Pipe Organs, Singing 'n Music, Music, Music

Christmas Eve in Cebu

2011-09-30T04:16:00.000-07:00

As you notice, it has been a while again. I've been doing things - projects. Landscape history study guide, genealogy, reading, living!

The news is that I will be playing a Christmas Eve program at the Sto Nino Basilica in Cebu. It is a beautiful, historic church, visited by tourists and people every day. They have a newly restored German organ (a year ago), two manuals, and I am looking forward to working my feet again on a real pedal board, not just on a few tabs like on the old Spanish organs here in Bohol. So if you are in the area, please come!

I also spent a couple hours on the tracker organ at the Cathedral in Cebu, built by Diego Cera Organguilders in Las Pinas about 10 or 15 years ago. What a wonderful experience! I hope to do a program there sometime, too!

I can't tell you the time of the program yet, and it may include a little choral work from a local group, but it is before the big Christmas Eve service! So I'm excited about that!

I hope you have had a good 2011. Rod

New Youtube Movies

2011-04-03T05:12:00.001-07:00

Dear Friends,

Well, since there aren't too many of you yet, and little wonder since I haven't written anything since August, I want to let you know that I've finally gotten around to taping a few pieces on the Baclayon and Loay organs. And I'm in the process of uploading them to youtube/rodgis44.

They will include: Pange linguas by Bermudo and Aquilera de Heredia; A Tiento by Bruna; An Obra by Anon; Pasquini "Sonata"; Susanne van Sold Manuscript selections; and Antonio Valente. I think about 3 are now uploaded. But with my slow connection it takes a while, and with a computer that keeps wanting to shut off (grrrrrrr), well...

That explains some of my silence. Plus, the organs were only recently tuned for recording sessions with Guy Bovet on the restored Spanish organs in the Philippines. I look forward to those recordings!

So I hope you are all well!
Rod

Practicing

2010-08-11T01:30:00.001-07:00

Eee gads, it's been three months. Mostly of waiting to get a faster internet connection! Well, we have it, except that sending a movie to youtube takes about an hour for a five-minute movie.

But then, I have no plans of putting my practice sessions on youtube!

But I am practicing! My digital piano is here, and I've been going, once or twice a week to Baclayon and Loay to practice on the organs there. And I've also had to write out and learn the service music for a mass, which I play once a month. That mass is in Visayan, so it's interesting. I took a video of a service, which helped, and worked with the regular organist, who helped me a lot. I can't say our styles have anything in common, but that is another issue.

And soon I will be playing for the once-a-month Latin mass. So, you see, I do have something to do once in a while.

But, most exciting for me, is that I'm planning two Christmas programs of mostly different music. So the boxes of music I brought have been searched. Interesting how the old Spanish composers didn't title anything much for Christmas. The Classical French, of course, wrote their Noels, thank God, and the Germans used their chorales, but the Spanish just wrote pieces. Or I don't have the right books!

So I've put together two programs which include some German, some Italian, some French, some contemporary English/American, and combined with a choir which will sing a couple pieces and the chorales I will play, I am hoping to keep the attention of the audiences! I noticed that the people in "another" town near didn't know what silence during music means!

In fact, I've downloaded 4 short clips from Guy Bovet's recital in March in Loboc, with his permission, of course. I keep meaning to make the hour treck up there, as it is a lovely organ, too, but somehow my energy hasn't been sufficient.

You can go to www.youtube.com/rodgis44 and find them. There are other movies there, too, so just look for the right ones in my collection.

I've learned to play with the horizontal reeds in Baclayon, as some of them are finicky! What I mean is, I've learned how to get some of the stubborn ones to speak! Will I need to do that before I play a piece in a recital? Will the organs actually get tuned?

I'll keep in touch and eventually I will probably send a few clips from the recitals, too.

If you have any posts you would be interested in being included here, please let me know. I know some of you have lots going on and some of you must have interesting stories from the recent conventions in the US. What about you European and Asian organists?

I'd love your sending information about your upcoming recitals! We could have a page here for upcoming recitals!

Remember, practice makes perfect!

Rod
August, 2010

Performing and Friends

2010-05-15T15:11:00.000-07:00

There is an issue I'd like to just throw out there about performers and their friends. This is something that always bugged me when I would perform. The issue is this: After months of preparation and hard work, and friends promising they'd be there, it is a real bummer when they don't show! As a performer, it is especially important to have our family and closest friends understand at least what we've put our heart and soul into. And they can only do that by being there at the BIG event, and for most solo performers who do only one performance of something, it IS a BIG EVENT, emotially and artistically. Most of us at this level need some reinforcement and support, because much of our work in learning the music or dance, or whatever--trying so hard to perfect it (mostly in solitude) and finally presenting it-- is the only public face all of our work will have. So it takes over our life for a time!

So, if you have performer friends, please try your best to support them, and not just in words and empty promises! There, I've said it! I hope you will gratefully accept the next invitation you have and be there for them! They need that more than they'll ever say, and, believe me, it will fill their hearts with joy to have you there!

I can't tell you how many times I felt some devastation, when friends who said they would be there, found some reason not to be! And I know I am not alone here! I suppose the let-down is because we're exposing our souls and making ourselves so vulnerable in that act of performing. Is part of it also, due to the solitude of preparation, that there is no way to express what we love so much to our closest friends, and so we naturally want to let them into the intimate world that has enveloped us for so long? As a solo performer all you want to do is move someone as you have been moved. So if they are not present you feel terribly rejected because no one has accepted your invitation into your private world. Get it? Even if the outcome is not great, or you hate the medium, they still need you there, with your gratitude that they have put so much of themselves into this work.

Recently I attended an organ recital here at one of the large churches. The church was filled and full of so much excitement that at some moments you could barely hear the music! Well, that's another cultural issue, I guess! And none of them knew the organist. I am sure that there are not many cultural presentations there, so anything presented is pretty special. And I know for a fact that there were a lot of people on lots of committees who helped sponsor and organize the event, as I met many afterward. So a recital here is a big deal. The interesting thing is how little some listened, and not just little kids! I was shocked that a nun close to me was talking most of the time! What do they teach them in the convent these days? I joke, of course!

Getting Settled

2010-03-28T21:59:00.000-07:00

Dear Friends,

I've been here in Bohol now for almost 6 weeks and am waiting for my music to arrive, and for a faster connection so I can post for you and the world a couple youtube movies of a recital here by Guy Bovet that I attended in Loboc.

A huge, noisy crowd stayed for most of the hour and a half program (which also included a few pieces by the acclaimed Loboc Children's Choir). When I get the fast connection, I'll load it here for you to enjoy!

Meanwhile I wait for my music and things, anxious to get my fingers working again on a keyboard!

I hope you are all well, and if you have some news you would like to share here, please send it to me!

Rod
March 28, 2010

MOVING MADNESS

2010-01-30T19:18:00.000-08:00

Dear Friends,

I've been very busy since Christmas preparing for my move to Bohol, in the Philippines. Going through a lifetime of "stuff" is not easy. Emotional, sometimes, maddening at others, but always work. Deciding what to take, what to dump, what to sell is a challenge.

I finally realized that I can take digital pictures of a lot of things (pictures, documents) that I want to remember, and then let go of the physical copies that would mean nothing to anyone else. That has been work (how many photo albums did I collect over the years?) but also an emotional trip down memory lane.

So has been selling off my collection of organ music with pedals! Thanks to all the organists who have helped me on my way! Of course I've saved all the manual works - especially the Spanish, since I'll be playing on the three restored Spanish organs there. (see my earlier blog entries)

You may not hear from me for a while. I expect to move in about two weeks, find a place to live, spend time with my Filipino family, then get settled. But then I'll have some things to talk about I am sure!

Rod
Almost February, '10

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T20:52:00.001-08:00

Dear Readers,

I just played two masses on digital pianos, and while fun, it wasn't the same high as many of you are having tonight!

Just found this fun youTube video with pictures of many BIG organs, and want to share it with you for sheer fun!

I wish you all a great holiday, and now that Christmas is almost over, some good R & R, too! I hope to hear from you and receive some submissions for possible posts!

See you in 2010!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cS5D0zunRr8&feature=related

Organ Tour to the Philippines?

2009-12-04T16:56:00.000-08:00

Hi all,

I've been thinking for a few months of the possibility of organizing an organ tour of the Philippines. I know from experience that there are some exciting, restored old Spanish and also new organs that we could see, hear, and play! I even know the people who could help us on our way. Wouldn't that be fun?

Let me give you an idea of what we could do...

We would start and end in Manila where we would visit two organs in Intramuros, the ancient, walled city. St. Agustin Church has the largest of the old Spanish organs in the country, and the Cathedral has a restored Dutch mid-20th century 4-manual. Of course we wouldn't miss the famous Bamboo organ in Las Pinas or a nice dinner somewhere in the beautiful, posh Greenbelt complex in Makati, the financial and entertainment district. And we might even get to see the Diego Ciera Organbuilders factory! The only one in the Philippines! You could order your new organ here!

Then we would fly to Cebu where we could visit an organ built by Cealwyn Tagle. A short boat ride would take us to http://www.bohol-philippines.com/bohol-church.html, next, where we could stay in a nice hotel on a beautiful white beach and visit not only the three restored Spanish organs I have talked about, but also the Chocolate Hills. We would stop to see the rare tarsier, see beautiful rice paddies, drive through the mahogany forest, take a boat trip up the river and be entertained by the locals. And, of course, we would be treated to a short concert on each organ, as well as time to play on them. Panoramas of Bohol!

How 'bout it? Would you be interested? Would any of your friends be interested?

Right now round-trip flights are around $1200 from the middle of the US. Who knows what they would be in a year, say? We'd stay in reasonably priced hotels, unless you need luxury, food would be much cheaper than here, etc. I haven't a figure that would hold water right now, but it would be a trip of a lifetime for you! It could be in January or during the summer.

I would love to hear from you, and you can send my blog URL to your friends, too, and see if we could find enough people to do such a thing! For my part, it would be sheer fun to share what I have discovered there. Like, who gets to go to the Philippines?

Let me know!

Here are some pics.
Rod
December 2009

The Church of San Pedro Organ, Loboc, Bohol

2009-11-22T16:20:00.000-08:00

Further inland about a half hour, through thick mahogany forests, lies the town of Loboc. The 1734 church also has a beautiful, old Spanish organ, restored by Cealwyn Tagle (Diego Cera Organbuilders), in 2003. It has one manual with 8 note pedals, and has 24 stops, from the 1830's.

Yet more sweet sounds in a beautiful, colorful church! I particularly loved the painting that is above his organ. Here are pictures of the organ and the painting.

Across the river you can catch a riverboat, which will take you up to the falls and feed you lunch on the way, entertained by musicians. And along the way back you will stop to be entertained by the natives. What fun that was! Here is a short video I took of their dancing and singing.

Then you can go further up the road almost to Carmen to see the spectacular Chocolate Hills, some of the most unusual landscapes forms anywhere in the world. You can read more about this trip on my Trippert blog, too.

Needless to say, I was totally captivated by this island, these organs, and the tiny, rare tarsiers. It is an island to experience, and this is only the western tip of it!

Holy Trinity Parish Organ, Loay, Bohol, Philippines

2009-11-21T13:38:00.000-08:00

From Baclayon I jumped on a jeepney and went to Loay. Open air ride, as always. The destination--the "White" church, as someone called it, up on the hill above the main road. This little coastal town doesn't seem to have a lot else, it appeared to me, but then my focus was not on the town, but on another restored organ. And the next leg of my journey took me inland.

I walked by this wonderful building on the way up the little hill. I love the native architecture and this is a rare sight, particularly with all the decoration. Economics seems to rule and there are few older native structures left, it seems, unless there are of stone.

At the top of the hill sits this centuries old church, which looks a bit ragged and in need of a lot of restoration. Surprisingly there are quite stunning paintings on the ceiling. Alas, I cannot get the one I would love to show you to download! It is a small painting of a woman playing an organ. Well, you will just have to go to see it for yourself!

This organ is another originally built by the Spaniard, Diego Cera, in 1841. Sitting on it's own side balcony, it was also restored by Cealwyn Tagle of Diego Cera Organbuilders in 1999. It has one manual with 12 note Pedal - 20 stops (divided keyboard). Of course all of the old Spanish organs had divided keyboards. It was a perfect way to be able to play a solo with accompaniment on a one-manual instrument!

To get into the balcony I had to speak with a priest in training, who took me up. And here is what we found! I wish I could remember the name of the stop that undoubtedly had the sweetest sound I have ever heard out of an organ!

So after taking a picture of some kids outside, I got on another jeepney which headed inland another few kilometers. Goal: the third restored organ! And that will be my next post.
If you would like to see and learn about the wonderful churches on Bohol, click here.

These kids were playing around the grounds, and jumped at the opportunity for a picture! Filipinos love to have their pictures taken!

OH, BTW, IF YOU NEED TO EARN SOME EXTRA MONEY FOR A VACATION, TO PAY BILLS, TO GET AHEAD, HERE IS AN OFFER THAT HAS JUST BEEN RELEASED! CLICK TO WATCH A 2 MINUTE VIDEO! IT'S CALLED THE "INTERNET TOOLKIT"

ORGANS of BOHOL, Philippines

2009-11-21T07:12:00.000-08:00

I arrived at Bohol Island by boat, coming from Cebu, which was only a short trip. This picture was taken from my hotel in Tagbilaran. I was on a fact-finding trip. Bohol has a wealth of beautiful churches, but my main goal was to see and play the three old Spanish organs that have been restored there. And to see if I would enjoy living on this island.

Tired of Manila and the noise and grime and in-your-face everything, I was looking for a more rural setting, like Western Massachusetts, you know! And a place where E could continue his schooling and I could have some organs to play!

Arriving in Tagbilaran, the main port city on the western side of the island, I plopped into a tricycle with my bags, and asked for a hotel I had seen listed in my Lonely Planet guide. I say plopped, as these little tricycle cubicles are not big, even for me, and getting in and out always made me feel physically challenged! Since most of them run with very old scooters, they are often nearly muffler-less and also shock-less! They are NOT the Cadillacs of transportation, are the biggest polluters of any vehicle there, and multiply by the millions, which can cause a roar!

Out for my first walk, I discovered that there weren't many suitable restaurants to choose from (suitable to my tastes, anyway), but I did discover a decent supermarket, which was a plus in my survey of what I would need to survive there. I admit that I never grew fond of Filipino food in the entire seventeen months. Out of the big cities, western style food is nonexistant.

So I hailed this guy down, got in his tricycle, handed him a few hundred pesos, and asked, "Can you show me the area in an hour?" So off we went, and I not only saw some of Tagbilaran, but also the adjoining little island of Panglao, which is home to some beautiful beaches, resorts and a bat cave, which we visited. Considering the bats hanging overhead, I didn't go swimming along with the natives!

Going through the middle of this small island, we bumped past this little shrine. The Philippines, you know, is very heavily Catholicized, and the people are very faithful. Masses are packed! Methodists and Baptists are pretty strong, too, as are the Adventists and the exclusive (not inclusive!) Iglesia ni Cristo (with all their churches using the same architectural pattern and a strict pay to join policy). I tried to join their musicians web group but was rejected! Oh well--their loss!

That evening I took another tricycle to nearby Baclayon, where a newly restored Spanish organ was being given it's second recital. Restored by Cealwyn Tagle, of Diego Cera Organbuilders of Las Pinas (curators of the famous Bamboo Organ in Las Pinas), this beautiful organ sits in a huge balcony in this 1717 church made of coral stone. This may be the oldest church in the entire country.

Here is a quote from bohol-philippines.com about the church: "The Baclayon Church of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion in Baclayon town is considered as one of the best preserved Jesuit-built churches in the region, although in the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects added a modern facade and a number of stone buildings that now surround the church."

As you see, the organ case was not restored, and it now sits closer to the edge of the balcony, rather than back in the corner. I did not get to play it until a couple days later, when their organist/choirmaster was able to meet me. And what a fun experience. What sweet sounds! Two Manuals of sheer fun. I understand that when restoration work began they discovered that it had had a second manual, so that was also restored. What great fun to be able to play on it more often!

"The turn of the century rebuild eliminated the 2nd division and manual. If you look at the pictures you will see there was a piece of wood covering the place where that manual was. When Cealwyn did further investigating in the storeroom the missing chest, or what was left of it, and the missing manual were found but were unusable so a new one was made and the appropriate stop knobs and linkages made and installed."

More information on this organ can be found at Diego Cera Organbuilders as well as on the other organs they have restored and built. I recommend this wonderfully skilled organ builder, Cealwyn Tagle, who received his training in Germany and is the only organ builder in the Philippines. He also curates the famous Bamboo Organ in Las Pinas. You could get an organ built just for you for a heck of a lot less than one made in Europe or America! And you would be pleased with it! The little two-manual he built for Union Church in Makati is a gem!

Here is a quote from bohol-philippines.com about the church: "The Baclayon Church of the Our Lady of the Immaculate Concepcion in Baclayon town is considered as one of the best preserved Jesuit-built churches in the region. It is one of the best presevered Jesuit build churches in the region, although in the 19th century, the Augustinian Recollects added a modern facade and a number of stone buildings that now surround the church."

In fact, as things almost turned out, I would have ended up in Baclayon as the teacher of their music director. Now here is a young man, with a wife and a child, who is dying to get a music education. He has played rock, you name it, but totally loves Classical music. On his own there is NO WAY he will ever get that opportunity! Anyone reading this want to support a budding musician through college? It is quite inexpensive there, I warn you! He is intelligent, full of energy and wants SO to learn! So far he has learned what he knows by hook or by crook. He actually teaches in the churches' High School, directs their choir and the church choir. And at the Sunday evening mass, the choir sings Latin choral music once a month! And quite well, I must say.

What a great gift to help someone this worthy! There are good teachers and schools in Manila where he could fulfill his life's dream! Otherwise, he'll be stuck there forever, dreaming of what life could be if he could just learn! Alas, this is the fate of so many young, talented and enthusiastic people in the Philippines. It is all economics.

By the way, did you know that the Philippines has a very strong choral tradition? I was truly amazed at how these people love to sing! And there are a lot of tenors, too! I coached a Methodist choir a couple times in Manila, and while they are pretty gusto, they were able to respond well and they obviously loved what they were doing. College choirs compete regularly in festivals, churches have many choirs, and the famous Las Pinas Boy's Choir wins International Contests! The church is very strong, and I was amazed at how many people crowded masses!
Go to my Trippert blogs for more on the Philippines.

This is the ocean and mangrove forest across the street from the church. And the organ again, closer up. I am really sorry that I cannot give you a few sounds. I do have a dream of doing a recording of old Spanish organs in the Philippines, but...

I will leave off with this sunset from Baclayon. For the next post we will be in Loay, up the coast a few kilometers.

MY MUSIC WORLD

2009-11-17T18:37:00.000-08:00

Music has been a part of my life since i began school and studied piano. I went on to organ and voice which ended up being my career. I sang a little professionally in New England and in NYC, played the piano for singers in recitals, auditions, rehearsals, lessons, and ended up loving playing the organ!

Growing up in Kansas, in a musical family, was a rich blessing. My dad played harmonica, guitar, accordian, jews harp and sang. Mom sang in the choir, and her sisters played the piano, so when family came to visit we'd all join in at the piano to sing old show tunes. Dad would often sing and play for my sister and I when we went to bed, or entertain guests who popped by. Those were the days when people just dropped in for a visit! Wonderful times!

After quite a few years into my career, I took a break for five years. I thought I wouldn't miss it, and in a way I did not. Weird! I bought a small bookstore/art gallery in Gettysburg. Then I came back to music for another twelve years. And I loved it! Go figure.

My blog is about how music has always been integral to my life, whether i was making it or just listening. I will include posts on pipe organs, voices and singing technique, and other musical thoughts

I always wait for inspiration. Love to have you along for the ride! You can check out my website, Rod's World, where I share my passion for music, gardens, life, and health. Thanks for taking the time to be with me and feel to subscribe to the blog or to my website.

Rod

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