| Soli Deo Music | Hannah Collings - Harpist | Peter Collings - Organist | The Organ Sound Archive |
Promoting the British Pipe Organ using the PC
Introduction
It is now possible to use a P.C. to emulate the sound of a pipe organ extremely accurately. Using a MIDI keyboard, it is possible for a desktop or laptop PC to generate a very realistic sound of a real pipe organ.
How does it work?
A small recording (sample) is taken of every pipe, and is editied so that it can be loaded by a computer program such as 'Hauptwerk' by Martin Dyde. This software allows the user to draw stops and play using the mouse, or MIDI keyboards and console parts, as though playing a real pipe organ. With a suitable audio card, and amplification system, a very realistic sound is made.
Aim
Anyone who has heard or played a good pipe organ will not forget the experience. The organ is unique in being able to allow the player to create an enormous range of tone colours, sounds and dynamics. Across the world there is a vast range of different instruments.
The pipe organ is not really played or heard that often, and it suffers a somewhat bad press - being branded as a 'boring' or 'dull' instrument by most people. Organs are not easy or cheap to look after, and it is unusual for people to put an organ recital at the top of their entertainments list.
In particular, the English Romantic pipe organ sound is particularly unique and rich and many people will experience such an instrument at some point in their lives, whether it is through a recording, radio broadcast or real life - the experience is often unforgetable. The finest examples of these instruments are becoming rare, endangered and difficult to access.
This project aims to make samples of such instruments accessible via the 'Hauptwerk' virtual pipe organ software as a resource to promote the instrument and encourage people to consider it playing themselves.
History
The project began in Spring 2004 as part of academic research by Peter Collings which initially focussed on how digital technology could create pipe organ sounds. This later developed into a project which aimed at promoting the instrument, and various owners and supporters of pipe organs were offered the opportunity to have their instrument sampled and demonstrated; ideas included interactive DVD demonstrations in schools and universities and after-concert presentations.
The pilot project took place at Birmingham Symphony Hall, where the new Klais concert pipe organ was sampled. The results give a highly realistic impression of the instrument. A first release of the sample set is being used with Hauptwerk in their educational suite for visitors.
Since the launch of the project, there have been many positive comments about the quality of the sound that has been produced via the audio demonstrations on this site:
"I have used Hauptwerk and other organs for some time now and so I know that the quality is amazing. Your audio samples were breathtaking - incredible realism!"
Email correspondant, Winter 2005.
News
The pilot project was launched at Birmingham Symphony Hall where the brand new Klais Concert Organ was archived. The results have proven to be stunning, and they will be used in demonstrations for schools and other parties who have visited the instrument. Several further instruments have been archived, including Cradley Heath Birmingham (1909 Norman and Beard) which is now in China, and St John the Evangelist, Derby (1875 Father Willis).
March 2005: Audio Demonstrations of the Birmingham Symphony Hall OSA will appear shortly. A prominent English Romantic Organ in Norfolk will hopefully be under development this Summer with a view to a public release, alongside the St John's Father Willis OSA. Several further organs from the Midlands will also be added.
April 2005: The OSA of the 3-manual Hill Organ at St Nicholas Parish Church, Great Yarmouth was recorded. More information and audio demonstrations to follow. The Organ Sound Archive of St John the Evangelist Father Willis Organ will be completely revised, and new audio demonstrations will be provided.
December 2005: Birmingham Symphony Hall OSA improved and installed in Education Suite.
March 2006: Website update and refocus of project. Further work on St Nicholas OSA and audio demos with a view to a public release. Two further English Romantic Organs in East Anglia are scheduled to be sampled.
January 2007: Website update. Following a period of inactivity (author busy getting married!), the focus is now on a release of a 'St Nicholas Parish Church Yarmouth' sample set. The current set (from which the audio samples are taken) will be re-edited, with a view to a first release. There have been many enquiries about the possibility to purchase this set. Updates and further audio demos to follow. The author is currently engaged in completing this sample set.
November 2007: Following an upgrade to the editing suite and some time freed up, I am working towards completion of the of a first release of the sample set of the Hill organ at St Nicholas Church, Great Yarmouth for Spring 2008 for Hauptwerk 3. Many listeners have visited the site to hear the MP3 organ improvisations (requests now accepted!). Check out the 'Audio demos' below. Several further instruments are planned for release.
September 2008: Virtual console nearing completion for St Nicholas sample set. Very pressed for time to dedicate to the project at present and well beyond predicted release date, but still pushing firmly towards a public release of this sample set. There has been a great deal of interest in the project with stacks of email contacts from worldwide sources interested in the unique 'English Romantic' sound that this sample set generates. Regular improvisations will be uploaded onto the 'Audio demos' page below - demo samples will be updated shortly to reflect new editing including the new 'Trompette Militaire' stop.
Click on this link to go to sample sets and audio demonstrations: Audio demos
Further information
For more information on the project or general enquiries, email Peter Collings: