What attracted me to the organ was the glorious sound of the Peterborough Cathedral organ. It is still the one I like best although several others have nearly replaced it as 'top dog'.
In the main, parish church organs (to make some sweeping generalisations)
- are small
- are old
- lack brightness
- are dirty (inside)
- have untidy (dusty) consoles
- have pedal boards of various kinds
- are not positioned in the best place
It is small wonder that fewer people are taking up the organ. Those who do aspire - as I did - to play the most difficult/impressive repertoire and preside over large instruments. There are also many more ladies taking up the organ (I may have blogged on this; I forget).
There is nothing as good as hearing a huge organ being played well but the reality is that most organists will find themselves in charge of a modest example. Therein is a skill which I feel I have always had. To make the best of limited resources.
Many organs only have a pedal Bourdon 16'. My first organ teacher once said that he used to draw it as little as possible so that, when it came on, it was a real event.
Size isn't everything.
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