Moonlight On the Ganges: Jim Roseveare & Peter Mintun

In this 1986 performance, Peter Mintun plays the piano and Jim Roseveare (1942-1989) plays the mighty Loew's Ohio Morton pipe organ in the state capitol, Columbus. Photos were taken at rehearsal. Sherman Myers wrote the music and Chester Wallace wrote the words to this very popular song, copyrighted in Britain in 1926. Musicians have attached themselves to this song because of its playful use of descending chords, not unlike the later 'Sophisticated Lady' by Duke Ellington. Roseveare and Mintun performed a piano and organ concert at Oakland's (Calif.) Paramount Theatre, which led to an invitation to perform at this magnificent restored 1928 theatre. The theatre was designed by the architect Thomas Lamb, famous for his theatres. Like all movie palaces, the circumstances for which it was created ceased to exist and its future was doomed in 1969. Thanks to public outcry and the newly formed Columbus Association for the Performing Arts, enough money was raised to prevent demolition. The project became the first complete restoration of an American movie 'palace.' Mr. Roseveare is usually associated with the WurliTzer pipe organ, but had a deep appreciation for this Morton instrument, which was original to the structure. Also seen in this clip: British comedy team Jack Wilson & Joe Keppel, doing their famous sand dance.

Category:

Music

Tags:

• Ganges
• novelty
• fox
• trot

[deancook652]

Wonderful! I not attended the program at the Oakland Paramount you and Rosy played, thanks to his letting me attend a rehearsal I actually got to meet you, and a terrific experience it was. Thank you for posting these, it really takes me back to a time when I was much younger, and anything Theatre Organ was a fresh, exciting experience.

Dean

[Yaledmot]

Very nice. Rosy is greatly missed.

tld

[BrentAudi]

This is fantastic!

It would have been wonderful if the entire concert would have been captured on film. I would have loved to have been there for this!

It is amazing that this was 24 years ago!

Thanks for sharing this.

Brent

[pomeroy40144]

I really enjoy this.  Thanks.

[jonycuddlesgert]

Just really wonderful! Thank you, Peter (and Jim R.) ... I just today - 28 Apr 2010 - found this piece... and it's a treasure. Did I say Thanks? - Thanx! ... I have a recording (33-1/3) vinyl LP, vintage new in 1950!... Theater Organ of "Moonlight on..." -- and I have muchLiked this tune forEver. Thank you. =jonycuddlesgert.

[chem100]

Ganges, Egypt, China -- it was all the same place in the 1920s in America. Hawaii was a slightly different place then, but still akin to the Ganges, et al.

They were all so far away (much further than today) and folks rarely got to see the real places, except for photos in books.

Beautiful rendition.

[aardvaark069]

The Ganges..? in Egypt...? Who knew.

[rshnrvrrbrt]

the organ part could very well be,

but I think it happened in a church instead...

[berkeleyhome]

I heard one of these guys got chased inside the theatre and was caught by the organ.

[rshnrvrrbrt]

great combination of sounds...perfect, magnificent!