British Theatre Organ Recordings

[Jason E]

Hello all. I'm new here, but I am a devout Anglican and a trained organist (though I do not have a current appointment). I love British church music and organ music in general, yet I have a fascination with theatre organ. Oddly enough, my CD collection contains several American CDs of George Wright and Lyn Larsen, though might any of you have recommendations for British CDs?

The (American) Organ Historical Society has much to offer, but where to begin? Any of my cyber-friends from the Anglican Church Music Forum are most willing to help out! I figured it best to post here, rather than there.

Cheers,
Jason

[diapason8]

Hi Jason,

I remember over here that Dudley Savage, and of course, Reg Dixon, made many recordings, which have been digitally remastered. I remember Savage giving a recital on a tiny 2-manual church organ in Weston-super-Mare about 30 years ago.

As an aside, I sometimes play Nigel Ogden's 'Penguin's Playtime' as a church` voluntary for informal services, and have been asked to play it at a wedding.

Nigel

[Tibia and Vox]

Len Rawle and Vic Hammett's recordings are terrific...

Hammett's are especially hard to find, but his jazzy stuff is worth the search.

[Jason E]

Ouch!

Get thee to St. Paul's Cathedral in London and repent for thy transgression! (Now if I could just stop laughing...)

[farmerboy]

Hello there Jason

May I recommend an organist by the name of Robert Wolfe, he has an amazing ear for authentisity for thesongs he plays, in a rip roaring, bouncy, exciting Blackpool style. I have lots of recordings of the theatre organ, but my current favorites have to be two recordings from the very finely installedBurtey Fen Compton in Lincolnshire, the first recording is a selection of the UKs finest organists playing a track or two each, in a host of varying styles for the Blackpool style to the smooth orchestral america style. The second is again along the same lines but it includes the younger,new up and coming organists up to the age of 24 ish... both have a very nice selection of slightly different tracks to what a lot of the other recordings have on ( tiger rag etc etc).

These CDs along with a whole host more are on the Cinema Organ society website.

Cheers

Farmerboy

[Jason E]

Hello Farmerboy

Many thanks for the recommendations! I notice you're based in Lincolnshire- beautiful country. Not to mention your cathedral...

Cheers,
Jason

[lancecornea]

One of Britain's finest in the post Reginald Dixon era was George Blackmore who I had the privilege of hearing when he toured Australia back in 1967 I think. Have a look at this link for the details of the Dendy Theatre Organ and the concert he gave.

http://theatreorgans.com/southerncro...oria/Dendy.htm

George was an FRCO and came from Rochester, Kent, where his organ playing career began in the Cathedral. Because of this background, George would often play the Wurlitzer "straight", without all the trems. and dish out something from the classical repertoire. And what a fabulous sound that was.[]

I don't know if he has any cd recordings but I have a vinyl EMI / Columbia disc SOEX9467 you may be able to locate. Well worth having![]

Cheers[]

Lance

[lancecornea]

Jason

I know you are a fan of Kevin Bowyer. Well on his Organ Xplosion Vol2 CD "Dambusters" is this track ["In Party Mood"] which is arranged by George Blackmore

On the Dendy Website you will also find details of concerts given by Vic Hammett and another of your favorites, Lyn Larsen.

Enjoy!

Lance

[Jason E]

Many thanks, Lance.

I didn't know Kevin Bowyer spent time amongst the mortal folk. What label is Dambusters on? It looks quite tasty.

Jason

[Model E]

Hi Jason,

I've been involved with the American Theater Organ Society for years and also haveBritish theater organistswho are friends. I'd highly recommend any CD by Simon Gledhill and also by Richard Hills.

We'll be attending the Cinema Organ Society's "north" convention in the later part of August during your Bankers Holiday weekend. The COS convention will be headquartered in Leeds. Both Simon and Richard will be playing as well as Lyn Larsen in addition to others. If you're not a member of COS, perhaps you should join and attend this gathering.

Regards,

Gib (aka Model E)