Hello folks, of course, I am not promoting this bench model, it is not patent-pending, but please allow me to comment yours views about it:
-Jeffery: a) Right: due to mechanical exigencies the first big organs had the positive division right behind the bench and I think this is the origin of this bench design. And as you observe, in cases like these the organist would had to have kangaroo feet to reach a small central bench. b) Your particular situation during Advent ¡ought to be addressed to Organist´s Union¡, c) I felt very flattered on you comment to my projects. Thanks.
-Ed : I do not find nice curved legs practival to reach the organ, unlike right angled legs. Anyway this is symptom of the eternal and unsolvable debate over primacy of values: what is more important, the practical or the aesthetic (as when the wife insists in placing a potted plant in the alley because it looks good, and the husband rejects is because it will obstruct walking).
-Cooky: The music can be placed under the seat part of the bench, as mine has in the picture.. Ruben did not like this additional feature in his bench.
-Graham: Right, in these cases long benches are necessary. And I admit being a kid sitting next to the organist is an unforgettable experience for him, as well as for us having our own kids sat with us during long services: these parental moment alone would justify by itself extra long benches.
-David: that is good point: I have seen organist messed with papers on the bench besides this does not offer a pleasant look to a neat location (such as church or living room). Most requested sheet music books could be placed under the bench table.
-Deebos: Yes. Many organist balance themselves in this way, as “our colleague” Cameron C. has to do¡ But holding the extrems of the bench to keep the equibrium –for instance in the final pedal solo of BWV 532- is easier in a shorter bench. OTOH I have been taught that the organist should not displace his respectable button over the bench in order to reach distant notes; he´d better pivot and move just his inferior extremities (as I can do when trying to play the F toccata solo pedal).
-Brooke. It would be nice to look a video of your acrobatics to get properly seated¡
-Matt: it seems we are playing in the same team¡
-Mcordeoy: No sir, you are very skillful as we can see in your blog… and also you have lovely assistants.
-Bomb: Right: teaching –usually- and duets –always- require long benches (OTOH IMSLP lists only 13 scores for organ duets)
Ok. I don´t think organ builders had in mind those mentioned long bench conveniences (placing books, duets, kids around…) when they design them, except organ´s architectural demands. Perhaps it is a only a matter of organ building tradition …and personal taste (for my opus 3, for instance, the monk, notwithstanding my arguments, definitely opted for the long bench, even having himself difficulties to sit down there).
Very nice talking and sharing thoughts with you, virtual friends.
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/41541030/Hauptwerk/asiento.jpg