The Organist Entertains

The Organist Entertains was a long-running music programme broadcast on BBC Radio 2. The 30 minute programme focused on the organ in its many guises, and played recordings and live broadcasts of theatre organs, pipe organs and electronic organs around the United Kingdom and the rest of the world.

For the Tindersticks track of this title, see The Hungry Saw.

The Organist Entertains
GenreOrgan music
Running time30 minutes
Country of originUnited Kingdom
Language(s)English
Home stationBBC Radio 2
Hosted by
Original release11 June 1969 (1969-06-11) –
8 May 2018 (2018-05-08)
Opening theme"From This Moment On" by Cole Porter
Websitewww.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b006wr9w

The programme ran as a weekly feature on Radio 2 from 11 June 1969[1] and was originally presented by Robin Richmond, playing himself and introducing guest organists. Early guests included Ena Baga (Odeon, Hammersmith), Doreen Chadwick (The Gaumont, Manchester), Harold Robinson Cleaver (Astra, Llandudno), William Davies (The Granada, Tooting), Douglas Reeve (The Dome, Brighton), Dudley Savage (ABC Plymouth) and Gerald Shaw (Odeon, Leicester Square).

On November 12 1970, Robin Richmond introduced the newest BBC Theatre Organ, installed at The Playhouse Theatre, Manchester, with performances on the organ by Ernest Broadbent, Reginald Dixon and Reginald Porter Brown.[2]

In 1980, Nigel Ogden took over as presenter.[3] In Ogden's absence, the programme was occasionally guest presented by Blackpool Tower organist Phil Kelsall.[4] The programme's introductory music was "From This Moment On" by Cole Porter, played by Ogden.

On 10 January 2018, the BBC announced that the programme was to be discontinued after being on air for almost half a century.[5] The final programme was broadcast on 8 May 2018.[6]

References
  1. "The Organist Entertains". Radio Times. Vol. 183, no. 2378 (London/South East ed.). BBC Magazines. 5 June 1969. p. 46. Retrieved 16 February 2018 – via BBC Genome Project.
  2. 'Gala Performance of The Organist Entertains', BBC Radio 2, 12 November 1970
  3. "Nigel Ogden biography". BBC Radio 2: Presenters. BBC. Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  4. Biography, philkelsall.co.uk, Retrieved 13 November 2010.
  5. "BBC Radio 2 announces schedule changes for Spring 2018". BBC Media Centre (Press release). BBC. 10 January 2018. The Organist Entertains (Tuesday 11pm-11.30pm), presented by Nigel Ogden; [...] will all be rested.
  6. "Nigel Ogden Entertains". iPlayer Radio. BBC. Retrieved 19 January 2020. Nigel Ogden is the featured organist for this, the final edition of The Organist Entertains as the show reaches the end of its 49-year run on Radio 2.
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