Cappel Arp Schnitger

[SMann]

Hi Brett,

I received the long anticipated Cappel Arp Schnitger DVD in the mail last week and it was definitely worth the wait! After playing it for a few days now I am certain that this will be my primary instrument of choice for the baroque literature. It has a marvelous “velvety” quality. The plenum is bright but never shrill or harsh and there appear to be virtually limitless tone color possibilities. It’s too bad that the manual coupler is disabled in the actual instrument because of the elegant way that the divisions blend and compliment each other. I have only experimented with it briefly but the Zimbelstern sure is fun! The only other one I’ve used is that of the Mt. Carmel Skinner. The character of the Schnitger’s is so entirely different and charming that it came as a complete surprise.

Thanks for making available this delightful sample set!

Regards,
Steve Mann

[Grant_Youngman]

Thanks for making available this delightful sample set!

R

I wholeheartedly second that!

After listening to the excerpts on Amazon, I just ordered the CD recorded on this instrument by Egbert Ennulat in 2000. Should be a joy, and I think instructive in many respects.

I'm hoping the CD comes with an indication of registration, but if not, perhaps an email to Ennulat (who teaches at the Univeristy of GA) will yield some detail.

[SMann]

Hi Grant,

The default settings of the organ's 10 general "pistons" come preset with some useful registrations to try. A page in the included instruction guide indicates what these combinations are. Of course the pistons can then be reprogrammed by the user.

Regards,
Steve

[Grant_Youngman]

Hi Grant,

The default settings of the organ's 10 general "pistons" come preset with some useful registrations to try.

Hi, Steve ..

Yes, and there are many good examples in the demos -- especially in the recently added Partitas which have been very useful.

I think it will be interesting to compare the "live" recordings of the instrument with the sample set playing in my living room ...

[Jim Reid]

Grant wrote, in part:

"I think it will be interesting to compare the "live"
recordings of the instrument with the sample set
playing in my living room ..."

Well, I really failed in comparing Jiri's similar
test over the last couple of weeks! Only on the
2nd "test" did I get even one correct. It is not
an easy matter to tell the delta between an HW2,
well done sample set and the "live" instrument.

And I thought I was absolutely correct each time....

Be interesting to see how you do!

[B. Milan]

Thank you Steve and Grant! I am glad you are both enjoying the new set, it was my pleasure creating it! I guess I did fail to add the Zimbelstern to the stop list, my apologies for that. Little surprises like that are nice sometimes!

I own the Egbert Ennulat CD of this organ, It is very good and the recordings are quite similar in nature to the virtual organ. Not exactly the same of course, but a similar perspective of the organ, I think. I trust you will enjoy the CD. My only reservation is that there are no full plenum registrations, but the fact that all pieces demonstrate a wide variety of the organs resources still makes it a must have. I know you will enjoy your purchase. See how the blower compares. :)

[Grant_Youngman]

I own the Egbert Ennulat CD of this organ, ...My only reservation is that there are no full plenum registrations, but the fact that all pieces demonstrate a wide variety of the organs resources still makes it a must have. I know you will enjoy your purchase. See how the blower compares. :)

Hi, Brett ...

The fairly "small" but colorful registrations are one of the things I like about the selections on this CD. I think the instrument really shines in that regard.

It's hard to get a sense of the blower noise from the short demos on Amazon. I can play the CD through the audio system I use for Hauptwerk, so it should be an interesting listen :)

[JPSmith]

Another must-have CD for fans of the Cappel Schnitger is Helmut Walcha's recording "Organ Masters Before Bach" (DG 4697642). Walcha's last record, it was made immediately after von Beckerath's restoration of the organ. It offers plenty of examples of full plenum registrations and every other kind as well.

[Grant_Youngman]

Another must-have CD for fans of the Cappel Schnitger is Helmut Walcha's recording "

Thanks for the pointer. It's on the way now :)

[Anton Heger]

Seen on the internet:

http://www.cd-lp-dvd.net/product_info.php/products_id/8330

For 9.99 euro: all the works of Bach in MP3 format.
Played by Helmut Walcha in Cappel and Lubeck.

[JPSmith]

Seen on the internet:

http://www.cd-lp-dvd.net/product_info.php/products_id/8330

For 9.99 euro: all the works of Bach in MP3 format.
Played by Helmut Walcha in Cappel and Lubeck.

This is the Bach integrale Walcha recorded in the early 50's. The Cappel recordings (most of the set) pre-date the von Beckerath restoration. These are historically important performances, but are in MONO, and as could be expected the sonics aren't the greatest (I have them on CD's). Still, worth having for Cappel Schnitger fans. You can also get this set on 10 CD's for $17 at Amazon (Document B000E6UL6I)

[eajohnson]

Just received the sample set and it exceeded even my rather high expectations! What a sound.....every rank is useful and there are so many combinations and registration possibilities.

One question: the computer I am using has 2 GB memory. Do the 24 bit samples or the multiple tape loops lead to a more realistic sound? I can do one or the other. I am going to investigate it on my own of course, just interested to hear an opinion on that.

Again, thanks for making this instrument available to us. I am going to have lots of fun with this one (lawn mowing can wait!).
Eric

[mdyde]

Do the 24 bit samples or the multiple tape loops lead to a more realistic sound?

I would say that enabling multiple loops will give a more noticeable increase in realism/quality than enabling 24-bit.

Best regards,
Martin.

[B. Milan]

Hello Eric,

Thank you, I am glad that we have exceeded your expectations! I agree with Martin, with multiple loops you will have more pipe air movement which will result in more realism. The majority of the samples range from 5-8 seconds for multiple loops and from 2-4 seconds for single loops.

Just don't let the grass become too long!

[eajohnson]

Thanks for the opinions on that. After trying both 24 bit and multiple loops I have to agree.

My setup certainly proves you don't have to have a supercomputer to have excellent performance with HW and topnotch sample sets. I've only a very middle of the road Athlon 64 and 2 gb of memory; with judicious use of parameter settings it works, and works very well.

By the way it is raining so the grass is still growin........!!