The making of the Victorian organ / Nicholas Thistlethwaite.
| Author/creator | Thistlethwaite, Nicholas |
| Format | Book |
| Publication Info | Cambridge ; New York : Cambridge University Press, 1990. |
| Description | xxiv, 584 pages : illustrations ; 26 cm. |
| Subjects |
| Series | Cambridge musical texts and monographs Cambridge musical texts and monographs. ^A261190 |
| Contents | Part I. The English organ in 1820. Continuity and change ; The Thaxted organ ; Specification ; Winding ; Layout and action ; Case and console ; Pipework -- Organs and organ-building, 1820-40. The organ-builders ; Business and workshop ; Churches and organs ; Organ cases -- The insular movement. Introduction ; The background ; Characteristic features -- Three case studies. York Minster, 1802-53 ; Birmingham Town Hall, 1834-40 ; St George's Hall, Liverpool, 1843-55 -- The Bristol reformation. Compasses ; Upperwork ; Pedal organ and pedals ; Swells -- Part II. Bach, Mendelssohn and the English organ, 1810-45. Introduction ; Mendelssohn's advocacy of Bach ; The publication of Bach's organ works in England ; Public performances of Bach's organ music, 1810-45 ; Foreign travel -- The German system. Beginnings ; Gauntlett ; Hill ; Inspiration -- The work of William Hill, 1839-55. Introduction ; St Peter-upon-Cornhill, 1839-40 ; St Mary-at-Hill, 1848 ; Kidderminster Town Hall, 1855 ; Layout and action ; Pipework ; Consoles and cases -- The transition. The builders and the German system, 1840-60 ; Gray & Davison, 1840-51 ; The rise of the concert organ ; Smart and Davison: the 1850s -- Part III. The emergence of the Victorian organ, 1850-70. 1851 and the organ-builders ; Organs and organ-building, 1850-70 ; Ecclesiology ; Casework -- Music and mechanics. Composers, performers and the organ ; Actions ; Other innovations ; Consoles ; The introduction of equal temperament -- German influences, 1855-70. Dissatisfaction with English builders ; Preparing the ground ; Edmund Schulze ; The reception of German influences -- Hill & Son, 1856-70. The firm ; The Ulster Hall, Belfast, 1862 ; St John, Hyde Park Crescent, 1865 ; Stop lists ; Pipework -- Henry Willis. Introduction ; Winchester Cathedral, 1854 ; St George, Preston, 1865 ; Union Chapel, Islington, 1877 ; Stop lists ; Layout and action ; Pipework -- Epilogue -- Appendix 1. Specifications ; Appendix 2. Documents. |
| Abstract | Between 1820 and 1870 a number of influences combined to bring about a radical transformation in the design and use of English organs. This important book provides a comprehensive survey of English organ building during those innovative fifty years in its history. It is richly illustrated with photographs and specially drawn diagrams and contains an invaluable appendix of organ specifications. This is a documentary source book and history that will be indispensable for all those, professionals or amateurs, that have an interest in the organ. |
| Bibliography note | Includes bibliographical references (pages 537-564) and index. |
| LCCN | 89071280 |
| ISBN | 0521343453 |