LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

Sir,
The editorial of the July Reporter deplores the use of portable box-organs in modern performances of Baroque sacred music. While I agree that their use is usually unsatisfactory, the implication that this is the fault of the groups concerned is not entirely fair. The problem is that virtually none of the major concert venues in Britain has organs suitable for Baroque music, and even when there is one , as at St John's, Smith Square in London, it is invariably at modern pitch and set in equal temperament.
   What, then, is to be done? One solution is for period instrument groups to commission and use larger but still portable instruments, and in particular to support those makers who have suitable instrument for hire. It is sad, for instance, that the splendid Italian-style organ by Goetze & Gwynn now at St Jude's, Hampstead Garden Suburb, has not been used more for concerts and recordings. It is a perfect continuo instrument for Italian music from Monteverdi to Vivaldi, and would also work extremely well in much Northern European music of the period. However, another solution would be for the organ-building community to take account of the needs of period instrument groups when new instruments are planned. It would be wonderful to have just one sizeable organ in a major concert venue that is in unequal temperament, at A=415 or A=465, and positioned in the building so that it can be used with orchestras and choirs. Perhaps BIOS should use its collective influence with builders and their clients to get an instrument of this sort built.

Peter Holman,

Sir,
BIOS members will be aware that in St John's in the Square, Wolverhampton we have a noted Renatus Harris organ concerning which a great deal has been written, some of it true, some conjecture and some pure fable. Recently the instrument has been restored by Trevor Tipple of Wolverhampton, and an organ recital to mark this work will be given by Roger Fisher in November.
   The project is being carried out in stages. For the present the Great Organ and Swell Organ have been dismantled and restored; the Choir Organ will have to wait until funds are available. During the work it was found that the case was insecurely fixed to the back wall and some timely repairs prevented the real possibility of a heap of scrap wood and metal landing in the body of the church.
   We now have a well-restored organ that we are assured will last well into the future. However, since it was first set up in this church it seems to have needed major attention every twenty-five years, but I just read the records, which seem to bear out my prejudices.
   I have written an up-to-date account of the organ from information available from the records held in the Public Record Office at Stafford, and from an expert assessment by David Wickens. I will be glad to send anyone a copy of the booklet on receipt of a cheque for £2.50.

Peter Hickman,
Church Secretary, 12 Rowan Crescent, Bradmore, Wolverhampton WV3 7HL

Sir,
My research has revealed that in the 1880s there were three generations of organ-builders in the Abell Family. The first organ-builder was John Abell who resided in London and was born in the late 1700s. His son, William, was married at St James's, Picadilly, and at that time lived at Vigo Street off Regent Street. William's son, William Henry, was born at 3 Smith Street, St Pancras, in 1849. Soon after some members of the family moved to Dublin. In addition, I found a Christian John Abell, an organ-builder, at Burrell's Yard, Norwich; he was born in 1788 and his children were baptised at St Pancras; could he be the same John as previously mentioned?
   The William Henry organ-builder was born in London and appears in the 1881 Census at 1 Anson Street, Hulme, Manchester. Nearby, at 12 Sydenham Place, was his brother, George, also an organ-builder but born in Dublin. They lived close to no less than five other organ-building firms: George Fields; William Holms; Jardine & Co; W.E.Richardson & Sons; and Alexander Young & Sons. I think it probable that William and George were employed at one or other of these firms rather then being in business on their own account. I have reason to believe that there were other Abell organ-builders. I am anxious to establish more about the Abell family in London. Norwich and Dublin and whether there are any Abell organs. Any information will be most welcome.

G.W. Timmington

Return to Index Page for this issue

Return to Reporter Index Page