Carlo James Curley (August 24, 1952 – August 11, 2012) was an American classical concert organist who lived much of his later life in Great Britain.Curley was born into a musical family in Monroe, North Carolina, US, and attended the North Carolina School of the Arts and by the age of 15 was organist at a large Baptist church in Atlanta, Georgia. He subsequently studied with Virgil Fox, Robert Elmore, George Thalben-Ball and Arthur Poister. His long-time friend and confidant Robert Noehren was another noted influence. At 18, he was director of music at Girard College in Philadelphia. Curley developed his performance style in the manner of Virgil Fox, with respect to popularising classical organ music popular to a wider audience, which included his arrangements and transcriptions of pieces from other classical genres.
He was the resident organist at the Alexandra Palace in the 1970s and was the first classical organist to perform a solo organ recital at the White House for President Jimmy Carter. He also played before several European heads of state and toured extensively throughout the world, earning the marketing nickname "the Pavarotti of the Organ". He was one of only a few concert organists worldwide who supported themselves exclusively by giving recitals, concerts and master classes, without any supplement from teaching or church position.Curley used a substantial Allen touring organ where the venue lacked an instrument of sufficient scope to support his repertoire. He recorded commercially for various labels such as RCA, ProArte, Rediffusion and Decca International. He participated in several 'Battle of the Organs' concerts, and his final such concert was in June 2012 at Liverpool Anglican Cathedral with his friend Ian Tracey using a Copeman Hart instrument.
He served as patron for numerous music societies as well as for the newly formed British Academy of Music. He was involved in organ design and construction and served as advisor to numerous clients, including Melbourne City Council (Australia), and The Cube, Shiroishi (Japan). His autobiography In The Pipeline was published by HarperCollins in 1998. One of his Allen organs is now used in the Cathedral of St Michael and St George in Aldershot in the UK.
The sheet organ music 'Carlo Curley Collection' is available from ChurchOrganWorld and consists of three pieces he often opened his recitals with; his unique arrangements of Largo from the ‘New World Symphony’, ‘Ar Hyd y Nos’ and ‘Eternal Father Strong to Save’.
A life-long bachelor, Curley died on 11 August 2012 aged 59 in Melton Mowbray, England. His ashes are interred in the grounds of Pershore Abbey in Worcestershire.
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Some of their strengths
Carlo Curley has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Imaginative, Creative, Compassionate, Energetic, Smart, Kind, and Passionate.
Smart and Sophisticated
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Carlo Curley is someone who is a smart, sophisticated, and organized person who displays kindness and grace in every day interactions, and who also has a passionate soul. A person who is known for being a good communicator.
Adventurous and Free
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Carlo Curley well know them as someone who can be talented, wayward and free, like a big river or the ocean.
Inventive and Clever
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Carlo Curley as someone who is flexible, intelligent, and quick-witted.
A person who likes to be creative, and to be recognized for their artistic talents. Who possesses intelligence, mental discipline, and ambition, and who does well in relationships and partnerships.
Emotionally Intelligent and Intuitive
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Carlo Curley is someone who tends to have strong emotional intelligence and intuition, and who can be a catalyst of change for others.
They are also someone who is curious, dynamic, and positive, and who enjoys inspiring and communicating with other people.
Altruistic and Purposeful
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Carlo Curley tends to be someone who has a desire to be of service to a higher calling and who is always trying to perfect things. Who can be practical and polished, reserved and methodical, and who tends to trust internal judgment before trusting anyone else at face value.
Some of Carlo Curley's challenges
While Carlo Curley has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Carlo Curley can be Emotional, Indecisive, Difficult, Perfectionist, Hesitant, Narcissistic, and Standoffish.
Difficult and Perfectionist
One of Carlo Curley's key challenges is that they are someone who can be difficult and too much of a perfectionist.
Carlo Curley must also exercise caution as they can be short-tempered and aggressive.
Unfocused and Indecisive
Carlo Curley is someone who can be scattered, restless, and insensitive, be distracted by fluctuating professional interests, be a workaholic, and who can be arrogant and have difficulty accepting advice.
Critical and Bossy
Finally, Carlo Curley also can be too focused on the small details of life, try to control whatever is happening, and be finicky and demanding.
