Latest news with #organist
BBC News
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wurlitzer wizard marks 45 years on the pedals at Thursford
A organist is celebrating four decades behind the keys of a Wurlitzer organ at a popular Wolfe, from Norwich, has played the organ for 45 years at Thursford in Fakenham, Norfolk, home to the annual Christmas Spectacular."To be here for the 45th year is absolutely fantastic, and I am loving it more than ever," he is expected to perform at the venue later in the year as part of Thursford's Steam Gala Day. Mr Wolfe, who was born in Luton, was invited to play at Blackpool Tower at the age of 16, becoming one of the youngest musicians to perform at the iconic ballroom."I was very lucky to be in that position at such an early age, and it was a great experience being there for three years," he said. Wurlitzer organs were used in movie theatres to evoke atmosphere and provide a live soundtrack during the era of silent film. During a trip to the museum when he was 19 years old, Mr Wolfe asked John Cushing, the chief executive at Thursford at the time, if he could play the original that visit in 1981, Mr Wolfe has since returned every year to play two shows a day for theatre closed during the pandemic, which had an impact on Mr Wolfe's confidence."In the year we closed with lockdown, I did not think there would be a return, and I did not that I would come back to it," he said."I lost a lot of my self-confidence. I thought that is it, my career is over."But I did come back, and I am so pleased I did."The Thursford organ was built about 100 years ago and is one of two of its kind still played regularly in the Wolfe is expected to play three shows during the Thursford's Steam Gala Day on 6 July. Follow Norfolk news on BBC Sounds, Facebook, Instagram and X.
ABC News
29-05-2025
- Entertainment
- ABC News
Victim of Croydon house fire identified as organist Edward 'Ted' Grantham
The victim of a house fire in Sydney's inner west has been identified as Edward "Ted" Grantham, and is being remembered as a passionate organist. Mr Grantham's body was discovered in his Croydon home on Wednesday morning after a fire tore through the 80-year-old's residence. Police arrested Christopher Grantham, 50, on a train on the Central Coast. He was charged with murder, domestic violence-related destruction of property with intent to endanger life and armed robbery. He was formally refused bail in the Gosford Local Court on Thursday morning. Mr Grantham has been remembered as a passionate music teacher and organist, playing at services at the Hunter Baillie Church in Annandale. ABC program Weekend Magazine featured the late Mr Grantham in 1979, showcasing a historic organ that he had shipped from England, and reconstructed in a purpose-built hall in his backyard. "I think the quality of the sound that comes out of this organ is very good," he told the program at the time. The music teacher constructed the instrument during a school holiday period with the help of some senior music students at De La Salle College in Ashfield. The hall, and the seven-metre-tall organ inside, are believed to have been untouched by the fire which claimed the life of its owner. In the program, Mr Grantham can be seen playing the instrument while his young children play in the backyard. Speaking outside the court on Thursday morning, Christopher Grantham's lawyer, Elias Tabchouri, said he had limited instruction from his client. "He's doing his best, as can be expected, considering the situation," Mr Tabchouri said. He said a decision hasn't been made on whether his client would fight the charges. "It's still far too early to make those kinds of decisions," Mr Tabchouri said. "This matter still has to be fully fleshed out and in time we'll deal with it appropriately."
BBC News
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Wolverhampton tea dance organist celebrates 100th birthday
An organist, who fulfilled his dream of performing for dancers at a town hall at the age of 99, has celebrated his 100th Bickley is a resident at the Croft Residential Home in Finchfield, Wolverhampton, and visits Wergs Golf Club in Tettenhall every day to "chew the fat with his friends", the home still enjoys playing his organ and "very much defies his age, thinking he is still in twenties", the home has played all his life, despite never having had a lesson, and said performing at a tea dance at Bilston Town Hall with friends from the home in October was "overwhelming". Mr Bickley, who has served in the Royal Navy, was invited to play in the interval at the dance and performed several songs for his being a mechanic in the Fleet Air Arm during World War Two, Mr Bickley, who has lived in Wolverhampton since he was a child, had a career as a salesman in the rag Hipwood, the care home's activities coordinator, said he has a "very sociable life", along with grandchildren, great-grandchildren, friends and family around the world."Bills secret to a wonderful life? Standard Bill response... 'keep breathing'.", Mr Hipwood Bickley, who turned 100 on Wednesday, can often be heard reciting his favourite comedy, Dad's Army, "in particular the famous 'Don't tell him Pike sketch'", he added. Follow BBC Wolverhampton & Black Country on BBC Sounds, Facebook, X and Instagram.
Times
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Times
Anna Lapwood review — the organist holds the Royal Albert Hall spellbound
The first thing to say about this concert — perhaps the most important thing — is that the Royal Albert Hall was packed to its flying saucers for a concert showcasing a classical organist. Older colleagues tell me that Anton Bruckner achieved the same — but that was back in 1871. So Anna Lapwood has undoubtedly broken through to a wider public — one that maybe doesn't go to many classical concerts, let alone organ recitals. Yes, she has been indefatigable about cultivating a following on TikTok, where she now has 1.2 million followers. But that's only a third of the story. Another third is her very marketable image: a quick-witted, winsome young woman in a musical field still mostly populated by nerdish male organists
