Sidney Torchinsky, known professionally as Sidney Torch, and born on June 5, 1908, in St. Pancras, London, was a pianist, conductor, composer, orchestral arranger and cinema organist. He studied piano at the Blackheath Conservatoire and began his career as an accompanist to violinist Albert Sandler. Torch became the Chief Organist at the Regal Cinema, Marble Arch, and later at the Gaumont State Cinema in Kilburn. During World War II, he served in the RAF and conducted the RAF Concert Orchestra. Post-war, Torch transitioned to light orchestral music, composing and conducting for various orchestras, notably the BBC Light Programme show Friday Night is Music Night, which began in 1953. He composed notable pieces like "On A Spring Note" and the London Transport Suite. His work was featured in films like 2001: A Space Odyssey with the theme for the fictitious news programme The World Tonight. Torch passed away on July 16, 1990.
