Oddments and oddities
Pic 1. Breda Cathedral, Netherlands
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Even the most single-minded photographer of organs sometimes can't resist a picture that is marginal or even totally irrelevant.
Among the marginal, some might rate that of the spiral staircase to the organ loft at Breda in the Netherlands — though it also gives a good idea of the elegant case. (pic. 1). Jenny Setchell took this to encourage a fellow-organist who suffers from fear of heights — a condition no less distressing when given its scientific name, acrophobia. In view of the large number of interesting instruments perched many feet above pavement level, this can be a severe handicap. The fact that so many organs have been thus perched without disaster for years or even centuries is little comfort to those contemplating ascent or, as is sometimes worse, descent. Tall though it is, this stair, with its panelled handrail is perhaps less alarming than those of open ironwork, offering vistas of possible descent and destruction on all sides. One such that comes to mind is at Studley Royal church in North Yorkshire. It is said that one guest organist for a wedding "froze" half way up. A bemused bride entered to silence and it was not until the third verse of the first hymn that a wavering and uncertain accompaniment began. The player, although invited to the reception, retired to a hotel bed as soon as Mendelssohn and the painful descent were over. |
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An angelic figure, richly gilt, was spotted at Arstad church in Sweden (pic. 2). Seen from the right angle the support is invisible and the angel really seems to fly. Presumably angels do not suffer from acrophobia; at least this one seems cheerful enough. A translation of the words on the scroll would be interesting.
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Pic. 2 Arstad church in Sweden
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An organ in Munich cathedral is watched over, from a height, by its builder (pic 3).
The present instrument is of much later date than the figure, who seems to be of the 17th century. Some who frequently listen to this instrument assert that expressions, ranging from extreme delight to distaste and even pain, pass over the figure's face, according to the quality - or otherwise - of the playing. Others suggest that these are merely the effects of distant shadows . |
Shop sign in Erfurt
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Expressions on the faces of those who observe the sign on a wall in Erfurt also exhibit the gamut of emotions (pic 4). It is, perhaps, not difficult to guess at the activities carried on nearby. Parents sometimes have to extemporize when delicately-nurtured offspring want to know what it signifies. So do young men accompanying elderly aunts of rigid views, from whom they have expectations, when these likewise seek enlightenment.
A popular explanation is that the up-market shoe shop, whose sign it is, attracts customers by serving them wine. Elderly aunts in need of new footwear are usually disappointed to hear that the establishment is closed for some reason: stock-taking frequently suggests itself to the hard-pressed. |
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Finally, a novel letter-box in Sweden: this confirms the names of those occupying the house — and suggests their probable interests. When vegetation is at its most luxuriant, it also confirms that there really is a building behind the hedge (Pic. 5). Perhaps more organ-lovers should follow suit.
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Pic. 5 Swedish letterbox - or rather, letterpipe
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David Bridgeman-Sutton, July, 2011
Picture credits:
1,2,4 and 5: Jenny Setchell.
3 and 6: Philip Wells.
1,2,4 and 5: Jenny Setchell.
3 and 6: Philip Wells.
