Bob Denver Videos : Bob Castle plays Wurlitzer Theatre Organ in Denver home

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Bob Castle plays Wurlitzer Theatre Organ in Denver home

Bob Castle, who played for decades as organist at Denver's Paramount Theatre, plays the Wurlitzer Theatre Organ in the Denver home of Dr Bruce Belshaw. As the console rises on the hydraulic lift from the pit, he plays strains from Puccini's Madame Butterfly. This is followed by his version of a popular tune dating from 1916, Poor Butterfly. Dr Belshaw constructed his Denver home expressly to accommodate a large theatre organ. His son, Don, who works with the Denver organ-building firm Morel & Associates, spent years doing a thorough restoration and installation of this instrument. After the passing of Dr Belshaw, the residence was sold and the organ was sold and removed to a new location in the midwest. This video shows extensive application of the theatre organ playing technique known as the "Crawford Slide," named after the person credited with its innovation, Jesse Crawford. The complete 30-minute video includes a tour of the organ works and pipe chambers by Don Belshaw, an interview with Bob Castle and an interview and selections played by the home dweller, Dr Bruce Belshaw. It is available from www.zarex.com/bin and details are accessed by entering "9024" in the Search Box on the site.

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