Page 165 - It's a Rum Life Book 3 "Ivy House Tales 1970 to 1984"

When from time to time he had to stand in for our local organist in New Bolingbroke
Church, he managed to make our little “wind assisted piano” as he called it, turn
somersaults.
He was one of those gifted people who could bring magic to your ears.
His inspired playing could make the hair at the back of your neck literally stand on end!
Anything with keys he could master effortlessly but getting him to do it in public was
another story. We had tried previously, times without number to persuade him to give us a
concert on the organ at his “home” church in Stickney, without success. Hence the initial
reason for my trying other sources.

I had to approach David the Monday before our event and explain the situation. I had to
admit that he was our “last hope”. Could he possible play the trout by Schubert? I will
never, ever forget his reply.

“Well it so happens that if you had asked me to play the “something else” by Schubert I
would have problems. But “the Trout” I know off by heart!” But would he do it?
I had to explain further that his instrument was to our family’s old, standard upright piano,
bought from the village outdoor charity auction some years previously. It had been
professionally tuned some time after and daughter Helen used it for her practice.

The last piece of “good news” was that it had to be transported across to the Church on a
trek cart on its side! Rising to the ever increasing challenge David relented and agreed.

CONCERT
The setting was magical yet unbelievable.
The Church was filled with good folk decked out in all types and styles of evening attire.
All, it would appear came to listen, but to what, they were not quite sure, only that I had
promised them an unforgettable evening.

The Brass band played lovely music throughout the whole evening, but it was at that
interval, when before them was a shy, 60 year old Anglican vicar of simple, insignificant
and slight stature with angular prominently boned face, receding grey hair and sporting his
clerical suit and dog collar, playing ‘ The Trout’ by Schubert note perfect, for an attractive,
well built, blonde Yorkshire lass who towered above him by a good 18 inches as she stood
beside his piano in her full length, pale coloured, low cut evening gown.

They never did get that rehearsal, but on the Saturday evening of the South Lindsey
Ecumenical Partnership Flower Festival, in 1980, without being able to find any written
music for pianist or singer, those two gave the performance of their lives.
As the last, fast, thrilling notes died away, the audience were spellbound.
That country community had never ever been exposed to live concert such as this.
Not just any concert music mind you, but the epitome, the crème de la crème of truly
complicated piano music matched by a clear beautiful voice.
They were momentarily spellbound, looking around me it was hard to find a dry eye, and
then the applause began.
All I could think of at that moment was how many professional pianists had refused this
chance because they counted it too difficult!
No one who was present on that evening will ever forget the experience.
The fortunate numbers packed into the little rural church were incredibly grateful that we
had brought the “Royal Albert Hall” to that little country community that very evening.

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