A comprehensive dictionary of organ stops - Allen Organ Studio of ...

PREFACE. Vll
from the facts that a good builder* may safely be trusted to know his
business, and that different builders are at their best when dealing severally
with different scales, it is not for one moment to be supposed that the
scales given in this volume are all of a standard equally adapted for
incorporation in any one organ. Provided he is sufficiently well informed,
an organist is undoubtedly within his rights in "designing'' an organ—to the
extent that with him rests the decision whether the Great organ is to contain
a Hohlflbte or a Waldflote or a Tibia, a Trumpet or a soft Tuba, the Swell
a Cornopean or an Oboe, and so forth—but the dictatorial imposition of
arbitrary scaling is entirely outside his lawful province. The more carefully
these distinctions are recognized, the more ready will organ builders be
to listen to any suggestions. In the case of the various stops of novel
structure included in this book, the matter rests on a somewhat different
basis. Here such particulars are given as may well serve as a general
guide. And under Diapason I have commented on what, I am convinced,
is a distinct abuse of Scaling.
In these days of progress, such books as this are necessarily of but
fleeting and short-lived technical value. One invention presses hot upon
the footsteps of its predecessor, with the result that in the space of a few
years, the whole aspect of any technical science undergoes transformation.
Even while this book was passing through the press, it was necessary
to insert descriptions of various new stops, in order to ensure the work
being absolutely up-to-date. For this reason I have striven to render the
present book of some historical interest. In this connection, there is one
point only requiring explanation, and that is, that in the cases of obsolete
or obsolescent stops, the recorded instances of their employment have not
necessarily reference to organs still extant, though, of course, where
possible, existing instruments have been drawn upon.
It was felt that in many cases some explanation of the origin and
meaning of the various stop names, would be a source of interest to
readers. In the prosecution of this task, free use has been made of a
" Dictionary of Etymology " by the author's grandfather, the late
Mr. Hensleigh Wedgwood, M.A., sometime Fellow of Christ College,
Cambridge. The fact that this Dictionary is based almost exclusively
on the theory (then regarded as quite exceptional, and affirmed by him in
opposition to the contentions of Professor Max Miiller), that the formation
of words is mainly to be attributed to a process of onomatopoeia, that the
radical basis of articulate sound is mainly imitative of natural sound
* Of course, the numerous "jerry-builders''—obscure or notorious—are entitled to
no consideration. They rank trade before art, commercialism before emulation. No
sane person will ever consent to have dealings with them. The present abominable
system of competition by tender, rather than selection according to merit, has much to
answer for.
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