The Box of Whistles
by John Norman
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The History and Recent Development of Organ Case Design
is published by Azure (SPCK);
ISBN 978-1-902694-31-3 The Box of Whistles - a well-illustrated history of the organ-case in Britain - is John Norman's latest book. Early chapters contain fascinating detective work on the few remaining from before 1660.
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Cromwell's men had a merry time destroying all they could find. Cases that survived were frequently moved, altered or reworked entirely. Text and pictures – plenty of these – enable us to follow these events.
Later years of the seventeenth century saw builders like “Father” Smith and Renatus Harris clothing their organs in handsome cases incorporating features peculiar to their respective makers This tradition was continued in the century that followed, with cases, small by European standards, but often of great elegance.
Later years of the seventeenth century saw builders like “Father” Smith and Renatus Harris clothing their organs in handsome cases incorporating features peculiar to their respective makers This tradition was continued in the century that followed, with cases, small by European standards, but often of great elegance.
For much of Queen Victoria's reign, size of instrument mattered more than appearance. Cases, where provided, were often ill-proportioned and overburdened with detail. More often, a simple pipe-rack, that seemed to have just “happened” appeared instead.
Reaction occurred, largely under the influence of A.W Hill. His firm set a lead in making well-proportioned cases, often influenced by mediaeval models. Later, it was not uncommon to commission designs from architects. Not all members of this profession understood the basics of organ-building, however, and the results could be amusing – if you weren't the organ-builder!
The years 1914-1945 were lean, with a few worthy exceptions. Bombing in WWII destroyed many organs, especially in London. Noel Mander was instrumental in saving a number of cases for re-use and led the post-war interest in the subject.
The 1960s saw dreadful things done to tonal schemes: cases suffered too, in a period defined as “the new Brutalism”. Little effort was made to arrange pipework pleasingly and mechanism was often all-too-visible. (Ever merciful, John Norman does not illustrate the results obtained at Kendal Parish Church, where a fine Father Willis was tonally eviscerated and then spread on the west wall in open-sided boxes, reminiscent of tea-chests; these rattled and buzzed merrily. Fernando Germani gave the opening recital and later whispered to your reviewer “What dreadful things you English do to your organs!”)
So to better days and some good recent cases. John Norman's long experience, considerable learning and clear writing make him an excellent guide in exploring many ways and byways in the story of the organ. Organ-lover, students of design and those responsible for existing or new instruments will read this with great pleasure and much profit.
Reaction occurred, largely under the influence of A.W Hill. His firm set a lead in making well-proportioned cases, often influenced by mediaeval models. Later, it was not uncommon to commission designs from architects. Not all members of this profession understood the basics of organ-building, however, and the results could be amusing – if you weren't the organ-builder!
The years 1914-1945 were lean, with a few worthy exceptions. Bombing in WWII destroyed many organs, especially in London. Noel Mander was instrumental in saving a number of cases for re-use and led the post-war interest in the subject.
The 1960s saw dreadful things done to tonal schemes: cases suffered too, in a period defined as “the new Brutalism”. Little effort was made to arrange pipework pleasingly and mechanism was often all-too-visible. (Ever merciful, John Norman does not illustrate the results obtained at Kendal Parish Church, where a fine Father Willis was tonally eviscerated and then spread on the west wall in open-sided boxes, reminiscent of tea-chests; these rattled and buzzed merrily. Fernando Germani gave the opening recital and later whispered to your reviewer “What dreadful things you English do to your organs!”)
So to better days and some good recent cases. John Norman's long experience, considerable learning and clear writing make him an excellent guide in exploring many ways and byways in the story of the organ. Organ-lover, students of design and those responsible for existing or new instruments will read this with great pleasure and much profit.
Reviewed by David Bridgeman-Sutton, September 2007
