Born on August 24, 1952, Carlo Curley was an American classical concert organist, who spent much of his life in England, and would go on to international renown as a great champions of the organ who brought it out in front to center stage—with significant stays and performances in Grand Rapids for which he is still fondly remembered here in West Michigan.
Famously dubbed the "Pavarotti of the Organ", shared a deep and historic connection with Grand Rapids, even calling the city home for a time. Renowned for his charismatic showmanship and his mission to make classical organ music accessible to a broader audience, Curley left a permanent mark on the West Michigan music community through local recordings, landmark inaugural concerts, and collaborative performances.
This connection began with his Fountain Street Church debut when, Curley, just 17 years old, accompanied his legendary mentor Virgil Fox to a performance at Fountain Street Church. Denied the chance to touch the organ before the show, he stayed behind on Monday morning to play the instrument entirely from memory for two hours, making a great impression at the time.
Curley would also leave his mark at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church where he famously performed the live inaugural concert for the massive George and Wilma Van Wesep Memorial Organ (an Austin-Allen pipe organ) at LaGrave Avenue Christian Reformed Church on November 30, 1996 (later officially released as a commemorative CD in 1997).
Curley would also collaborate and record with local musicians, including a highly acclaimed album, Amazing Grace, featuring the Chamber Choir of Grand Rapids.
On this afternoon's Classical Music with Foley Schuler, we'll celebrate this larger than life figure of the organ and his West Michigan connection, on the anniversary of his birth with several of his great recordings from over the years...and much more.
You can hear Foley Schuler's musical selections—and stories behind the music—every weekday afternoon from 1 until 4 on Blue Lake Public Radio.
