Musical maestro Emile Charlier dies at 87
Matthew Kruk
Musical maestro Emile dies at 87
Wednesday, October 22, 2008, 09:16
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TRIBUTES have been paid to one of the legends of 20th-century music, Emile
Charlier, who has died in Torquay.
Master accordionist Emile, thought to be the last surviving lead player of
the legendary Mantovani Orchestra, died at Ilsham Valley nursing home, aged
87.
The maestro musician played on the majority of Mantovani's finest
recordings, which have been enjoyed by millions of fans around the world.
Emile toured relentlessly with Mantovani after linking up with him in 1954,
and he played on all the orchestra's recordings.
When Mantovani retired in 1975, Emile continued to be in demand as a session
musician, but eventually he sold his home in South London and moved to Bovey
Tracey so he could be near his son, Marcel.
His love of music was too strong for him to give up performing altogether,
however, and he played regularly at the Imperial Hotel, Torquay, for several
years.
Public demand meant Emile continued these events until the age of 75,
although he continued to play his instrument for pleasure into his 80s.
Marcel said: "He will be missed by millions of people around the world. He
was amazing. His music is enjoyed by fans and professional musicians.
"It's really difficult to quantify the effect he had on people. I only
realised this after talking to hardcore fans of Mantovani and dad.
"I've heard many anecdotes, and they're all great, but the key thing for me
is once Mantovani found my dad, no-one else could touch him for his sound.
"Fans say his most memorable recording is Under Paris Skies on Mantovani's
Continental Encores album.
"When you listen to the way my dad played, you realise without him Mantovani
could never have got that familiar range of sound.
"Mantovani absolutely loved my dad's playing and as a result he gave him
full range.
"As a man, my dad was competitive. He liked to be the best he could be at
everything he did.
"He enjoyed golf and fishing and tennis and bridge. He was a great bridge
player.
"In his music his competitive nature was fine, because he was a virtuoso, he
was matchless, but he was also a good dad. He always provided for his
family, and he will be greatly missed."
Emile's family was of Belgian origin. His father settled in Britain in 1919,
and Emile was born in London in 1921.
Emile learned on the piano at first, but soon graduated to the accordion. He
became a professional musician at the age of 13, when he was widely known as
Emilio the Wonderboy Accordionist.
He performed in his father's act and toured all over the UK, sometimes doing
a couple of shows a night.
During the Second World War, Emile saw service with the RAF and played in a
five-piece band.
After the war, he found the little theatres he had performed in were
beginning to close down, but his rare talent ensured he always found
orchestral and radio work.
He was a restaurant player when contacted by Mantovani's orchestra manager,
Wally Ashworth, and he never looked back.
Emile Charlier's funeral service will be held at Torquay Crematorium on
November 3 at 12pm.