Festal Day.
- 17 years ago
George Blackmore FRCO, one of Britain's most popular and most versatile organists, was born in Chatham in 1921. He first played the cinema organ at the Regent, and later at the Palace in Chatham. At 18 he was appointed organist to the Majestic in Rochester, a nearby town and gave his first broadcast from there in 1941. George spent his Service years in the RAF. Upon being discharged he was appointed to the Gaumont Birmingham and broadcast regularly for the BBC.
From 1950 George spent seven years (frequently on air) playing the Compton organs in the Capitol and Astoria Theatres. In 1957 he joined Associated British Cinemas (ABC) and toured their theatres also. He was well known outside his native country and frequently toured Australia and the United States, endearing himself to the American Theatre Organ Society at their 1975 convention in San Francisco.
Unfortunately George passed away on February 21 1994.
I include this composition as a tribute to him.
(Astute listeners might detect the beginning of the famous Trumpet Voluntary in the opening pedal notes of this piece. George once told me this was a complete coincidence. I wonder?)
From 1950 George spent seven years (frequently on air) playing the Compton organs in the Capitol and Astoria Theatres. In 1957 he joined Associated British Cinemas (ABC) and toured their theatres also. He was well known outside his native country and frequently toured Australia and the United States, endearing himself to the American Theatre Organ Society at their 1975 convention in San Francisco.
Unfortunately George passed away on February 21 1994.
I include this composition as a tribute to him.
(Astute listeners might detect the beginning of the famous Trumpet Voluntary in the opening pedal notes of this piece. George once told me this was a complete coincidence. I wonder?)