Regarded
as one of the most popular organists to entertain at the
The
Avondale Community Board of Auckland City was quick to respond with a grant of
NZD$3000 and one of the local businesses, Sibun’s Funeral Directors &
Advisors who have provided financial support for several of our “big ticket”
shows, also came up with a grant to help the cause. However, we really had little to fear, for
the
By the
concert day,
For
Robert it was a lightning visit, he and David Cates flew in on the Saturday
afternoon, the show was on Sunday, and they flew out back home on the Monday!
I could
hardly contain myself when we got Robert to the theatre late Saturday afternoon
so he could reacquaint himself with the Hollywood Wurli. Within a few short minutes those magic
sounds, so very much “Robert”, were tumbling out of the organ chambers and I
admit at a couple of stages to feeling my eyes well up at the thought of this
long-held dream of mine to get Robert Wolfe back to play the refurbished
Wurlitzer, finally being realised.
On
Sunday at
We were
treated to an ever-popular March Medley, the music of Ivor Novello and Ketelby,
Highland Cathedral, Wind Beneath my Wings…… to name a few.
These were interspersed with Quickstep medleys all given that wonderful Robert
Wolfe treatment!
Oh!
What a joy for me to see and hear Robert actually enjoying his time at the
Hollywood Wurlitzer, it responding to everything he asked of it – a far cry
from his previous visits where he battled with the instrument’s inherent
failings in a bid to make music on it.
Interval
saw David Cates “ravaged” by eager buyers of the selection of CDs and DVDs that
were brought along on the trip. It was
amazing to hear stories from some of our audience, who had been phoned up by
relatives and friends in
(Photo courtesy
FOTW member Mrs Vi Duff)
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The second half just flew by and included some video clips which
Robert accompanied, such as scenes from the movie The Dambusters with Robert playing that inspiring theme!
Sadly,
after over two hours of uplifting music and entertainment Robert brought the
program to a dramatic end with his legendary Storm at Sea complete with video
footage of a real whopper of a storm!
This had never been tried at the
Once
the spectacular ovation from the audience had settled down, Robert gave his
thanks to all concerned in bringing the show together, and concluded with For all we know, we may never meet again!
…and then of course, Happy Birthday
and Congratulations to the Hollywood
Wurlitzer for 25 glorious years!
I
probably do not need to tell you what came next – but yes – it was the fiery Tiger Rag! For Robert not to play this, his party piece,
at a show, it would be like a Simon & Garfunkel concert without Bridge Over Troubled Water - there would
be a riot!!
But not
to disappoint, our audience were whipped into frenzy and I never thought Robert
could race up and down those keyboards as fast as he did on this one, until
finally he took the console down very appropriately to Beside the Seaside and Here’s
to the Next Time!
Then…..
it was all over! A year’s planning gone
in as many hours – but oh what memories we have of a truly joyous celebration
of a great achievement and of musical entertainment.
It would be true to say that the last ten or
so years have been the most stable and secure for the ex-Regent Wurlitzer, we
can only hope and pray that she sees 50 years at the Hollywood – and what a
celebration THAT will be!!”
We also received email messages of
congratulations from many of you; the one below from Graham McBain is typical
of the positive effect Robert’s show had on all of us….
“Congratulations to you and all your associates on a spectacular
concert on Sunday - Robert Wolfe seemed in fine form with flying fingers and
hands moving in a blur to produce great music in a style that is
surely unique (I don't know how you describe that "crossed-leg" pedal
technique)! Certainly I have never heard some of the sounds that he coaxed out
of the Wurlitzer and his absolute mastery of the instrument was plain for all
to see.
I was struck also by the charm of his introductions and by his
pleasantness when I spoke to him at the intermission - so much talent wrapped
up in such a nice package, and humble as well!” ____________________________
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The Trust is also
thrilled to see younger people attending our shows, during the last year, young
9 year old Campbell Crawford and his family have joined our “Friends of the
Wurlitzer”.
Photo:
The Crawford Family
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