Latest news with #KelvingroveArtGalleryandMuseum
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.'
Glasgow Times
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Glasgow Times
Glasgow organist's tribute to city's 850th anniversary
'I'm his strongest critic,' she says, with a smile. 'And his biggest supporter. I'm very proud of him today - but I'm proud of him every day.' On Wednesday (May 14) Bill marked more than 55 years of performing at Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum with a special recital arranged for Glasgow 850, the city's year-long celebration of its 850th anniversary. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) 'I did the organ recital for Glasgow 800 on May 14, 1975, and exactly 50 years to the day, I am doing it for Glasgow 850,' he says, proudly. 'It really is lovely, a real honour - and very good publicity for the organ and the city. Glasgow has the world's longest-running free daily organ recital and I'm very proud to be part of that.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Bill, who is now 76, started 'picking out tunes with his right thumb' on his mother's piano at the age of five. The family lived in Netherlee, and his mother was a gifted pianist who encouraged her son's love of playing. 'I got lessons at eight and that's when I realised what my other fingers were for,' he says, smiling. 'I liked the piano, but I was fascinated by the organ in my local church. I used to watch the organist in full flow, marvelling at the pedalling. I wanted a go at that….' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) He had his first organ lesson at the age of 12 and played his first church service six months later. As a teenager, he studied at Glasgow Cathedral with John Turner, who was the Cathedral's youngest-ever organist and is, Bill says, 'still going strong in his mid-80s.' Bill's first recital in Kelvingrove was in 1969. He loves the museum's beautiful, complex Lewis pipe organ, which was built for the 1901 Glasgow International Exhibition and moved in to the museum's central hall the following year. (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) 'This organ is like an old friend,' he says, softly, demonstrating the vast array of pedals and stops in a quiet moment before the recital begins. 'It is capable of everything from a whisper to a roar. The acoustics in the building are wonderful, and wherever you are, in the side galleries, on the balconies, on the stairs, you can hear the music.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Music has always been 'a hobby and a passion' for Bill, whose day job was in financial services. He and Moira, who is also an accomplished organist, live in Paisley, and the couple have two sons and two grandchildren. Over the years, a vast range of music has been played by the organists at Kelvingrove. In January 2016, Christopher Nickol's rendition of Life on Mars in tribute to David Bowie, following the singer's death earlier that day, was a hit on social media with millions of views in the space of a few hours. 'Some organists play classical music, others do contemporary, most do both,' says Bill. 'It's important to have a mix of the lighter pieces and the more stirring ones. The trick is to get the audience's attention early with something fast and exciting.' He adds, smiling: 'You never know who is in the audience, either – multi-millionaire film producer Michael Mendelsohn popped in recently, because he was in the city filming with James McAvoy.' (Image: Colin Mearns/Newsquest) Lord Provost of Glasgow Jacqueline McLaren, who presented Bill with a commemorative plaque in recognition of his outstanding service, 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." READ NEXT: Glasgow unveils city's first ever memorial to Merchant Navy 'It was the end of blackouts and air raids and fear' as Glasgow marked VE Day The Glasgow schools for 'homeless waifs' which helped feed city's poor At the Glasgow 850 recital, busy with tourists and schoolchildren, the programme included A Glasgow Flourish, arranged by Bill and woven with familiar melodies linked to the city; Kelvingrove, a piece specially commissioned for Bill by his family and composed by John Barber, in honour of Bill's 50th anniversary of recitals at Kelvingrove in 2019; and the Finale from Sonata No. 4 by Alexandre Guilmant. Bill has played organ recitals all over the country, but Kelvingrove will always have a special place in his heart. 'The audiences at Kelvingrove are what make it so wonderful,' says Bill. 'They're open to everything, from Bach to swing to the unexpected.' He pauses. 'Although French avant-garde music does tend to be a little less well-received.'
Leader Live
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Leader Live
Organist celebrates 56 years of music with recital for Glasgow's 850th birthday
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.'
Rhyl Journal
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Rhyl Journal
Organist celebrates 56 years of music with recital for Glasgow's 850th birthday
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.'
North Wales Chronicle
14-05-2025
- Entertainment
- North Wales Chronicle
Organist celebrates 56 years of music with recital for Glasgow's 850th birthday
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.'
