Douglas Reeve Plays The Dome Brighton Organ 1966 BBC Broadcast

Douglas Reeve Plays the Brighton Dome Organ. A BBC Light Programme Broadcast from Saturday, October 22nd 1966.

The Dome organ at 4 manuals and 41 ranks installed in 1936 was specially designed by Dr Stanley Roper, then organist at the Chapel Royal, Windsor; Dr Alfred Abdey, Borough organist at that time, and Quentin Maclean. The latter of - officially opened the instrument when completed. It was built by Wm. Hill & Son and Norman & Beard, Ltd. (Makers of Christie Unit Cinema Organs) cost £8,800. The organ, in four chambers, is divided to either side of the proscenium: on the left the Solo, with Swell beneath; on the right the Great, with Accompaniment beneath. A single blower above the left chambers feeds this enormous organ, a supply trunk over the stage taking wind to the right-hand portions. Bells, Sleigh Bells, Chimes and Chrysoglot / Vibraphone, the latter being sensibly placed immediately behind the shutters in the Accompaniment chamber.

Douglas Reeve is the name that has been and always will be associated with the Dome, Brighton, but they did not officially meet until 1941 when the Dome having been converted into a dance hall, he was appointed dance organist as a relief to the dance band. Thousands of servicemen and women became familiar with his style, the use of the snare drum, and expressive use of the powerful reed stops, during those five years. He was appointed Borough Organist when the Dome was reconverted into a concert hall again in 1946. Douglas Reeve was born in Brighton. He learnt the piano at an early age, and at only nine years old had graduated to a local church organ. Aged 14, Douglas Reeve was appointed Assistant to H.G. Goddard at the Savoy Cinema in Brighton. While there was spotted by the BBC staff organist Reginald Foort when visiting the Regent cinema in the town. Douglas Reeve was immediately engaged as a "Wonder Boy Organist". Dressed in an Eton collar and what he described as a "bumfreezer" jacket, Reeve toured the UK for County Cinemas.
Theatres he visited included the Regals at Golders Green, Canterbury, Wimbledon and Hull, the Ritzes at Nottingham and Southend; the Empire Aldershot, and the Majestic and Capitol at Wembley. From the beginning of 1936, he played for variety acts at the Regal and Orpheum cinemas in Golders Green, sometimes appearing at the organ in a solo spot. This fine Organist will forever be associated with this Wonderful HNB "Christie" Brighton Dome organ and the distinctive sounds. Douglas Reeve was also a fine after-dinner speaker and loved sharing his many organ stories from years gone by. A much-missed organist. Please note this recording was done on a mono 1960s tape recorder, so the sound quality is not up to modern-day recordings.

Видео Douglas Reeve Plays The Dome Brighton Organ 1966 BBC Broadcast канала Bramley Productions