August 2002

Eric Herz, distinguished Boston harpsichord maker, died on May 25 in Barton, Vermont, after having suffered from Alzheimer's disease for many years. Born in Cologne, Germany, in 1919, Herz emigrated to Palestine in 1939, eventually joining the Israel Philharmonic Orchestra as a player of flute and piccolo. He moved to Canada in 1951, and to Boston in 1953, where he joined the Hubbard and Dowd harpsichord shop before opening his own workshop in 1954. By the time of his retirement in 1996, Herz had produced nearly 500 instruments.

Cover

Grant Edwards, Portland,
Oregon

Episcopal Church of the
Nativity, Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia

From the builder

The third annual University of Iowa Institute for Sacred Music, entitled "Let All the World . . . ,"  was held February 14-16, 2002, in Iowa City.

Readers of the report on the third Southeastern Historical Keyboard Society conclave, published in The Diapason for February 1983, were treated to four caricatures of harpsichordists Edward Parmentier, Ton Koopman, Robert Conant, and Glen Wilson. These drawings, done by artist Jane Johnson, introduced her work to this magazine, for which she has become, de facto, a treasured "house" illustrator.

This article presents an historical overview of the development of hymn-based works in Nigeria. It will illustrate the various compositional techniques employed in creating new music from preexisting melodies. The musical discussion is limited to the works of four modern Nigerian composers, namely, Fela Sowande (1905-1987), Ayo Bankole (1935-1976), Joshua Uzoigwe (1946-), and Godwin Sadoh (1965-).

Most suppliers of electronic goods are quick to provide a high level of technical support. This means that they will hold hands with both "users" and "contractors" in assuring that their goods are
put to the right application and that, indeed, all the parts are working as
they should. Many will go way beyond the mere requirements of a guarantee to
stand behind their product. However, there are a few caveats that might help
illuminate the situation.