Organ-isms: Stories by organists
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Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the World of the King of Instruments
More than 120 men and women - from concert artists to Sunday church organists - tell of the trials and triumphs of playing what can be the most difficult instrument in the world. Whimsical, often poignant and frequently funny, these tales prove there is nothing 'organised' or routine about the lives they lead. Fellow organists will rejoice to learn they are not the only ones to have had ciphers at the wrong times or fallen asleep during a service - or worse!
If you want to read more and discover what all the fuss is about, go to www.pipelinepress.com or do a google search for ISBN 978-0-473-14286-5.
Contents at a Glance
Latest reviews and comments about "Organ-isms"
From the website Review of Arts, Literature, Philosophy and the Humanities (AKA The Ralph Mag - USA)- March, 2009"Organ-isms can be very funny. The knowledge of the contributors is staggering, though sometimes the language can bamboozle the everyday reader with words like coupler, trumpet 8ft, tabs, swell, trackers, 32ft Diaphone, Tuba Mirabilis and, ach du lieber, Der Fuchsschwanz . . . But it is a feast of musicians and high-class music: Bach, Diabelli, Handel, Max Reger, Thomas Tallis, Orlando Gibbon, and to my surprise, Olivier Messiaen." Read more : http://www.ralphmag.org/FM/organ-playing.html
Pipe organ-related links
- Pipe Organ in the Christchurch Town Hall, New Zealand
- This Pipe Organ website is packed with photos, mp3 files, facts, word puzzles, music-themed gifts etc about the Rieger organ in the Christchurch Town Hall, New Zealand, and is updated often. Especially after the 2010 and 2011 earthquakes that have shaken Christchurch to its foundation and has destroyed thousands of homes and dozens of pipe organs. Here you will find updates on the status of organs in Canterbury and Christchurch.
- Organ anecdotes book
- Where you can learn more about this hugely popular book, and where you can buy it, including online.
- Organlive.com
- Tune InSponsorsBecome a SponsorMusic DonorsSubmit your MusicF.A.Q.Organlive StoreLink GraphicsContact OrganliveHomeNewsNow PlayingScheduleRecently PlayedSearch PlaylistNew Additions A broadband connection is required to tune into Organlive. Our audio stream is broadcast at 96 kbps in MP3Pro form
- Organ Recitals
- Where you will find out about all organ concerts in the UK. A marvellous resource.
- Organ Focus
- Another wonderful resource for organ concerts but these are more global and include those in North America.
What's your view?
I like to hear from organists and of course love to hear their funny stories. So how many of you reading this play the organ?
The latest anecdotes...
Stories told to me recently
Featured Lenses
YouTube related organ vids
Bits and bats of oddments loosely (very) connected with the organ
Some of my other Lenses
Other books about organs, organists, and organ music
Organ items on eBay
Guestbook Comments
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poutine
Nov 17, 2011 @ 6:05 pm | delete
- I enjoyed the story about the organ tuner.
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jwncoexists
Oct 30, 2011 @ 6:31 pm | delete
- This book sounds like a wonderful opportunity for me to get a humorous glimpse into a world I don't know much about. Great lens!
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Churchmouse
Oct 30, 2011 @ 8:56 pm | delete
- Thanks for your lovely comment - yes, that's exactly why the book was written - bingo! :-)
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by Churchmouse
Churchmouse was born in a small country town in the North Island of New Zealand. Although she has played organs in churches of various denominations f... more »
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Amazon Spotlight Personal Review
I know I'm biased, but. . .
Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the World of the King of Instruments
Amazon Price: $27.95 (as of 06/04/2012)
"Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the World of the King of Instruments" was compiled by me, I will admit. But the real heroes and heroines of this book are those musicians and music lovers who laid bare their embarrassments, woes, joys, fears - their very souls - to provide an insight into one of the world's most amazing music instruments: the organ. Over 120 people supplied their anecdotes, with such a staggering array of subjects. The famous names contributed too, and every reader will identify with the goofs, the weird happenings and yes, the ordinary delights that happen to us all at some stage in that organ loft.
On a personal note, it gave me great heart to hear from the people who have made a complete lifetime career with organs and yet who still find it can get the better of them. And then, there are the stories about the people who simply want to make the life of an organist more difficult than it already is. Oh, you simply have to read it...
Other musician links
