John Ogdon, the British pianist-- what happened to him?

[alzado]

Anyone know what eventually happened to John Ogdon, who recorded the Opus Clav. in about 1960?

What a greatly talented man, but -- as I understand it -- with some crosses to bear.

Best--

PC

[ted]

https://theovergrownpath.blogspot.com/2005/08/real-piano-man.html

I saw him play the Transcendental Studies at one sitting forty years ago. Whatever one thought of his interpretation he was an amazing pianist and a very exceptional human being. The power he drew from the instrument in those pieces requiring a big, broad sound - Vision, Ricordanza, Harmonies Du Soir, Chasse Neige - was like nothing I have heard before or since.

[stevie]

he recorded the op clav in the late 80s and died shortly afterwards, from what i gather he overworked himself, plus he was a big (fat) man.

[ahinton]

he recorded the op clav in the late 80s and died shortly afterwards, from what i gather he overworked himself, plus he was a big (fat) man.

The chronological correction here is right, but it should be pointed out that John Ogdon certainly didn't die as a result of overworking himself with OC - in fact, at the end of the sessions (some of which were very long), he had gained, rather than lost, energy.

He recorded OC in 1985-86; it was released in 1989 some three months before his death at the age of 52.

Best,

Alistair

[arensky]

An arensky true life adventure, circa 1980...


https://www.pianostreet.com/smf/index.php/topic,10973.msg124650.html#msg124650

[stevie]

The chronological correction here is right, but it should be pointed out that John Ogdon certainly didn't die as a result of overworking himself with OC - in fact, at the end of the sessions (some of which were very long), he had gained, rather than lost, energy.

He recorded OC in 1985-86; it was released in 1989 some three months before his death at the age of 52.

Best,

Alistair

what was the cause of death?

[ahinton]

what was the cause of death?

Since I am (surely unsurprisingly) not in possession of John Ogdon's death certificate, I am unable to cite the specific nedical reason given for his death, but I do understand that it was at least in part caused as a result of the failure of several vital organs.

Best,

Alistair

[prometheus]

Wikipedia says: "...he died of pneumonia, brought on by undiagnosed diabetes."

[ahinton]

Wikipedia says: "...he died of pneumonia, brought on by undiagnosed diabetes."

That's probably not far from the truth - indeed, it may well BE the truth, though not the whole truth and nothing but the truth, so help me - there were certainly some complications...

Best,

Alistair

[henrah]

Maybe a piano attacked him and ate him, they do get hungry sometimes. He might have not played it enough, so eating him would mean he could play it forever in the afterlife.


Strange, and most probably not true, but anyway....
Henrah

[alzado]

What a wonderful thread, please keep it going!

Arensky's meeting with Ogdon makes for a wonderful and revealing story.

As for Ogdon's weight -- the souvenir book (?) that is included with the CDs of Ogdon playing Opus Clav. contains two sets of photos of John Ogdon.

One set shows him as noticeably younger, and not particularly overweight at all.  Rather a nice-looking man in horn-rimmed glasses.  (As my memory has it, anyway.)

The later pair of photos in the book show Ogdon -- many years later -- at the recording sessions.  At this point in time he is very very stout.

As I myself am aging badly and gaining considerable weight, I am heartened by the amazing technical facility of Ogdon despite his prodigious girth.

If a beached whale can play the piano, that will be me in another few years.

[ahinton]

As I myself am aging badly and gaining considerable weight, I am heartened by the amazing technical facility of Ogdon despite his prodigious girth.

If a beached whale can play the piano, that will be me in another few years.

And if you can play like Ogdon at that point...

I want to say no more about the subject at this stage, except that there were so many prodigious things about John at all times in his life besides girth...

Best,

Alistair

[thalbergmad]

I recently bought a book called "virtuoso", which is a story of his life written by his wife Brenda.

I read it in one sitting as I could not put it down and would recommend it to anyone who would like to read about Ogdon.

Some of it had me in tears.

Thal

[stevie]

this guy randomly played him in a movie