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Pipeline Press Newsletter November, 2021

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First time for everything

It was the first time we have had to say "Sorry, sold out" for an organ concert. But this is the Covid era, and things are different. Martin's annual organ curator's concert in the Christchurch Town Hall on October 10th was originally limited to 100 audience members who were quick on the button to bag their tickets, but at the last minute that was raised to a welcome 300. Even so, there was a sizeable waiting list for those hoping to claim an absent seat and yes, 300 people spread around the auditorium were able to enjoy Martin's programme. Nothing beats organ music heard live and we can only hope that the next concert on Queen's Birthday weekend in June 2022 will allow more like the 2500 that the hall can actually seat. Watch this space!

It's that - * cough * cough - time again

Which of course is the run-up time to thanksgiving, Christmas, New Year and all those jolly festive moments. It's the time when I try to order a store of goodies so I don't need to panic about delivery times or even completely forget to buy anything at all. So if you have musical friends and family, remember we have 2 organ CDs (the rest are out of print, sorry) and books that could be just the right present for your tribe. Just do be aware that ordering early is the key to getting your goodies in good time.
Martin's two most recently released CD titles remain in stock:

"Resounding Aftershocks" - The Christchurch Rieger returns in triumph after 9 years languishing during the earthquake recovery. Organ curator Martin Setchell goes from PPP to full-throated roar in an eclectic selection of known and not-so-well known pieces in a fitting display of the restored and enlarged famous organ.
"Cardboard Cathedral Organ Capers" - in lighter vein, Martin plays the Rodgers Infinity in the Christchurch Transitional (Cardboard) Cathedral, demonstrating the instrument's versatility with original organ pieces and transcriptions.
Tracklist and more info

For the organists among you, don't forget Martin's transcrptions published by Oxford University Press, the most recent two of which are:

Verdi Organ Album - Most recent album of transcriptions, including many of Verdi's most popular melodies
Purcell Organ Album - Mixture of well-known and less well-known pieces, suitable for a wide range of concert and church service uses.

As a kind of celebration-of-life-despite-everything, I have uploaded 2 new videos of the Christchurch Town Hall Rieger. In the first, Martin plays his arrangement of "Joy to the World" accompanied by my photos of organs from around the world - a purely random sample so don't be offended if your favourite one isn't featured! (This video replaces an stone-age version, which had rudimentary visuals from the early days of computers - think candles and crank-handles).
The new boy on the block is a compilation of photos from the organ's history, playing to the background of the stunning Lanquetuit Toccata in D Major, from Martin's CD "Resounding Aftershocks". Hope you can get as much pleasure watching, as we did from making these.

Bookworms - take note!

Four books which you might consider taking off our shelves and putting them on others. They all make superb gifts, even for non-organists!

"Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the World of the King of Instruments" - popular collection of stories that will have you laughing out loud. Therefore recommended for reading at anytime except during sermons.
"Organs and Organists: Their Inside Stories" - 416 pages of colour photos, behind the scenes revelations, anecdotes, and cartoons give a compelling and entertaining peek into a hidden world.Think coffee table book crossed with Rupert Bear Annual and Coles Funny Picture books - all with a tongue-in-cheek organ flavour!
"Enigmatic Variations - Puzzles for Musicians" - Mind-stretching, amusing teasers! Logic puzzles, crosswords, wordsearch, sudoku and more. A charmingly illustrated 48-page spiral bound volume.
"Dem Himmel Nahe" - (Looking Up) Pictures only, with introductory text in English, French and German. Glorious organ facades shown against the backdrops of ancient cathedrals or modern concert halls. Stay safely at home while travelling with your eyes! (available from Butz publishers or read more here

For every book sold, Bessie the cat* (See below) gets a treat . . .

Remember that there are also literally thousands of other little gifty, organ-themed things you can find on any one of our online shops: Zazzle, Redbubble, Fine Art America. Calendars, watches, ties, towels, tees, Christmas decorations, cards, jigsaws, totes, duvets,wine bags, nose picks (just kidding - to see if you're listening).
Tons of stuff for your nearest and dearest. At this time of year you will find yourself knee-deep in sales, bargains, discounts etc. And the risible commissions keep me (sorry, Bessie) in cat biscuits.

Win a new organ tutor book!

Have you fancied learning the organ or know someone who would to try? The perfect tutorial book for you would be this "Organ Playing From The Very Beginning" by Carsten Klomp. Playing the organ with no previous experience on the piano – unthinkable! Unthinkable? The seasoned organ teacher Klomp challenges this misconception with his new organ course for beginners that requires no previous theoretical or practical knowledge.We have 2 copies waiting to be won in our November competition. To enter go to our website competition page. Ends November 5th

Notes from the Swellbox

Almost too many to even begin this month. Here, however are a couple.

Are whistles a musical language? Maybe not musical but still a language.Speaking in whistles
Piping Up live anniversary concert. All 5 Tabernacle and Temple Square organists in Salt Lake City performing in the first anniversary of Piping Up program. Fascinating.
You need to look for info on an organ? Any organ? Anywhere? Look no further than this database. Seriously massive. Trust me. Everyone should have it as a shortcut on their computers.
Rowan Atkinson's Invisible Drummer comic sketch is sheer classic genius, carried out by a master of his trade (and even drumming) and has been around for a long time. But an all-time great skit such as this deserves to be aired regularly. We stand in awe.

Please welcome little Bessie, who has helped lift the gloom off our cat-less household. She is a 7-year-old abandoned rescue cat who has transformed from a cringing and defensive creature into a little soccer player worthy of a place in any national side.
We will do our best to make the rest of her life a happy one, filled with treats, organ music, and loads of rubber balls. (Her proof-reading skills are not as good as Kate and Bobby's, but we're working on that.)
Stay safe, everyone, and don't forget to enter the competition!
Jenny