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Finally, My Pipe Organ is Fixed!

N

n4gix

SOH-CM-2016
Finally, after what seems like months (it was only two weeks) I got my "MIDIfied Pipe Organ" working again. In celebration, I would like to share an .mp3 recording of the first piece of music I played on it. It is my own arrangement of "God of Our Fathers."

Caution! This is very loud as I pulled out practically all the stops on this.

Positiv Manual: Trompette en chamade
Great Manual: Tutti (this means everything!)
Pedals: pedal reeds & bombarde

http://n4gix.home.comcast.net/~n4gix/God_of_our_Fathers_Postlude.mp3

This is a customized Conn Artiste two manual, full pedalboard, MIDIfied console. It is powered by three P4 3.2 computers, running custom SoundFonts I have digitally recorded from some of the world's finest pipe organs.

Because of cascading hardware failures, I had to rebuild the three 'puters, install Vista32 on 'em, and then pull the ancient Sound Blaster AWE64 cards because they are no longer supported by Vista (no driver for 'em!) I had to code my own SoundFont loader software so I could use the default on-board "sound card."
 
Ya tickled those ivories pretty darned good, Padre!

Your mp3 brought my wife in from the other room...she played that in church as a teen. She said you sound very professional. :applause:
 
dogknot said:
Ya tickled those ivories pretty darned good, Padre!

Your mp3 brought my wife in from the other room...she played that in church as a teen. She said you sound very professional. :applause:
Click to expand...

Thanks, Brent...

I have had to (re) arrange a lot of my interpretations for "One and Three/Fifths Hands and Two Feet..." Almost forty years ago I was attacked by a drunk patient (I was moonlighting as an EMT while studying the organ) and lost the use of three fingers on my right (dominant) hand. Through a lot of practice, I've regained most of the use of my middle finger (the finger-finger, it's very important ya know!), so that's why I call it my "3/5ths hand." :isadizzy:

I was well on my way to becoming a classical organist, and had high hopes for a successful career as a professional. For a long time I managed to supplement my income by private tutoring, but there's not many who want to invest the time and money for private lessons any more...

I'm glad you enjoyed it! I do love my pedals! Here's an arrangement for (mostly) pedals...

Bach's marvelous pedal dance, http://n4gix.home.comcast.net/~n4gix/Pedalexercitium in G minor BWV 598.mp3

Bach wrote this for a student to practice the pedals. Beginning on Principals 16+8, there is an echo on the Pedal 8 Principal alone, then the 4' Octav is added and for the echo the 8 Principal is withdrawn; then the Mixtur is added as well as the restored Principal 8; for an echo effect the Mixtur is withdrawn. There is no mistaking the pedal reed entrance - restored Mixture + 16 Dulcian + 8 Trompet, with an echo which withdraws the Trompet. Finally, full pedal: the Skalmeje 4 (this is usually called a Schalmei) crowns the entire division

Just so no one thinks all I play is "bombastic," here's something a bit more pastoral and easy...

http://n4gix.home.comcast.net/~n4gix/BWV663.mp3

From the Leipzig Chorales (The 18), this sparkling trio is based on the chorale theme (often translated "To God Alone Be Glory"), which is briefly stated in the pedal at the end Registration: RH Hoofdwerk Rohrfluit 8' + Speelfluit 4' + Quint 3' + Mixtuur 4-6 St.); LH Rugwerk Fluit Does 8' + Prestant 4' + Octaaf 2' + Quint 1-1/3'; Pedal Prestant 8' + Octaaf 4', with Bourdon 16' + Roerquint 6' + Cornet 2' added for Chorale (- Cornet 2' for Pedal Point at end). Kellner Temperament.

<!--IBF.ATTACHMENT_1584356-->
 
There is nothing like the real thing - especially when they hit those low, low bass notes that come up through your boots !

Here is a nice one I came across in my travels - wonder if anyone knows where this is ?

P5250203.jpg
 
Sounds great! You said 2 manuals? How many (virtual) ranks?

I once worked here: http://www.atos.org/Pages/Residences/Sanfilippo/Sanfilippo.html during the construction of the gentlemans 5 manual, 80 rank, theatre organ and music room. I didn't have any appreciation of pipe organs before I started there, but I sure had an "on the job" education as to what went into them, despite the fact that I was "only" there to help restore his steam powered equipment.

Jeff
 
WuhWuzDat said:
Sounds great! You said 2 manuals? How many (virtual) ranks?

I once worked here: http://www.atos.org/Pages/Residences/Sanfilippo/Sanfilippo.html during the construction of the gentlemans 5 manual, 80 rank, theatre organ and music room. I didn't have any appreciation of pipe organs before I started there, but I sure had an "on the job" education as to what went into them, despite the fact that I was "only" there to help restore his steam powered equipment.
Click to expand...

I'm familiar with this organ, but haven't managed the right connections yet to be invited for a visit... :icon_lol:

Although I only have two manuals, there are a total of 120 virtual ranks, all of which may be coupled to either of the two manuals or the pedals. I also have buttons under the two manuals that will switch them instantly to a new stop combination, so that they can use the voices required to emulate any one of several manuals.
 
I've done some further tweaking of the trompette en chamade as I think it was too "brassy" in the first recording. Here's something that's "not Bach" after some "tweaking" of the en chamade voice.

Menuet from Suite Gothique

Menuet from Suite Gothique
Léon Boëllmann
This is a spirited wedding recessional designed for a large group to exit the church. Instrument: Marcussen & Son Organ / St. Stefanuschurch / Moerdijk (Noord-Brabant, The Netherlands)
 
nice! :jump: congrats on your accomplishment from a fellow organist! (I have an Allen in my music room and play a Rogers at church)

Wonderfull arrangement of God of Our Fathers -- I played that hymn just a few weeks ago at church. :d

- dcc
 
Lionheart said:
Awesome music Bill.

I never knew this, your accident and all.

Some amazing music Sir.
Click to expand...

Bill, I was so full of "self-pity" that for nearly three years I wouldn't even go close to an organ...

...then one day, I watched a rerun of the MASH episode where a classical pianist who'd been drafted and had lost his right hand entirely was "counseled" by Major Winchester...

...who'd ordered some sheet music scored for left hand only and "tricked" the fellow into playing it for him.

After that, my self-pity evaporated like the silly nonsense it was. After all, I still had use of both feet, my left hand, and the thumb and forefinger of the right!

Here then is "Fanfare for the Risen Christ!" which I composed for the first Easter following my "spiritual resurrection..." :engel016:

http://n4gix.home.comcast.net/~n4gix/Fanfare_for_the_Risen_Christ.mp3

I arranged this so that it may be played using only two fingers on the right hand (well, thumb and first finger). I've long since regained the use of my middle finger, and can even get some limited use of the ring and little fingers, but they remain weak and somewhat unreliable... :icon_lol:
 
dcc said:
nice! :jump: congrats on your accomplishment from a fellow organist! (I have an Allen in my music room and play a Rogers at church)

Wonderfull arrangement of God of Our Fathers -- I played that hymn just a few weeks ago at church. :d

- dcc
Click to expand...

Thanks! Man, I'd love to have an Allen! What model?

When I was stationed in Palisades Park, NJ we had just taken delivery of a custom built three manual Allen that was commissioned by some church in Pennsylvania who had to back out of their contract because they didn't receive enough donations to cover the final delivery... (sorry 'bout the run-on sentence!)...

Anyway, I only had a few short months to have fun with it before I was reassigned to Harlingen, Texas.
 
familton said:
Hi Bill. Sounds GREAT!!! Thanks for sharing it with us. Best regards, Bob.
Click to expand...

Thanks, Bob. I think that I may set up a webpage where I can simply point folks who might like to have a listen, rather than randomly posting links in various threads.

I'm sure the administrators would be happier!

Just to prove I'm not a stuffed shirt who never has any fun at all, picture this...

I once played this for the Recessional after Mass one Sunday many years ago...

http://n4gix.home.comcast.net/~n4gix/justacloserwalkjazzed_2.mp3
 
lefty said:
There is nothing like the real thing - especially when they hit those low, low bass notes that come up through your boots !

Here is a nice one I came across in my travels - wonder if anyone knows where this is ?
Click to expand...

That certainly looks very familiar, but I can't place it offhand...

It certainly is beautiful!
 
Hi Bill. Please put me on the list if you setup a site. I love organ music. I loved the jazzed up music. Best regards, Bob.
 
The beautiful organ is in the cathedral in Helsinki (This must be Finnish week - see other thread !)
 
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