Sidney Torch
Sidney Torch | |
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Sidney Torch
Early life
Torch was born of
Torch studied piano at the
When the cinema's Christie Theatre Organ was installed in 1928, Torch became the Assistant Organist to the Chief Organist, Quentin Maclean. Torch took over as Chief Organist at the Cinema in 1932. Maclean had left in 1930 to become Chief Organist of the Trocadero Cinema, Elephant and Castle and was followed at the Regal until 1932 by Reginald Foort.[1] Torch's tenure at the Regal lasted until 1934.[2] His signature tune became "I've Got To Sing a Torch Song" (from the film Gold Diggers of 1933), which had his own special lyrics added.[3]
Torch then played the organ in a number of London cinemas (amongst others, the Regal, Edmonton) and in 1937 he became the Chief Organist of the new
Light music career
Following the end of the Second World War, Torch concluded that the heyday of the cinema organ was over. He thus made a new career in light orchestral music as a composer, conductor and arranger. It has been suggested that his wife Elizabeth Tyson, whom he married in 1949, may have influenced this decision, as she reportedly did not like the organ.[3]
Starting in 1946, Torch composed and conducted a number of instrumentals with the Queen's Hall Light Orchestra for the
Torch conducted many orchestras and bands, particularly those of the
Torch also composed many pieces for the BBC, particularly the theme tunes for
Torch made a huge number of
Torch had a reputation as a disciplinarian, according to the singers and musicians he conducted. One such performer described the "crackle" which came from starched shirt cuffs on his swift downbeats. It has been said that singers dreaded "the glare of the Torch" if they did not live up to his expectations. Despite this, his private generosity was also recalled by musicians who were in need of temporary financial help. Torch insisted upon smart attire from his musicians: he always had an extra pair of black socks or gloves kept on standby if required. According to David Ades of the Robert Farnon Society, Torch's music "was also often entertaining to watch as well as hear"; his "London Transport Suite" and "Duel for Drummers" being "ideal examples requiring, as they do, such athletic participation from the percussion section."[5]
His personality was described by some of his choral singers and instrumentalists as "tyrannical"; in a 1983 he admitted to having been "cruel" when working with others. However, he also felt that the end results could have been positive, with those on the receiving end having benefited from this treatment.[7]
Personal life and death
In 1949, Torch married Eva Elizabeth Tyson (known as Elizabeth), a BBC producer. He retired from full-time conducting with the BBC in 1972 and was appointed an
Bibliography
- Bierley, Paul E.; Rehrig, William H. The Heritage Encyclopedia of Band Music. Composers and their Music, Integrity Press, 1991.
- Larkin, Colin. The Encyclopedia of Popular Music, 5th edition, Macmillan, 1998, ISBN 978-1846098567
- Rust, Brian; Forbes, Sandy. British Dance Bands on Record 1911 to 1945, General Gramophone Publications, 1987, ISBN 978-0902470156
- Upton, Stuart. Sidney Torch (1908-1990), Vintage Light Music, Winter, 1991.
Selected discography
- Sidney Torch at the Theatre Organ 1932-39, Doric compilation, 1973
- Music From Across The Sea, Coral LP, 1955
- Sidney Torch Orchestral Works, Naxos8.223443 in 2006 (original compositions)
- All Strings and Fancy Free: The Music of Sidney Torch and his Orchestra, Living Era compilation, 2004
- Sidney Torch Historic Recordings, EMI compilation, 2009
References
- ^ ISBN 1-85227-745-9.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j Ades, David. "Sidney Torch". Legends of Light Music. Robert Farnon Society. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ a b c d e f Moloney, Liz. "'Mr Friday Night' – Sidney Torch, a legend in light music" (PDF). Eastbourne Local History Society. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- ^ "Sidney Torch". Naxos. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- ^ a b c Ades, David (1996). "TORCH: London Transport Suite / Petit Valse / Barbecue". Naxos. Retrieved 27 June 2021.
- American Music, Vol. 22, No. 3 (Autumn, 2004), pp. 460-461
- ^ Rugani, Louis. "Sidney Torch". IMDb. Retrieved 2 May 2021.
- ^ "Sidney Torch". Obituary. The Times. No. 63762. London. 19 July 1990. p. 14. Retrieved 27 June 2021 – via Gale.