seen a picture on Wikimedia Commons of it. It only has 5 stops so should be worth a little visit.

[@OrganicVisitations]

There are a few kicking around and all very similar. Nice organs 👍🎹

[@TB76Returns]

@@OrganicVisitations Yeah, but do check Trimdon out

[@johnwilson-mr6pw]

I was going to ask what the actions was, especially as the organ had been rebuilt in the 70s. However, I read the notes and I see it is a tracker organ action. It sounds sweet enough and no doubt ideal for this small, but very attractive little church. However, I don't think the organ would do much for Cesar Frank's master works!! Anyway thanks again for the video which do so like.

[@OrganicVisitations]

No, not sure the Widor would sound too good either, but I agree, a nice little organ for where it is 👍🎹

[@benjamindaniel8467]

Do you have any of the C. H. Trevor “Old English Organ Music for manuals” books? You’ll find some Cornet voluntaries amongst the pieces (see, for example, one by John Travers on MuseScore). The Cornet finishing at middle C# will allow you to solo a melody whilst the left hand accompanies. I suppose you may have to make the odd alteration if the left hand goes above middle C, but (not having a great deal of experience of the genre) I’m assuming that this is how the organ was designed to be used.

[@OrganicVisitations]

I think I have got some of those books - I’ll have to dig them out! Thanks for the C# suggestion. Makes sense 👍🎹

[@benjamindaniel8467]

@@OrganicVisitations there are some pretty pieces amongst them, for example the Flute Piece by William Hine, which you can play on a single Flute 4 stop.

[@russellwaite5874]

It is quite surprising for a smaller instrument. By the way, I've noticed certain "extras" on quite a lot of organs. In this case, it appears to be a small mouse playing a tiny organ. Is this an organist mascot or what ?.

[@OrganicVisitations]

Very eagle eyed…well spotted! Yes, that’s exactly what it is. I thought it was part of the design at first but seems to be a cute little keepsake 👍🎹

[@jean-paul7251]

What an odd stop selection

[@OrganicVisitations]

Yes, they caught me by surprise. Bright and cheerful instrument, although not everybody's 'cup of tea' 🙂🎹

[@fluteceleste]

no 16ft in the manual😮 😂😂😂

[@OrganicVisitations]

Afraid not 😆

[@nicholas_scott]

@@OrganicVisitations That is very strange. Even small wicks organs will at least have a 16' free reed. The 8' open sounds great, but it seems like it would have been better served making that a closed 16' or making to bottom octave 16" haskels ?

[@OrganicVisitations]

@@nicholas_scott Yes, I agree! A 16' would certainly 'enhance' the pedals. I was going to say that the organ isn't physically big enough to accommodate a 16' rank but in fact there is tons of space at the back to add a 16' Bourdon or the like, perhaps just the bottom octave. It would make the pedals much richer.

[@andrewmarvell4604]

What an obnoxious little scream machine!

[@OrganicVisitations]

😅