Kist o Whistles

The old Scottish name for the organ "kist o' whistles", invented at the time when Presbyterian piety objected to the introduction of machinery for the worship of God, is actually a good description of the foundation principle of the pipe organ.

The music

The choice of music for this CD was influenced by the romantic-orchestral type of instrument and also by styles of music suitable for performance at a wide variety of functions in the Town Hall, ranging from joyful processionals at civic celebrations and university graduations to solemn and meditative music played on occasions of remembrance.

The recording

This recording was made in three evening sessions in October 1999 and March 2000. A Neumann SM69 Fet microphone was used, suspended about 6m above the stage, about 15m back from the organ case. Recordings were made directly to a Tascam DA-30 MkII DAT tape recorder with no adjustment of the frequency response.

The acuity of the recording is such that minor noises (creaking organ stool or page turning) may be discernable at times. It was felt better to leave these than risk losing recording quality or performance excitement through attempts to eliminate them.

Acknowledgements

The Dunedin Town Hall Organ Trust is grateful to the following:

The Dunedin Centre management and staff for providing access after hours
DCC Property Services for silencing the clock chimes
Elizabeth Goodall for the cover photograph
Peter Stockwell for continuity during recording sessions
Robert Penty of Carob Recordings for the recording work and encouragement
Pam Jordan, Trust Secretary, for expert coordination
Myles Planning Ltd. for support
South Island Organ Company for care of the instrument

Dr Raymond White

Dr Raymond White is a fourth generation New Zealander, the family having emigrated to Dunedin in January 1849 from Stewarton, Ayrshire, Scotland. He is one of New Zealand's most experienced organists and choir directors, having performed in many of the world's musical capitals including Sydney, London, Dublin, Edinburgh, Cologne, Berlin, Vienna and Jerusalem.

Dr White gained music degrees from the Universities of Otago and St Andrews, and diplomas from Trinity College London, the Royal School of Music and the Royal College of Organists. The Royal School of Church Music presented him with its diploma for distinguished service to church music.

As a student in London, he played at the Chapel Royal St James's Palace, and since then he has performed on many notable occasions including music for Archbishops of Canterbury, the Duke and Duchess of Kent, Prime Ministers and Governors-General and the Dalai Lama.

He is director of the Cantores in Ecclesia choir of Dunedin, Dunedin City Organist and organist for the University of Otago graduation ceremonies.

"Kist o' whistles" - the tracks

Sonata de 1 tono para clave o para organo con trompeta real - Jos' Lidon (1752-1827) [Schott & Co.] 4.07
Second Benedictus - Alex Rowley (1872-1958) [Novello] "In quiet contemplation shall peace guide your ways" 5.52
Adagio in G minor on two thematic ideas and a figured bass of Tomas Albinoni (1671-1750) - Remo Giazotto [G. Ricordi & Co.] 9.12
Now again be thou joyful, o my spirit - from Cantata 21: Ich hatte viel Bek mmerniss - J S Bach (1685-1750) arr. Harvey Grace [OUP] 2.49
Komm, ssser Tod (Come, sweet death) from the Schemelli Gesangbuch - J S Bach arr. L H Goddard & Frank Bridge [Mss of late Dr Victor Galway] 3.23
Seht, was die Liebe thus (See what his love can do) - from Cantata 85: Ich bin ein guter hirt - J S Bach arr. Hubert Foss [OUP] 3.39
Arioso - J S Bach arr. Virgil Fox [Bradley Publications] 4.34
Choral Song - S S Wesley (1810-1876) [Novello] 3.15
Es ist ein ros' entsprungen (Behold, a rose is blooming) 3.21
O Welt, ich muss dich lassen (O world, I now must leave thee) - from Choral Preludes Op.122 - Johannes Brahms (1833-1897) composed in 1896 at Ischl, Upper Austria, during the last year of his life [Novello] 3.43
Solemn Melody - Henry Walford Davies (1896-1941) [Novello] 3.50
Nun danket alle Gott (Now thank we all our God) Chorale Prelude on a tune in J Gruger's Praxis Pietatis Melica c.1647 - Georg Friedrich Kaufmann (1679-1735) [Peters] 1.58
Meditation on "Maria zu Lieben" a melody from Paderborn Gesanguch, 1765 - Vernon Griffiths (1894-1985) [Novello] 3.07
Valet will ich dir geben (Farewell I gladly bid thee), Chorale Prelude on a tune by Melchior Teschner, 1615 - Flor Peeters (1903-1986) [Peters] 3.02
Elegy - George Thalben-Ball (1896-1978) [Paxton] 4.53
Highland Cathedral - U Roever and M Korb [MCA Music Ltd] arr. Raymond White 2.38