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Westminster AbbeyMission, BCMarch 4, 1973
Dear Stuart:
Further to our fruitful discussions last weekend, I'm returning under separate cover your materials on Kindersley (having copied both the 4-manual and 2-manual specifications).
Enclosed, some ideas on the proposed rebuild for you to mull over; and two other notions occur to me:
(1) the Solo division of your house organ, which you say isn't operating, has, presumably, a 7-note-oops-7-rank chest - just about what our pedal department would need, assuming that the Prince Rupert organ might supply an 8-rank for our new Great; any possibility? (2) I broach this with much uneasiness, but you'd want me to be frank! We desperately want that Fagotto 16, don't we? and they're pretty hard to come by, aren't they? but we know where there is one, don't we? and it doesn't appear that it's going to be used for the present, or perhaps for some time, does it? Over to you!
Finally, two interesting specifications - and you may keep these invaluable documents, as I have copies.
All for the moment. Keep thinking, scheming, planning, desiring; I'll do the same, with some praying thrown in - though come to think of it, you can do that as well as I, really!
Blessings,
Fr. Basil |
Vancouver BCMarch 6, 1973
Dear Father Basil:
I want first of all to thank you for your hospitality to me during my stay at the Monastery last week-end. Although I had never had the opportunity to visit a religious house as an overnight guest before, I can say that I felt quite at home, especially when there is an organ enthusiast to rap with!
It always amazes me, how there seems to be a design in life, and how our lives somehow seemed to be patterned by it. My meeting with Rory, for instance, has had many repercussions on both our lives, and on the lives of others. Through him, we have met, so what is next? I can hear a Diapason chorus in your chapel now - it is strictly up to us to make that dream a reality. Take courage, gird up thy loins! I have found, that we seek out what we require, and the means will be provided to get it, provided we have the faith and the desire.
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Vancouver, BCMarch 9, 1973 Dear Father:
Thanks for the letter, and your copies of the orgel-spoofs, they are really good for a laugh. I often think a lot of these organ guys take themselves pretty seriously, and they need to be checked up once in a while. Not that they likely could see the joke, they are of that type, I am afraid. But the rest of us can stand some humor.
Now for a look at your proposed scheme #1 - I shall call it that, and I hope you are keeping copies of your proposals and specs, as I do, so that we both can refer back as we no doubt often will have to do. Planning is half the fun. |
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Westminster AbbeyMarch 15, 1973
Dear Stuart:
There are other things I should be getting to this morning, but your recent letter is on my mind, plus a few other things, so here goes with comments on its contents:
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VancouverApril 13, 1973
Dear Father Basil:
I had thought you might be in the city this week, so have delayed answering your cards until now. I was hoping I might have the opportunity of hearing you play on an organ with some choruses suitable for the classics, someday that will happen, I am sure.
The Tellers catalog arrived all right, but there is nothing in the way of suitable chests for our use. They have a great number of ranks of used pipes which are quite reasonable, including a 61-note Fagotto for $200; a new set of the same costs $500.
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Jan 26, 1976Victoria BC
Dear Partner in Crime:
Rec'd your most welcome letter this morning - observe - I've turned over a new leaf and am answering my personal mail without delay! Bills, I don't give such quick attention.
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Westminster AbbeyMission, BCJanuary 25, 1994
Dear Stuart: Just a few lines into the new year, to wish you all the best; I trust this finds you well and flourishing.
I asked Father Abbot at the beginning of this month about putting the organ project on his agenda for 1994; he said simply, "No." What then - two years? Five years? "I don't know," was the reply.
So unless someone appears from nowhere with half a million and a burning desire to provide the abbey church with a fine organ, or the present instrument takes a dramatically deteriorating turn forcing something to be done, we are back to square one, on hold, bleak, without prospect.
I guess that's the way the good Lord wants it: utter hopelessness and therefore dependence on Providence. I am quite calm; the big thing is just to keep busy and untroubled. All for now - just thought I'd share the above with an old Orgelfreund -
Blessings,
Fr. Basil |
Westminster AbbeyMission BCJuly 17, 1998
Stuart-
Greetings, and I thought you might find the enclosed of interest!
Here No. 397 progresses slowly and carefully. Chamber, blower, chests and windlines complete; Solid state system now in process of hooking up; console down at shop, awaiting rebuild -
Coming over sometime this summer?
Blessings,
Fr. B
Note: This is Casavant Opus # 397 |
Mission, BCDecember 14, 1998
Stuart -
Many thanks for yours of the 7th.
Yeah - I know all about the unhappy events at First United, Victoria; not for me to comment, except we got the Chimney Flute 4' pipes from the Choir!
You may tell Stuart Kennedy that the "man from Calgary" is Tom Jamin, now Br. Peter, orgelbauer extraordinaire; big family; his parents still come from Calgary to visit a few times a year.
Will keep you posted on #397; may be up and running by Easter, but no predictions!
A blessed Christmastide
Fr. B |
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