The organist and composer Peter Hurford (1930-2019) has died.
His recordings of Bach Organ works are outstanding and amongst my favourite interpretations. Whilst some of his organ music is very of the mid 20th century in style, some reflect the styles of earlier times.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_zvVpU46-c
[The information about his life and work is taken from various sources....]
"He studied with Harold Drake before reading music and law at Cambridge. He then opted for music and worked in Paris with André Marchal who introduced him to the riches of French organ music. In 1956 he took up the post of organist at Holy Trinity, Leamington Spa; he also taught music at Bablake School in Coventry. In 1958 he moved to St Albans where he served as organist and Music of Music for 20 years.
"During his time in the city, he also established an organ competition, inspired by the installation of a new Harrison & Harrison organ designed by himself and Ralph Downes. The competition, which blossomed into the St Albans International Organ Festival.
"He travelled extensively for both his performance and recording career. He was artist in residence at Cincinnati, Ohio University (1967-68), Toronto, Canada (1977), and consultant for the Sydney Opera House organ.
"He is best known for his interpretations of Bach, having recorded the complete Bach organ works for Decca and BBC Radio 3. His expertise also encompasses recordings of the Romantic literature for organ, performances notable for attention to stylistic detail. His playing style is noted for clean articulation, beauty of expression, and a sense of proper tempo.
"He wrote a book: Making Music on the Organ (1998, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-816207-3) and published a great deal of choral music for the Anglican liturgy, much of it issued by leading publishers such as Novello and Oxford University Press. His Litany to the Holy Spirit, to a famous text by Robert Herrick, is sung worldwide.
"He suffered a minor stroke in 1997, but recovered enough to resume his performing career seven months later. In 2008 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, hence he retired formally from performing in 2009.
"He died peacefully on March 3rd, 2019.
His recordings of Bach Organ works are outstanding and amongst my favourite interpretations. Whilst some of his organ music is very of the mid 20th century in style, some reflect the styles of earlier times.
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_zvVpU46-c
[The information about his life and work is taken from various sources....]
"He studied with Harold Drake before reading music and law at Cambridge. He then opted for music and worked in Paris with André Marchal who introduced him to the riches of French organ music. In 1956 he took up the post of organist at Holy Trinity, Leamington Spa; he also taught music at Bablake School in Coventry. In 1958 he moved to St Albans where he served as organist and Music of Music for 20 years.
"During his time in the city, he also established an organ competition, inspired by the installation of a new Harrison & Harrison organ designed by himself and Ralph Downes. The competition, which blossomed into the St Albans International Organ Festival.
"He travelled extensively for both his performance and recording career. He was artist in residence at Cincinnati, Ohio University (1967-68), Toronto, Canada (1977), and consultant for the Sydney Opera House organ.
"He is best known for his interpretations of Bach, having recorded the complete Bach organ works for Decca and BBC Radio 3. His expertise also encompasses recordings of the Romantic literature for organ, performances notable for attention to stylistic detail. His playing style is noted for clean articulation, beauty of expression, and a sense of proper tempo.
"He wrote a book: Making Music on the Organ (1998, Oxford University Press, ISBN 0-19-816207-3) and published a great deal of choral music for the Anglican liturgy, much of it issued by leading publishers such as Novello and Oxford University Press. His Litany to the Holy Spirit, to a famous text by Robert Herrick, is sung worldwide.
"He suffered a minor stroke in 1997, but recovered enough to resume his performing career seven months later. In 2008 he was diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease, hence he retired formally from performing in 2009.
"He died peacefully on March 3rd, 2019.
Last edited by IainStinson on Mon Mar 04, 2019 4:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.