Organ recital delights packed audience

Jan 29 2009 by Shirley Bartynek, Hamilton Advertiser

WORLD-FAMOUS organist Carlo Curley last week delighted and enthralled an audience at St Mary's Parish Church in Motherwell.

The American presented a two-hour recital which showcased his immense talent.

He played on the church’s newly installed Allen organ.

Playing to a full house, he performed selections by Johann Sebastian Bach, George Thalben-Ball, Dvorak and, on the eve of Burns Night, an organ rendition of My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose.

The recital was peppered with his trademark commentary and performed in flamboyant style.

Later, Curley autographed programmes and dedicated recordings to audience members which included organ enthusiasts from across Scotland. A party of 28 travelled from Dunoon to hear him play.

The Rev. David Doyle, St Mary's minister, said:"It was something of a coup to bring Carlo Curley to St Mary's and the event was one of sheer brilliance. It was highly memorable and inspiring.

“We are now even more proud of our new organ.

“One audience member said the concert was called The Carlo Curley Spectacular and it was most certainly that and more.

“He had the organ whispering and booming and his exquisite rendering of My Love is Like a Red, Red Rose brought a tear to the eye - a night to remember indeed."

A committee headed by Maureen Dick, Allan Joyce, Alan Gillon, Margaret Carrol and Joyce Knox worked for over a year to organise Curley's visit to St Mary's.

The organist has previously performed recitals at the White House, New York's Carnegie Hall and St Paul’s Cathedral.