The incomparable Cherry Rhodes is Thompson's guest on this episode of The LA AGO Podcast. A world renowned concert organist and teacher, Ms. Rhodes is Adjunct Professor of Organ at the University of Southern California's Thornton School of Music.
With her infectious laugh and sense of humor, Cherry reveals how the organ was not her first love; fondly remembers growing up in a house full of pianists and being exposed at an early age to music of all kinds; recounts the influence of "Pa," her piano technician stepfather and how he bought the first organ she learned on - a Hammond; tells how she felt like "a fish IN water" when she arrived at the Curtis Institute of Music at age 15; talks about how she came to study the music of Max Reger with Karl Richter in Germany but had to go through Bach's Orgelbüchlein first; recounts her time studying in Paris with both Jean Guillou and Marie-Claire Alain after both initially turned her down as a student; shares a funny story about filling in for Guillou at St. Eustache church while she was his assistant; recalls some memorable moments during her "Rhodes trips" concertizing abroad; tells us what she's looking forward to; explains the most common note she gives to new students; and a bunch more you'll only find out by listening!
Listen at LAAGO.org or subscribe wherever you get your podcasts.
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