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CJ Ashworth
Приєднався 12 січ 2013
The Ghost at Fosportsley Hall by Colin Ashworth
IMPORTANT NOTES
The instrumentation of this piece was chosen to be simple, and the sounds were selected from those available on my PC as the most suitable for the task. However, there are some ‘out of range’ notes for both a real saxophone and piccolo so - were it ever to go beyond this demonstration version (which it will not) - it would need to be rescored, or some of the notes changed.
The title was made up using www.name-generator.org.uk/
This composition was written in 2004 when I was teaching ‘A’ level music. I have always tried to teach my example, and I felt I ought to write a theme tune for a TV show (or film) since that is what the pupils had to do. It turned out that I only wrote the first 58 bars, and the incomplete music remained on my hard drive for 20 years, until I completed it in December 2024.
The original idea had been to compose straight into ‘Finale’, whereas I usually compose at the keyboard, notating in rough onto manuscript paper and typeset my pieces later. I have used ‘Finale’ for over 20 years but it is being discontinued: this will be the last use I make of the software for composing.
Anyway, I am pleased to have completed it.
The ghost image is from freepngimg.com/png/175546-ghost-vector-hd-image-free and used creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
The instrumentation of this piece was chosen to be simple, and the sounds were selected from those available on my PC as the most suitable for the task. However, there are some ‘out of range’ notes for both a real saxophone and piccolo so - were it ever to go beyond this demonstration version (which it will not) - it would need to be rescored, or some of the notes changed.
The title was made up using www.name-generator.org.uk/
This composition was written in 2004 when I was teaching ‘A’ level music. I have always tried to teach my example, and I felt I ought to write a theme tune for a TV show (or film) since that is what the pupils had to do. It turned out that I only wrote the first 58 bars, and the incomplete music remained on my hard drive for 20 years, until I completed it in December 2024.
The original idea had been to compose straight into ‘Finale’, whereas I usually compose at the keyboard, notating in rough onto manuscript paper and typeset my pieces later. I have used ‘Finale’ for over 20 years but it is being discontinued: this will be the last use I make of the software for composing.
Anyway, I am pleased to have completed it.
The ghost image is from freepngimg.com/png/175546-ghost-vector-hd-image-free and used creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/4.0/
Переглядів: 39
Відео
The organ in Benefield church
Переглядів 107Місяць тому
Postludium by Gordon Young Prelude (in D) by Gustav Merkel Liebster Jesu by J S Bach
Festive Postlude - Graham Twist
Переглядів 33Місяць тому
I think this piece is great fun! [I knew I had - just this once - played an F natural in bar 26 where it should have been an F sharp; but I've just listened to three other recordings to discover that I missed the F sharp major 7th chord in bar 35 - I am gutted!] On my digital Viscount, the pedals can be difficult to hear so I had to uncouple the swell from the great towards the end as there is ...
Avro Lancaster NX611 - Taxy
Переглядів 1572 місяці тому
Well worth a visit - I found it by accident! I wish I'd held the camera 'landscape' throughout. The Lincolnshire Aviation www.lincsaviation.co.uk/ Heritage Centre, East Kirkby Airfield Nr Spilsby Lincolnshire PE23 4DE
The organ in All Saints' church Wold Newton, Lincolnshire
Переглядів 612 місяці тому
The last of the organs I played during the Wolds Festival 2024. Apologies for the duff notes.
The organ in St Mary & St Gabriel church, Binbrook, Lincolnshire
Переглядів 1272 місяці тому
There's a sorry tale about this video. I thought I had recorded a different piece and also a rather better improvisation. However, when I looked at my camcorder I had clearly pressed the start/stop button twice and it was off when I thought it was on and vice versa. Thus I had to start again and the hymn and improvisation here are the results of my efforts. The organ has a lovely oboe, I thought.
The organ in St Nicholas' Church, Swaby, Lincolnshire
Переглядів 653 місяці тому
Recorded during the Wolds Festival 2024. Improvisation (for manuals) on 'St Clement' by Paul Edwards and then a hymn tune (1st verse with pedals)
The organ in St Andrew's church, Utterby, Lincolnshire
Переглядів 633 місяці тому
This little organ has pedals but I did not use them during this manuals-only piece. I visited during the Wolds Festival as some churches had advertised that their instruments could be played by visitors. This was a busy church with lots of coffee and cake being served. I was made very welcome, having let them know in advance that I was visiting.
The organ in St Lawrence's Church Fulstow, Lincolnshire
Переглядів 613 місяці тому
I visited during the Wolds Festival as some churches had advertised that their instruments could be played by visitors. This piece was recorded on my camcorder. [I had an appreciative audience of one]
The organ in St John the Baptist's church, Belleau, Lincolnshire
Переглядів 1683 місяці тому
I visited during the Wolds Festival as some churches had advertised that their instruments could be played by visitors. These pieces were recorded on my camcorder but the sound is OK, I think. Having just driven 100 miles and being a bit rusty (as well as there being no light on the pedals) this video was not created to showcase the quality of the performance!
Ringers' Recessional by Colin Ashworth
Переглядів 743 місяці тому
If you are a ringer, you will get the references in the sub-title. The score is on my website if you wish to play it. colintheorganist.wixsite.com/home/compositionspage2
Cloisters Contemplation - Phil Lehenbauer
Переглядів 554 місяці тому
Recorded after just 5 minutes at the console on a visit to Benefield.
Theme and Variations on 'Ebenezer' - Stephen Burtonwood
Переглядів 544 місяці тому
Recorded in behalf of fagus-music.com/. This is a fun set of pieces to learn with a 'keep fit' finale.
The Banks of Green Willow - George Butterworth (arr. Stuart Marston Smith)
Переглядів 655 місяців тому
Recorded on behalf of fagus-music.com/
Fanfare - Percy Whitlock
Переглядів 937 місяців тому
As my fingers (and joints) become stiffer with age, my eyesight fails and reactions slow down, this is probably the best playing I can muster for this piece. I wanted to do one complete take so the tension increased towards the end as I started to feel it might be possible: my bad! Yes, there are also some errors (one particularly bad one on page 22) but I am fairly pleased with the overall res...
Prelude on Jesus Christ is Risen Today - Phil Lehenbauer
Переглядів 648 місяців тому
Prelude on Jesus Christ is Risen Today - Phil Lehenbauer
Chorale Prelude on "Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier" - Paul Fey
Переглядів 1759 місяців тому
Chorale Prelude on "Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier" - Paul Fey
Chorale Prelude: Love Unknown by Graham Twist
Переглядів 639 місяців тому
Chorale Prelude: Love Unknown by Graham Twist
Improvisation at Peterborough Cathedral - Andrew Newberry (1979)
Переглядів 14610 місяців тому
Improvisation at Peterborough Cathedral - Andrew Newberry (1979)
Nos 4 & 5 of Five Pieces (based on Latin Hymns) - Evelyn Stell
Переглядів 3410 місяців тому
Nos 4 & 5 of Five Pieces (based on Latin Hymns) - Evelyn Stell
Rothwell URC Organ stop demonstration
Переглядів 10311 місяців тому
Rothwell URC Organ stop demonstration
[Rothwell URC] On this Day - Phil Lehenbauer
Переглядів 4711 місяців тому
[Rothwell URC] On this Day - Phil Lehenbauer
Aubade for the Christ Child by Stanley Vann
Переглядів 4311 місяців тому
Aubade for the Christ Child by Stanley Vann
Nos 1-3 of Five Pieces (based on Latin Hymns) - Evelyn Stell
Переглядів 30Рік тому
Nos 1-3 of Five Pieces (based on Latin Hymns) - Evelyn Stell
Great fun, Colin! You haven't beaten my record for finishing a piece started in my early twenties and finished in my early sixties (!) but I'm sure you got great satisfaction putting this 'ghost' to bed after twenty years! Teaching by example is an excellent approach and I've always found it very motivating. You clearly were - and still are - a very talented composer. Your challenge in 2025 is to score this composition so that it could be played by the featured instruments. You owe that to posterity!
A little different from organ music but just as excellent !
Nice music. Could You please tell where score is to be found
It is now in The Christmas Organist published by Kevin Mayhew www.kevinmayhew.com/products/the-christmas-organist-1400525#contents although my copy is in Christms Glory by the same publisher so you might find a copy on Ebay. There is one here www.jwpepper.com/Christmas-Glory-Seasonal-Pieces/5809355.item?srsltid=AfmBOoqVgswCX5P6cQMiDZs-qPhn7M66LIOJMOx3SXc4SGhZAnmfB02H
Wonderful playing, Colin: bravo! (I was surprised how powerful the Swell 8' Open Diapason and 4' Principal are. A lovely instrument!)
The camera was quite near the organ and the swell box was open too
An instrument full of charm.
So is the organist! (LOL)
Well done!! Superb composition!
Graham has a knack of writing 'hits'.
Thank you so much, Colin, for this most spirited performance of my 'Festive Postlude' - I love it! I am glad you found it a fun piece to play. I have to confess that my tongue was slightly in my cheek with this composition as I was taking a bit of a liberty (but with love!) regarding this particular 'style' (evidenced in the last bar and the overall rather 'camp' feel of the music!). There's plenty of serious organ music to play, so something light and frivolous amused me as the composition took shape. I think any bar where you play something that I didn't write is perfectly justified with this piece, so the odd missing F sharp will not stop me for being grateful that you chose to take some time with the piece and make this excellent recording . . . and of course, it's not a patch on your magnificent 'Peppy Postlude'!
I shall perfect it before I include it in a recital next year.
One day will be the world's 3rd airworthy Lancaster 👍🏻 The Battle of Britain Memorial hangar tour is worth a visit in the winter season, some good stories off the tour guides to be heard whilst these magnificent machines are in pieces under maintenance
I shall certainly go back. I found the static displays very moving. All that sacrifice and bravery. I wonder what they'd think of what the country has become.
@@cjashworth a damn mess 😔
A sweet organ - bravo, Colin. The Bruckner sounds lovely . . . and what duff notes? I just heard perfection!
Recently restored (2022)
The NPOR has this instrument as an 1882 Cousans instruments with just 8' and 4' on both manuals and one pedal 16' - no mention of an Oboe, and the organ is clearly bigger than this. A lovely improvisation . . . and Repton is always worth hearing. Bravo, Colin!
I will be updating the NPOR survey but there was a glitch yesterday
A wonderful and charming composition that sounds gorgeous on this gem of an organ: bravo, Colin!
A challenging pedal board!
Bravo Colin! Well played😁👍
Thanks. Looks as if you are overdue uploading more videos to your channel!
This is absolutely lovely, both the organ and the composition! Thank you for posting this!
The music is published by Fagus
you should play the davy jones theme from pirates of the carribean
I only like Baked Beans
What a lovely instrument! Your audience of one was lucky to hear this performance!
If they can reduce the blower noise it will serve them well
Nice and with an adorable piece that I didn't know about.
Glad you liked it!
How charming this organ is too!
I played several which had a pleasant sound.
Thanks. I really like discovering these little-known instruments full of charm.
There are several nice ones in the county
What a gorgeous 'Siciliana' from Paul Edwards - very well suited to this small instrument and beautifully played by you, Colin. I can hear in the background that you had a larger audience than one on this occasion, so I hope they were appreciative. The organ builder is not a name I recognise . . . so I 'googled' it to see what came up. Apparently, Harston and Son was a small organ building business based in Newark (so not too far away) that was established in 1835. The firm was run by Mrs Selina Harston, the widow of J.F. Harston, and her son John James Harston from 1882. So I'm guessing this instrument is at least 130 years old (which should make you feel young!): bravo!
They were a captive audience!
That 'audience of one' was afforded a real treat, Colin. The noisy blower and clanking mechanical sounds all add to the charm of a real organ that will have given sterling service to congregations of hymn singers over many years. This choral gem from Bruckner fits it like a glove: bravo!
I was greeted by the church guide and had a long chat with him. This organ was only recently acquired from elsewhere.
greetings from argentina, well played m8!
Thanks
I'd forgotten how lovely Ives' 'Lullaby' is - perfectly suited to this sweet Foster and Andrews instrument and played with great charm, Colin! Equally, Phil's 'Voluntary' sparkles in your performance: bravo!
Thanks for watching. I think you are my chief fan!
Superb even I don't really understand the subtlety of the title..
I have adjusted the text.
Fabulous composition, Colin, and performed with wonderful verve on your home instrument: bravo! (Confession. Not being a 'ringer', the joke is lost on me. But I have tried. From a quick internet search, I gather that 'Queens' is when odd-numbered bells rung in order are followed by even-numbered bells; and that 'Cartwheels' is a style of ringing with hand and back stokes rung at the same speed, thus producing no handstroke gap. But still . . . the joke eludes me! Sorry!)
I've changed the wording. It was originally called 'Bell Postlude' but a mate of mine mentioned the cartwheels. One is supposed to have open handstroke leads when ringing 12345612356 (gap) 123456 etc.
Charming little instrument which seems, like the church, so picturesque. Your interpretation sounds good there.
I try!
Phil's composition sounds fabulous on this instrument - a wonderful interpretation and performance, Colin: bravo!
Kind of you to say so.
I'm a bit late to this one, Colin, but what a fabulous work by Stephen Burtonwood! I thoroughly enjoyed your performance and thought your playing was full of verve and your registration choices really suited the character of each variation. A brilliant job, very well done: B R A V O !
The last variation made my legs ache! I'm out of condition.
I’m very honored by this lovely recording! It’s such a beautiful instrument, too! Many thanks! 🎶😊🎶
Thank you for writing the music.
Interesting composition, thank you for sharing and have a good Sunday.
Thanks for watching
An exquisitely phrased and articulated performance, allowing the music to 'breathe'. Certainly an excellent arrangement.
I am glad you enjoyed it, thank you.
What a fabulous arrangement for organ! Quintessentially English, and beautifully performed, Colin: BRAVO!
Thank you
Very famous and unexpected.
Unexpected?
@@cjashworth Yes... by that I meant a musical surprise, unusual music... my English is approximate!
@@philippelegargean5120 Understood
this is anazing! imo the old style quality adds to the song!
Yes I do qualify as old.
Beautiful! Thank you for sharing!
Thanks for watching!
👏💛🎵
Thanks
BRAVO, Colin! I love Percy Whitlock's music, but I have never been able to master this fabulous 'Fanfare' - it requires more skill than I possess and I thought your performance was fabulous. Yes, you really need a big, fat English Tuba to do justice to this score and plenty of toe and thumb pistons, if not a sequencer, to help with the registration changes. I envy you that feeling of satisfaction you must have experienced when you finished this recording: really worth all the effort. Thank you!
Too kind. Years ago, when I presided over an instrument large enough to cope with this (although it had a smallish Tromba not Tuba) I was too busy to learn it and do it any kind of justice. It has been a 40 year project!
Hello Colin and bravo for the work accomplished and the interpretation. Small errors? Ugh! It doesn't make sense and then, it doesn't matter. Superb piece by a composer I don't know much about but who really appeals to me.
Thank you for your kind words
Love the rhythmic drive in this joyous setting of the 'Lyra Davidica'/Easter Hymn by Phil Lehenbauer. Fabulous performance, Colin: bravo!
I take it slightly slower than marked. I played it at 2 services this morning!
A great arrangement and wonderful playing, Colin. Such a beautiful piece of music - it really touched the heart: bravo!
It is a very effective arrangement.
Beautiful ! Holy Easter !
Thank you
One of my favorites and I also think, one of the first from Graham i played. Thank you and have a good Sunday.
Graham's music certainly 'hits the spot'.
A gorgeous performance, Colin, of Paul Fey's setting of 'Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier': bravo!
Thank you.
Thank you so much for playing my 'Idyll', Colin - I really appreciate you making this beautiful recording (and I'm all for tied notes as we seem to share the same bad habit!): bravo! At the beginning of April, I am playing a small village organ for my brother-in-law's wedding. His bride is Swedish, so I have been working on some transcriptions of suitable music to play from Sweden. And I'll also be playing a few of my own compositions . . . but not 'Idyll'; instead, I have chosen to play your 'Reverie' as I like that piece more than this one!
My pleasure.
Such a beautiful moment !
Thank you and thanks to Graham too.
Colin, this is just such a beautiful interpretation and performance of my setting of John Ireland's sublime hymn tune, 'Love Unknown'. How honoured I am that you have chosen to make this recording and how humbled I am to hear you play it with all the love that I tried so hard to weave into this composition. I have loved this hymn all my life and now I have a very special recording to treasure for the rest of my life. Thank you - and bravo!
I really adore this piece.
Congratulations Colin: this is a great result after some effort. And what's more, you chose a fairly fast tempo. Your interpretation is very enjoyable and honors Graham's work.
I think it needs to have a scherzo feel but, actually, I take it at pretty much the same speed as Graham plays it.
W O W ! Colin - I'm impressed (and very honoured you have recorded this composition!). I'm so sorry it caused you a lot of work . . . but I've really enjoyed the fruits of your labour - even if it did require two takes spliced together! (On my channel, the final uploaded version was one take . . . but after about fifty attempts before I achieved a result I thought was passable, with errors always in different bars - and I wrote the piece!). One of my favourite organ compositions is your 'Reverie' with its gorgeous harmonies. It made me want to be a little more adventurous with my own harmonic writing, so in a way, you are responsible for all those tricky bits in this 'Scherzoso' (though I still can't craft music as beautifully as you do, and never will). I'm guessing that, like me, you find a huge amount of pleasure in writing music for the King of Instruments, and when our music pleases others, all that effort seems worthwhile.Thank you for the pleasure you have given me . . . and forgive me for being inspired to create this particular piece!
It is hardly your fault it took my old fingers so long to learn it! I am still working on one particular piece from 40 years ago which I may yet record. That could take a lot of splicing. Thank you, anyway, for making the sheet music available.
What a wonderful transcription, Colin - I am in awe, as this is a skill I do not possess (but wish I did!). This is the best of 'Anglican' improvisation . . . the perfect way to prepare for worship, and it is so special that it has stayed with you throughout your life. I was the Housemaster to the choristers at Lincoln Cathedral in the late 1980s/early 1990s and like you, enjoyed many hours in the organ loft witnessing similar musical enhancements to worship in another majestic cathedral (and sometimes getting to even play myself!). B R A V O !
It is the nature of a cathedral organist's job that so much improvised material is lost but it was touchng to have a tangible reminder of Andrew. In my own case, I'm not sure I would want my improvisations transcribed as is evidenced in a video on his channel!
Thank you for sharing these beautiful pages.
Thanks for watching again.
How FABULOUS that you have transcribed this Colin - I have goosebumps yet again, anew, as I have had multiple times when listening to the original performance (originally whilst processing in to it at Peterborough, as a tenor in Dover College Chapel Choir when we visited for that evensong). Thank you!
I enjoyed doing it.