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Nigel Ogden turns back the clock with a programme of popular organ recordings from the 78rpm era which have been re-released on CD.

Nigel Ogden turns the clock back with a programme of popular organ recordings from the 78rpm era which have been re-released, hiss free, on CD. The players include Sidney Torch, Reginald Dixon and Dudley Beavan on instruments that, with one notable exception, can't be heard today. For example the Compton organ installed in St George's Hall in London, the home of the Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Variety Department, was known as Βι¶ΉΤΌΕΔ Theatre Organ No 1 but was destroyed during an air raid in 1940. It's played by Reginald Foort with Alfredo Campoli on violin. Dudley Beavan plays the small but extremely effective Wurlitzer that ended up in the Granada Clapham Junction and Harry Davidson, who became better known as a dance band leader, plays one of the few installations in the UK by the Dutch firm Standaart at The Commodore Theatre in Hammersmith. The Wurlitzer at Blackpool's Tower Ballroom has been active since 1935 and is the only organ in the programme which you can still hear live today. It's played, naturally, by Mr Blackpool himself Reginald Dixon who recorded hundreds of 78s at its famous console. Before about 1941 Sidney Torch regularly displayed his mastery of the theatre organ demonstrating a technical expertise that was second to none. After then, he hardly ever touched it as he embarked on a glittering career as an orchestral conductor, composer and arranger, but tonight's programme ends with his typically brilliant creation around the song There's Something About A Soldier played on the Christie Organ at the Regal Marble Arch.

30 minutes

Last on

Thu 19 Aug 2010 22:00

Music Played

  • Blue Skies Are Around The Corner/ Park Parade / My Own

    Dudley Beavan

    • Empress – RAJ CD 900.
  • Ragamuffin Romeo

    Terance Casey

    • Retrovox Records – XPMM 1510591.
  • Song Of Paradise

    Reginal Foort / Alfredo Campoli

    • Beulah – 2PD7.
  • Just An Echo In The Valley

    Harry Davidson

    • Beulah – IPD7.
  • Music Maestro Please / Little Lady Make Believe

    Reginald Dixon

    • Empress – RAJ CD 862.
  • Round The Marble Arch / There’s Something About A Soldier

    Sidney Torch

    • Sterndale Records – STE 1002.

Broadcast

  • Thu 19 Aug 2010 22:00