24/10/2024 Buster Keaton and Charlie Chaplin Double-Bill

Darius Battiwalla piano and organ

RNCM Students: *
Fionnghuala Drumgoole, Cameron Jackson violins
Emily O’Dell viola
Tom Ellison cello
Sam Nuttall saxophone
Ben Moss trombone

As the projector whirrs to life and the silver screen lights up, organist Darius Battiwalla and RNCM students perform a live improvised soundtrack to accompany two of silent cinema’s most iconic comedy films.

In Charlie Chaplin’s The Immigrant, a young man’s journey to America is marked by mistaken accusations of theft and an unexpected romance, delivering classic romcom charm with Chaplin’s signature wit. Meanwhile, Buster Keaton’s Sherlock Jr. features the star as a lovesick cinema projectionist who, dreaming of heroism, finds himself embroiled in a humorous detective escapade.

This double feature promises a delightful dive into the artistry and humour of early cinema, showcasing the enduring appeal of silent film comedy.

Darius took up the post of Leeds City Organist in 2017, programming the very successful Town Hall recital series and giving regular solo concerts. He is currently overseeing the renewal of the Leeds Town Hall organ. Recent performances include the recitals at the Cathedrals of Coventry, Lincoln, Ripon, and St Albans, and this year sees appearances with Collegium Vocale Gent in Ghent and Amsterdam, and the annual recital for the Royal College of Organists conferment of diplomas. He has recently released a CD, recorded by audiophile label Base2 Music, including the Whitlock Sonata and works by Fela Sowande and Percy Grainger.

He has appeared as soloist with the Hallé – most recently in a live broadcast of Janacek’s Glagolitic Mass with Sir Mark Elder – and London Philharmonic Orchestra, and is a regular orchestral organist and pianist for the BBC Philharmonic and the Hallé. As a pianist, he gives regular chamber concerts with members of the Manchester orchestras, and on the harpsichord he has played continuo with many UK orchestras, and performed and broadcast harpsichord concertos: most recently soloist in Frank Martin’s Harpsichord Concerto for the Northern Ballet Theatre.

Darius teaches improvisation at the Royal Academy of Music, and was teaching on this year’s Royal College of Organists summer course.

For more information visit dariusbattiwalla.com.