Man who made album in memory of wife with top orchestra returns with new music

Paul Studer, 71, from York, previously recorded with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) to release his album, All My Love, which was written in memory of his wife, Diane.

Paul Studer, a 71 year old man from York, who previously collaborated with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra (RPO) to create an album in memory of his late wife, has teamed up with them again for a second album about his childhood. Mr Studer's first album, All My Love, was a tribute to his wife, Diane, who tragically passed away from bowel cancer on November 3, 2022.

He cared for her for 15 years while she battled neuropathy before her cancer diagnosis. The amateur singer reached out to the RPO last year and they were so moved by his story that they agreed to record his music.

His second album, The Magic Slippers, is a reflection of his childhood. Speaking from Angel Studios in Islington, London, where he recorded his new music, Mr Studer told the PA news agency: "It amazes me that an orchestra of this quality would make a record with me.

"I’m just an ordinary bloke. But not only have they done it once, they’ve done it twice. This is the second album. It’s quite amazing that they should agree to do that."

He fondly remembers using Google to find orchestras to help bring his album to life and was touched when a "very nice lady (at the RPO) answered the phone.

"I started to tell her what I wanted to do, and I burst into tears. She said: ‘We will do anything we can to help,’ and they have done," he recounted. Mr Studer experienced a breakdown following the devastating loss of his wife and voluntarily admitted himself to Foss Park Hospital for mental health support.

Regrettably, this meant he was unable to attend his wife’s funeral as he was informed he must stay at the hospital for six months. Regardless, he channelled his grief into music, composing an album that served as both a heartfelt homage and the send-off she merited on September 28, 2023, coinciding with their 45th wedding anniversary.

He hopes the songs composed for his late wife Diane's memorial service can offer consolation to others in mourning. "For the (songs) for the memorial service, it’s an ideal thing for a funeral those songs," he explained, highlighting their potential to resonate with others experiencing loss.

"That means something to people that have lost somebody. It’s songs about loss. If I can give them some comfort with those songs, that will do for me."

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Additionally, he expressed his lifelong aspiration of making a record, having penned over 110 songs across five decades—a passion that continues to propel him forward. Despite acknowledging the process is daunting, he emphasised the importance of pursuing his dream: "I’m not getting any younger. I’ve got to carry on, although it’s nerve-wracking," he said.

"I am taking like a leap, I am nervous, but it’s just something I’ve got to do. It sort of drives me on."

He concluded with a sense of urgency, saying, "If I don’t do it now I’ll never do it."

Mr Studer is set to record the remainder of his album, The Magic Slippers, which is still awaiting release. His single, All My Love, can be streamed on Spotify, Amazon Music and Apple Music.

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