Latest news with #BillHutcheson
Scotsman
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
Kelvingrove organist's remarkable achievement is well worthy of praise
Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... On October 22, 1969, the song Sugar Sugar by The Archies had just gone to number one in the charts. However, if you had gone into Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on that day, you would have witnessed the first official performance by a rather different but very special musician. He did not know it then, but organist Bill Hutcheson would go on to play regularly at the Glasgow venue for the next 56 years and he has now been presented with a commemorative plate in recognition of his service. Sixty years ago, he had been allowed to try the organ. Fifty years ago, he played during celebrations of the city's 800th anniversary and yesterday he played at an event marking its 850th. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Organist Bill Hutcheson has played the organ at Kelvingrove Museum regularly since the 1960s (Picture: Jeff J Mitchell) | Getty Images Hutcheson said the organ had become 'like an old friend, capable of anything from a whisper to a roar' and praised his audiences for being 'open to everything, from Bach to swing to the unexpected'.
Scottish Sun
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scottish Sun
‘I'll play until my last days on earth', beloved musician has been at iconic Scots landmark since the moon landing
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AN organist, who has been playing at a famous Scottish landmark since man landed on the moon, has vowed to keep performing until his last days on earth. Bill Hutcheson gave his first recital at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in October 1969 when he was 21, just three months after Neil Armstong took 'one giant leap for mankind.' Sign up for the Entertainment newsletter Sign up 4 Bill Hutcheson beside the famous organ. 4 The Lord Provost of Glasgow Jacqueline McLaren hands Bill a commemorative plate to mark Glasgow's 850th birthday. 4 Bill Hutcheson gives a landmark performance to mark Glasgow's 850th birthday. And at 77 he is still going strong when yesterday (wed) the musician performed on the giant instrument to mark the 850th birthday celebrations of the City of Glasgow. Bill from Paisley said: 'The organist of York, a Mr Francis Jackson, was 104 when he died and he did his last concert when he was 96. 'So I have that to aim for, but I'm certainly not ready to stop yet.' Bill started playing piano aged five, before starting lessons at eight years old. Then in his teens, he studied at Glasgow Cathedral. But his relationship with the Kelvingrove organ goes back even further as he first played on it in 1964 as a schoolboy, thanks to a gallery assistant who arranged for him to try it out. Fifty years ago, the dad of two performed as part of the celebrations marking Glasgow's 800th anniversary. Since 2006, there have been over 7,000 daily recitals which are performed at 1pm on the organ that was made and installed for the museum's opening in 1901. He said: 'It's been a privilege to play this magnificent instrument for over five decades and to be part of Glasgow's 850 celebrations. 'The organ is like an old friend, capable of anything from a whisper to a roar. What makes these recitals so special is the audience. 'They're open to everything, from Bach to swing to the unexpected. In a city renowned for music, it's a pleasure to bring joy to so many people, in one of our finest museums.' Moment climate protesters GLUE themselves to painting at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery Lord Provost of Glasgow Jacqueline McLaren said: 'Bill's dedication to the world-famous organ recitals in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has enriched our city's cultural heritage and brought joy to countless visitors. 'His performances have become a favourite tradition and for some a happy introduction to the world of organ music, usually more associated with places of worship. 'This milestone is even more momentous as Bill took part in the Glasgow 800 celebrations. Today, fifty years on, we honour his commitment, exceptional service and his place as an integral part of Glasgow's vibrant cultural life." His landmark recital featured A Glasgow Flourish, arranged by Bill and woven with familiar melodies linked to the city, while his Finale was from Sonata No. 4 by Alexandre Guilmant. Bill is one of around 25 organists who perform at Kelvingrove, under the musical direction of Dr James Hunter, Director of Music at the museum. He said: 'The world has changed a lot since the moon landings, but fortunately the organ has remained the same as it was originally built.'
The Independent
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Independent
Organist celebrates 56 years of music with recital for Glasgow's 850th birthday
An organist will celebrate more than 56 years of performing in Glasgow at a special recital to honour his contribution to the city's cultural life on Wednesday. Bill Hutcheson first performed a recital at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum on October 22 1969 and he has played the attraction regularly ever since. Fifty years ago, Mr Hutcheson performed as part of celebrations marking Glasgow's 800th anniversary and since the gallery reopened after a refurbishment in 2006 he has often played during daily recitals. On Wednesday, he will play once more to mark the city's 850th anniversary and will later be presented with a commemorative plate in recognition of his service. The recital will feature A Glasgow Flourish, arranged by Mr Hutcheson and woven with familiar melodies linked to the city; Kelvingrove, a piece specially commissioned for Mr Hutcheson by his family and composed by John Barber; and the finale from Sonata No 4 by Alexandre Guilmant, among other pieces. He said: 'It's been a privilege to play this magnificent instrument for over five decades and to be part of Glasgow's 850 celebrations. 'The organ is like an old friend, capable of anything from a whisper to a roar. What makes these recitals so special is the audience. They're open to everything, from Bach to swing to the unexpected. 'In a city renowned for music, it's a pleasure to bring joy to so many people, in one of our finest museums.' Lord Provost of Glasgow Jacqueline McLaren said: 'Bill's dedication to the world-famous organ recitals in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has enriched our city's cultural heritage and brought joy to countless visitors. 'His performances have become a favourite tradition and, for some, a happy introduction to the world of organ music, usually more associated with places of worship. 'This milestone is even more momentous as Bill took part in the Glasgow 800 celebrations. 'Today, fifty years on, we honour his commitment, exceptional service and his place as an integral part of Glasgow's vibrant cultural life.'
Scotsman
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Scotsman
The 'momentous' musician who has played Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Galley and Museum organ for 60 years
Bill Hutcheson first played the Kelvingrove organ in 1964 - and he is now marking the Glasgow 850 celebrations Sign up to our Arts and Culture newsletter, get the latest news and reviews from our specialist arts writers Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... A musician who first played the iconic Kelvingrove organ more than 60 years ago as a schoolboy has given a special performance to mark his long-standing service. Organist Bill Hutcheson was allowed to try out the instrument at Glasgow's Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum by a gallery assistant in 1964, before holding his first official recital five years later. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum in Glasgow | Adobe Now, he is to hold a special performance on Wednesday as part of the city's Glasgow 850 celebrations. The performance comes 50 years after he played as part of the celebrations marking Glasgow's 800th anniversary on May 14, 1975. Since 2006, following the reopening of the historic venue after a major refurbishment, Mr Hutcheson has performed regularly at the daily Kelvingrove Museum organ recital series. The performances hold the world record for the longest-running free daily organ recital. The Lord Provost of Glasgow, Jacqueline McLaren, will present Mr Hutcheson with a commemorative plate in recognition of his outstanding service. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum is another of Scotland's most interesting buildings. | cornfield - Mr Hutcheson said: 'It's been a privilege to play this magnificent instrument for over five decades and to be part of Glasgow's 850 celebrations. 'The organ is like an old friend, capable of anything from a whisper to a roar. What makes these recitals so special is the audience. They're open to everything, from Bach to swing to the unexpected. In a city renowned for music, it's a pleasure to bring joy to so many people, in one of our finest museums.' Ms McLaren said: 'Bill's dedication to the world-famous organ recitals in Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum has enriched our city's cultural heritage and brought joy to countless visitors. His performances have become a favourite tradition and for some a happy introduction to the world of organ music, usually more associated with places of worship. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad 'This milestone is even more momentous as Bill took part in the Glasgow 800 celebrations. Today, 50 years on, we honour his commitment, exceptional service and his place as an integral part of Glasgow's vibrant cultural life.' This week's recital features A Glasgow Flourish, arranged by Mr Hutcheson and woven with familiar melodies linked to the city; and Kelvingrove, a piece specially commissioned for the organist by his family and composed by John Barber, in honour of his 50th anniversary of recitals at Kelvingrove in 2019. Meanwhile, the recital will also include the Finale from Sonata No. 4 by Alexandre Guilmant, among others. Mr Hutcheson is one of around 25 organists who perform at Kelvingrove, under the musical direction of DrJames Hunter, the museum's director of music. He has been performing much more regularly for the past 18 years, following the reopening of the museum in 2006. Mr Hutcheson's love of music began early, tinkering on the house piano aged five, before starting lessons at eight years old. A fascination with the organ encouraged his parents to let him try organ lessons and he played his first church service when he was 12. In his teens, he studied at Glasgow Cathedral with John Turner. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad His first official Kelvingrove recital in 1969 was organised by the Glasgow Society of Organists. The group used to organise five recitals each summer and autumn, and of which Mr Hutcheson has been president on two occasions. He was one of five organists invited to perform in 1975 for the Glasgow 800 celebrations and remembers the occasion well.
