Front cover
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Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the World of the King of InstrumentsThe hilarious book about organists, by organists, for everyone, with a foreword by Dame Gillian Weir
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From The Organ, (UK) February 2009:"This is one of the most - if not the most - enjoyable of books on organs and organists I have read for a very long time . . . An utterly delightful book, which is most assuredly strongly recommended." (RMW)
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Back cover
Click to enlarge and read!
272 pp plus B&W line drawings.
ISBN 978-0-473-14286-5 They might seem serene and placid on the surface but organists are literally and figuratively pedalling like mad underneath the surface to fulfil their art. Here organists and music lovers from around the world share their favourite personal stories; some are sad, some inspiring, many hilarious, and some are almost unbelievable. But they are all too true.
Jenny Setchell peeks behind the facades of some of the most famous concert venues and churches around the world to reveal what the life of an organist is really like. Over 120 men and women - from concert artists to Sunday church organists - relate the trials and triumphs of playing what can be the most difficult instrument in the world. Their amazing tales prove that there is nothing "organised" or standard about the lives they have to lead. Whimsical, often poignant and frequently funny, these tales will change your view of the king of instruments, and those who play it, forever. 
MULTIPLE COPIES:
For customers wanting more than one copy and you wish to order from our site in New Zealand, please contact me for a price. |
How to Buy "Organ-isms"
Use our easy online secure system through PayPal to order your copy now. (You don't have to have a PayPal account as you can order just as a guest) New Zealand, Australian, American, British and European currencies all accepted. The cost of shipping will be shown as part of the total charge on the first page. New Zealand customers are welcome to pay by cheque, cash or direct deposit. If you need more details please email [email protected] All books, except those destined for the UK, will be posted from New Zealand. UK orders are posted from within the UK.
Australia $25 (shipping added at checkout)
USA & Canada $14.50 (shipping added at checkout)
UK: NOW ONLY £12 ! (shipping from UK added at checkout)
In mainland Europe: NOW ONLY €12.00! (shipping added at checkout)
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"Organ-isms" is available from
Scorpio Books, 120 Hereford St, Christchurch Central, Christchurch 8011 New Zealand Phone 03-377 8462 |
Readers write, and other reviews
“Thanks heaps for compiling the first volume - it got devoured at a sitting and I now treat my choir to one anecdote per choir practice - if they behave. . .”
“Just thought I would write and let you know how much I have enjoyed reading "Organ-Isms" which you sent to me recently. Although I am not a musician of any kind (the world of crotchets, minims and semi-quavers are a total mystery to me!) I do love the organ and have done for many years. The many hilarious articles in the book had me shaking with laughter many times - I read most of it in bed of a night before turning out the light, and my wife always knew from the way the bed shook when I found a part which made me laugh.”
“Your book is magnificent! Have loved the way you have created the flow from subject to subject, story to story. What interesting stories they are too.”
“I got my copy of Organ-isms today and I have been reading it and I'm so captivated; I haven't stopped from laughing so much at all the anecdotes from the colleagues. What a great book!!!”
“I have finished reading "Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the world of the King of Instruments" by Jenny Setchell ... Wow. This was as enjoyable as having a nice dinner with seasoned veterans of the organ world, where fun stories flow as freely as the libations. I am ready for volume two! Kudos to Jenny and to all who shared the hilarious stories. ”
“Truly hilarious": From Music and Vision Daily, reviewed by KELLY FERJUTZ(May 20, 2009): “Ifyou've ever experienced chills up (or down) your spine at the sound of a 32ft Bombarde, this is the book for you! It's a lovely suite for organistas, done in the 'theme and variations' style of composition. Anyone who has ever touched or even heard a pipe organ (especially) will enjoy Organ-isms. I suspect that even those with experience only on smaller organs will also find much to treasure within these pages.”
“Jenny Setchell, the author, says that there may be a sequel. I would suggest crossing multiple fingers in the hope that this happens. However, as the contributors are all (or mostly all) organists, they should be exempt. It is only the readers who should keep digits crossed ... I'm just as certain you'll thoroughly enjoy this book, as will anyone on your gift list who enjoys music or is, in fact, a musician. I quite look forward to a second volume of such delightful tales. ” [Full review]
From the website Review of Arts, Literature, Philosophy and the Humanities (AKA TheRalph 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 full review...
“This is one of the most - if not the most - enjoyable of books on organs and organists I have read for a very long time . . . An utterly delightful book, which is most assuredly strongly recommended.” (RMW - The Organ)
“Organ-isms”is a handsome little book; it's been put together in a very pleasing way. And what a great concept for a book! Organists are famous storytellers and pass their stories on with pride. What organ student hasn't heard a crack-up story from their teacher?”
“While “Organ-isms” is lots of fun, Chapter 1 manages to impart the seriousness and importance of the organists' job. That chapter alone should be required reading for all clergy and music committee members.”
“I got my copy of Organ-isms today and I have been reading it and I'm so captivated; I haven't stopped from laughing so much at all the anecdotes from the colleagues. What a great book!!!”
“Your book just arrived and already I have found myself lost in it — it is wonderfully and engagingly written.”
“Congratulations - I think that it is quite excellent. Not only will it be very entertaining for the 'practitioners' but it should be compulsory reading for organ builders/tuners and those setting up the venue for any concert involving the organ!”
“Have so much enjoyed reading it - absolutely wonderful and many congratulations on such a great job. I'm so pleased I'm not the only one who meets up with 'these people'!!!”
“My copy arrived Christmas Eve (thanks Jenny). Wife grabbed it to wrap as present to go under the tree. I came downstairs at 4.00am for a drink of water. Spotted newly wrapped book under tree. Unwrapped book, started reading, was discovered by wife at 6.30am, attempting to re-wrap book. Accused by wife of inserting decimal point to my age of 63 years. Accused by wife of unreasonable behaviour, for not allowing her to open presents until after church.”
“Is volume two ready yet? Just finished it, brilliant! I'm in admiration of the way you've linked everything up. It all flows along wonderfully well. A really good read !”
“What particularly makes your book so enjoyable is that I can personally relate to so many of the anecdotes”
“LOVE YOUR BOOK! It just arrived a few days ago and I have spent every spare moment reading it…and howling”
“I'm laughing myself silly, I just started the book. It's just so much fun!!!”
“Can't put it down!”
“It arrived today and I'm half way through it! It's really great! Put the ironing off for hours.”
“A major project carried off with style and panache! ”
As far as I know, there is nothing else quite like it. I shall look forward to reading the reviews in due time.You dovetail your various stories into the narrative so very cleverly that the flow seems easy and inevitable.”
“I was bemused throughout. One test of a good book for me is whether I keep reading it to the exclusion of the other 3 books I have "on the go". Organ-isms passed that test easily. Many thanks to all contributors and to Jenny.”
“It really is very entertaining. Some of the stories are so unlikely they just have to be true!”
“Just thought I would write and let you know how much I have enjoyed reading "Organ-Isms" which you sent to me recently. Although I am not a musician of any kind (the world of crotchets, minims and semi-quavers are a total mystery to me!) I do love the organ and have done for many years. The many hilarious articles in the book had me shaking with laughter many times - I read most of it in bed of a night before turning out the light, and my wife always knew from the way the bed shook when I found a part which made me laugh.”
“Your book is magnificent! Have loved the way you have created the flow from subject to subject, story to story. What interesting stories they are too.”
“I got my copy of Organ-isms today and I have been reading it and I'm so captivated; I haven't stopped from laughing so much at all the anecdotes from the colleagues. What a great book!!!”
“I have finished reading "Organ-isms: Anecdotes from the world of the King of Instruments" by Jenny Setchell ... Wow. This was as enjoyable as having a nice dinner with seasoned veterans of the organ world, where fun stories flow as freely as the libations. I am ready for volume two! Kudos to Jenny and to all who shared the hilarious stories. ”
“Truly hilarious": From Music and Vision Daily, reviewed by KELLY FERJUTZ(May 20, 2009): “Ifyou've ever experienced chills up (or down) your spine at the sound of a 32ft Bombarde, this is the book for you! It's a lovely suite for organistas, done in the 'theme and variations' style of composition. Anyone who has ever touched or even heard a pipe organ (especially) will enjoy Organ-isms. I suspect that even those with experience only on smaller organs will also find much to treasure within these pages.”
“Jenny Setchell, the author, says that there may be a sequel. I would suggest crossing multiple fingers in the hope that this happens. However, as the contributors are all (or mostly all) organists, they should be exempt. It is only the readers who should keep digits crossed ... I'm just as certain you'll thoroughly enjoy this book, as will anyone on your gift list who enjoys music or is, in fact, a musician. I quite look forward to a second volume of such delightful tales. ” [Full review]
From the website Review of Arts, Literature, Philosophy and the Humanities (AKA TheRalph 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 full review...
“This is one of the most - if not the most - enjoyable of books on organs and organists I have read for a very long time . . . An utterly delightful book, which is most assuredly strongly recommended.” (RMW - The Organ)
“Organ-isms”is a handsome little book; it's been put together in a very pleasing way. And what a great concept for a book! Organists are famous storytellers and pass their stories on with pride. What organ student hasn't heard a crack-up story from their teacher?”
“While “Organ-isms” is lots of fun, Chapter 1 manages to impart the seriousness and importance of the organists' job. That chapter alone should be required reading for all clergy and music committee members.”
“I got my copy of Organ-isms today and I have been reading it and I'm so captivated; I haven't stopped from laughing so much at all the anecdotes from the colleagues. What a great book!!!”
“Your book just arrived and already I have found myself lost in it — it is wonderfully and engagingly written.”
“Congratulations - I think that it is quite excellent. Not only will it be very entertaining for the 'practitioners' but it should be compulsory reading for organ builders/tuners and those setting up the venue for any concert involving the organ!”
“Have so much enjoyed reading it - absolutely wonderful and many congratulations on such a great job. I'm so pleased I'm not the only one who meets up with 'these people'!!!”
“My copy arrived Christmas Eve (thanks Jenny). Wife grabbed it to wrap as present to go under the tree. I came downstairs at 4.00am for a drink of water. Spotted newly wrapped book under tree. Unwrapped book, started reading, was discovered by wife at 6.30am, attempting to re-wrap book. Accused by wife of inserting decimal point to my age of 63 years. Accused by wife of unreasonable behaviour, for not allowing her to open presents until after church.”
“Is volume two ready yet? Just finished it, brilliant! I'm in admiration of the way you've linked everything up. It all flows along wonderfully well. A really good read !”
“What particularly makes your book so enjoyable is that I can personally relate to so many of the anecdotes”
“LOVE YOUR BOOK! It just arrived a few days ago and I have spent every spare moment reading it…and howling”
“I'm laughing myself silly, I just started the book. It's just so much fun!!!”
“Can't put it down!”
“It arrived today and I'm half way through it! It's really great! Put the ironing off for hours.”
“A major project carried off with style and panache! ”
As far as I know, there is nothing else quite like it. I shall look forward to reading the reviews in due time.You dovetail your various stories into the narrative so very cleverly that the flow seems easy and inevitable.”
“I was bemused throughout. One test of a good book for me is whether I keep reading it to the exclusion of the other 3 books I have "on the go". Organ-isms passed that test easily. Many thanks to all contributors and to Jenny.”
“It really is very entertaining. Some of the stories are so unlikely they just have to be true!”
