Don @ the (Newly Restored) Organ
After teaching yesterday morning, and administrative work with Mayte, and after physical therapy with Cara, I met up with Karina, Maureen, and Christina for Friday fellowship at the Newman Center. We met Dorothy, Karina's friend from the Pathology department at UPMC. After many announcements, I drove the crowd (sans Dorothy) to St. Paul Cathedral...We spotted Don in the parking lot, too, and chatted ever-so-briefly.
As part of the Cathedral Concert Series, Don Fellows presented A Recital Demonstrating the Newly Restored Cathedral Organ last night. Because we were one of the last loft-bound seating groups, we sat in the westernmost part of the loft. I took some photos during the lecture/demo, which included the specifications of the 1962 Rudolf von Beckerath Organ. It is restored as close to the original intentions of the organ builder: "This organ is, musically speaking, in completely original condition," as George Taylor, of Taylor & Boody, the restoring firm, wrote.
Don spoke about the capabilities and restoration of the organ before the pieces in the program, and spoke about the organ after the program:
Petite Suite ~ Introduction, Intermezzo, Finale (Gerald Bales, 1919-2002)
Chaconne in E minor (Dietrich Buxtehude, 1637-1707)
Variations on a Dance Theme ~ Balletto del granduca (J.P. Sweelinck 1562-1621)
Vivace, from Trio Sonata VI for Organ, BWV #530 (J.S. Bach, 1685-1750)
Prelude and Fugue in A Minor, BWV #543 (J.S. Bach)
Chorale #3 in A Minor (Cesar Franck, 1822-1890)
Cantilena from Sonata #11, Opus 148 (J. Rheinberger, 1839-1901)
Finale from Symphony I for Organ (Louis Vierne, 1870-1937)
~~~~~
Don introduced us to the various pipes in the organ, by describing them verbally, visually with a laser pointer, and aurally by hearing the sets of pipes. He talked about the eight-foot pipes when describing what we would hear during the first Bach piece:
Great - Principal 8 foot
Ruckpositiv -
Quintadena 8 foot
Rohrflote 8 foot
Blockflote 8 foot
Pedal - Octave 8 foot
~~~
He described the Principal pipes, which "are like the strings, [the backbone of the orchestra,] the meat and potatoes" of the orchestra; before he played the second Bach piece.
~~~
Before my favorite piece of the evening (the Rheinberger), he spoke of using the two quietest sets of pipes:
Great - Koppelqedackt 8 foot
and
Pedal - Subbasse 16 foot
Don spoke of the desire of Paul Koch (a previous music director) to include the Koppelqedackt in the design of the organ.
~~~~~
Don spoke of how some of the original mostly-zinc pipes were replaced with more tin-bearing pipes, and how the foot of many pipes were enforced with copper. The rest of the pipes were cleaned, grind, washed, and lacquered to prevent oxidation. He also spoke about the how some of the cases bearing the organ pipes were reinforced with a thick layer of plywood at the back to enhance the original intentions about voicing that von Beckerath had---to improve the overall tone of the instrument. Some of the pipes (up to 600 pounds of metal each) were causing undue vibrations in the organ case during play.
All in all, a wonderfully informative concert, brilliantly, emotively played pieces. The evening at the Cathedral concluded with saying hello to Linda O, a cantor, Charles and Susan (who has a new cat, Moses's sis/friend), Dan, Fred, (both formerly of choir), and other choristers. Also saw Joe and Tina there.
Four of us headed to Gullifty's for a snack and jazz after the performance: Maureen, Karina, Nancy, and I...I drove.
Labels: cat, music, organ, St. Paul Cathedral, voice
How Dedicated Are You
I had a discussion with my long-time friend, Julie, this morning. Amidst talk of family matters (and that matter of the cat getting trapped in the wall during renovations), we spoke about finding a life partner. I described the bimodal age distribution of available men in my geographic area to her---and my existence in the space between the peaks. Julie suggested using a dating service to expedite matters...either on-line or in-person.
"But," I exclaimed, "I believe in the network---that Network of people whom I know---to help me find someone."
"It depends on how much time you have and how dedicated you are to finding someone," she replied, simply.
"Well, I'm in no rush," I stated.
I'm actually pretty relaxed about the whole process. It's probably because I'm willing to accept whatever fate I end up with, as I'm happy with my life as it is now: Mentoring young people. I feel no pressing need to have a "different life."
Labels: cat, friends, list, love, philosophical, teaching
Feast of the Holy Family 2008
Dad noted that today would be the Mass for the Holy Innocents in the Philippines. The choir sang from the choir loft again...with Christina cantoring from the altar
Angels we have heard on high
Proulx's Community Mass Gloria
Psalm 128 Chepponis/DKF
Christmastime Alleluia by Chepponis
Coventry Carol arranged by Shaw
Proulx's Eucharistic Adorations
Isele's Lamb of God
What Child is This? and
Noel We Sing by Daquin/KD
God Rest You Merry Gentlemen
Most all of the organ pipes were in place and we were pleased with the sounds which were directed over and past us in the loft to the receptive congregation below.
~~~~~
After Mass we found our way to the Waterfront, and decided against the breakfast bar at Eat N Park and for the sandwiches at Steak N Shake.
Upon arrival at home, I napped heavily.
We watched Girl, Interrupted, a movie starring and produced in part by Winona Ryder. Quite dramatic, based on the adventures of a young woman on a hospital ward in the 1960s.
~~~~~
~9PM
Dad and I are watching The Sound of Music, a family favorite.
Labels: Boston area, cat, Choir, Christmas, Church, cinema, citizenship, dining, family, ice cream, music, organ, St. Paul Cathedral
Hello Kitty (Snowball); and Lisa's Celebration
Stopped by to visit Snowball today. He was so glad to see me, he ran up to me and rubbed up against me. I told Mom that I think he suffers from a jealousy of the children, as well as a dearth of patting.
Today it was well over 65 degrees Fahrenheit--the car's outside thermometer showed it at 72 degrees Fahrenheit this afternoon! The radio this morning mentioned that we may get close to record temperatures today...unseasonably warm temperatures.
Mom and I did some shopping this afternoon, and I'll be going to Lisa's celebration this evening.
~~~
10 AM Sunday
Lisa's celebration was fun! Don drove, while his GPS directed slightly posthandedly to me (who had directions from Ken). Quite the scene, with the GPS with an accent! ("That's rihght!") We arrived after Doug, Judi, and Mary Pat, as well as some of their neighbors. A bevy of friends from the local parish and neighbors arrived. We shared a plethora of appetizers, we "OOoo-ed and Aah-ed" about the tree and train set (as well as the action-figure Jesus), then progressed to the desserts. I tried almost all, and I particularly enjoyed the homemade raspberry-chocolate bars. After a chat with Fred, who arrived from Virginia despite a failed differential, we retired to the living room with birthday songs, carols (from a booklet copyright 1948), and a "march" entitled "Christ the King." I saw part of an organ pipe from the restoration (which Ken had someone mount upright on a plate). Quite the conversation piece.
We travelled back to my house (quite uneventful, as I had a Shirley Temple to preserve my wits as the backseat driver), and agreed I would check out the coat racks (for my coat check girl duty for the conference NEXT week) for possible organization later.
Labels: Birthday, cat, celebration, Choir, family, friends, love, organ, seasons, shopping, singing, St. Paul Cathedral, weather
