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David Bridgeman-Sutton's article this month reveals, for the first time, the stunning pioneering work in tonal organ sonority using digital abriltolo felinocular infrawire. Here he has transcribed an exclusive interview by his assistant, Bessye Lechatte.	Welcome to the website of the Rieger in the Christchurch Town Hall, New Zealand Musings & Amusings index
Overshadowed by vast machinery, the modifier for Sydney Town hall is under guard in Nigaud Frères factory.	TECHNICAL UPDATE Bessye Lechatte visited Nigaud Frères factory and spoke to the Managing Director about recent developments. Henri Nigaud: "Here we have the only completed example of our tone modifier. As you know, surfaces reflect or absorb sound to varying degrees. In this elegant container, there are many materials that may, in various combinations, be exposed to the sound of the instrument. Each combination has a unique influence on the tone. If material A is combined with B it may lessen the volume of a clarinet stop by absorption : C combined with D may, by reflection, add to the volume of the flutes. A player may modify the output of a pipe organ as easily as that of an electronic instrument. Many new registrations become possible."
Bessye Lechatte:	May I see inside the container?
HN:	Alas! Not at present. Patent formalities are not yet complete.
BL:	Presumably, these decorated orifices admit sound to and from the modifier?
HN:	Exactly! The shape of the container and the nature of the sound holes is largely immaterial, so the architectural style of any building may be respected. This particular modifier has been designed for Sydney Town Hall. You will see that it will stand as a finial at the top of the central tower.
BL:	It's surprising that the Town hall Authorities have agreed to this change.
HL:	They haven't yet. When we tell them, they will be overwhelmed.
BL:	The very word!
There have been many attempts to make swell pedal control independent of the feet. Bessye Lechatte asked Dr Dulcina Erzähler about the system installed in Katmandu Town Hall.
Dr Dulcina Erzähler:	This was invented by Jagan & Jagan, the well known Karachi organ builders. Instead of swell pedals, we have a radio receiver mounted above the music desk. Signals are sent to this from a hat worn by the player.
Claribel Erzähler wearing her favourite Jagan hat. WARNING: This apparatus should not be used during thunderstorms.	BL: Can you explain a little further?
	DE: Certainly. As you see, the hat has an antenna and the swell shutters open or close according to movement of the player's head. Normally, a gesture to the right opens the box and one to the left closes it. However, a switch is provided reversing this arrangement for the benefit of left-handed players. Some practice in keeping the head still is necessary. The only problem I met was when playing Eraser's new Sonata. This calls for a rapid opening of the box. As I swung to the right, my beads caught on the trumpet stop and threw me off balance. I banged my head on the tuba and had to finish the piece with my nose jammed between a Larigot and a Tierce. BL: How painful! Suppose the hat doesn't fit? DE: Jagan's supply a library of hats in various sizes, styles and colours. The world's leading milliners and hat makers are competing to add to the range.
(Interviews and photographs by Bessye Lechatte). POSTSCRIPT: And if you don't believe a word of all this, check the title of this page...

Feel free to email with questions or feedback	David Bridgeman-Sutton, 2004