Press Reports
The Organist Entertains, BBC Radio 2’s long-running music show, is to be taken off the airwaves after almost 49 years.
The half-hour programme showcasing recordings and live performances of a variety of organs currently airs at 11pm on Tuesdays but will end when the station’s wide-ranging schedule re-shuffle comes into effect on May 14th.
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Nigel Ogden (main image), presenter of The Organist Entertains, said in a statement: “I’d like to thank my ever loyal audience for their support and messages during the 38 years I’ve hosted The Organist Entertains. I’ve loved hearing from them and send them my very best wishes for the future.
“I’d also like to thank Radio 2 for giving me the opportunity to play the music I love each week – it has been a huge privilege.”
Ogden took over from original host and organist Robin Richmond in 1980. Richmond presented the show from its inception in 1969.
Brass and military show Listen to the Band and the Radio 2 Arts Show have also fallen victim to the Radio 2 revamp, with station head Lewis Carnie explaining in a recent blog. “As the audience evolves we have to reflect what best serves their needs and where there is scope to broaden our offering.”
However, listeners will still be able to catch organ and brass elsewhere on BBC airwaves, a spokesperson confirmed to RadioTimes.com.
“Radio 3 regularly features organ and brass throughout the day as part of its commitment to classical music,” they said. This includes Choral Evensong, a show featuring organ music, and dedicated slot Choir and Organ each Sunday (4-5pm).
These programmes are currently available to listen and download on BBC iPlayer Radio.
Source: Radio Times
Nigel Ogden’s stint of nearly four decades on national radio is coming to an end – but he has no intention of retiring. The 63-year-old from Lytham is a familiar face at the organ of The Drive Methodist Church in St Annes as well as maintaining a busy schedule of recitals all over the country. But for the past 38 years, his name has been synonymous with the weekly Radio 2 show The Organist Entertains, which the BBC has decided to ‘rest’ with effect from May. Nigel, who grew up in Manchester and has lived in Fylde for the past 20 years, is sad but philosophical at the prospect of the show ending - but is delighted at the profile he has been able to give organ music via the national airwaves for so long. “It is purely a BBC decision to bring the show’s run to an end,” he said. “I am sad for the organ world in general that it won’t be on Radio 2 any more but it has been a huge privilege to present the programme for so long and help reflect the enthusiasm there is for organ music.” The Organist Entertains focuses on the organ in its many guises, featuring recordings and live broadcasts of theatre organs, pipe organs and electronic organs around Britain and the rest of the world. It was originally broadcast in 1969 and Nigel took over the show from original presenter Robin Richmond in 1980.
Source: Blackpool Gazette
