Simon Preston, 1938-2022

[Keraulophone]

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The great organist and choirmaster Simon Preston CBE, died on Friday. IMO the greatest of his time, considering what he achieved from 1970 at Christ Church, Oxford, Westminster Abbey (1981-87) and as a fastidiously brilliant organist. At a mid-week Evensong at Christ Church one might have heard Bach's Jesu meine Freude, Walton'e The Twelve or Taverner's O splendor gloriae performed with consistently unequalled verve, style and dynamism.

Thank you for those unforgettable memories and your profound influence on generations of church and other musicians.

R.I.P.

[DracoM]

Massive loss.

[pastoralguy]

Very sad news.

[Bryn]

Very sad news.

Indeed, The Eloquence double album of his Messiaen recordings cued up for tomorrow morning, in tribute.

[Pulcinella]

With hindsight, I wish I'd gone to more services at Christ Church during the time he was there when I was an undergraduate.
Many happy memories though, especially through his recordings.

I particularly remember the Dvorak Mass being sung liturgically (just organ accompaniment) one Easter Sunday, presumably about the time they recorded it, though what I was doing in Oxford out of term time I now can't imagine!

Not a fan of the Rieger organ subsequently introduced there, though.

[PJPJ]

Such sad news. RIP Simon Preston.

[ardcarp]

Sad news indeed. I still think of him as a young-ish man! A student friend of mine became a lay clerk at Christchurch Cathedral after graduating, and followed him to Westmisnsyer Abbey where he stayed until 'retirement'. He thought very highly of SP, and was a bit miffed when he left. I'm always amused (and I guess SP was too) that when Radio 3 wanted to programme a Handel Organ Concerto...or part of....it was always SP's recording they went to.

[MickyD]

I only saw him once, and that was at a memorable concert at St John's Smith Square from a vintage period. He was there with the choir, Christopher Hogwood and the Academy of Ancient Music a few nights before Christmas, performing festive works by Bach and Handel. As if on cue, snow started falling outside the large window behind the choir and orchestra - I will never forget it, a magical occasion.

[Keraulophone]

With hindsight, I wish I'd gone to more services at Christ Church during the time he was there when I was an undergraduate.

SP was at his peak during those Christ Church years IMO. Even with Dr Higginbottam in residence and Dr Rose at Magdalen just across the road, the walk to hear Mr Preston’s choir at Evensong or Sunday Eucharist was taken frequently, with the realisation that something extraordinary, often revelatory, was being witnessed.

Not a fan of the Rieger organ subsequently introduced there, though.

Sadly many would agree, even when Francis Grier was playing it as SP’s assistant (and subsequently DoM). Sad because expectation was so high at its inception. Much has been written on the subject, but clearly it didn’t help that the initial contractor Lawrence Phelps went bust. Hexham Abbey gives an inkling of what might have been.

[Dave2002]

Sad to read about this.

A fine musician.

[Vox Humana]

Expected news, but still a very sad loss. He was my hero when I was young. I considered him to be the very best organist in the country—and he probably was. His playing was always very exact, but always supremely musical. I wore out my LP of him playing Messiaen's La Nativité. It inspired me to learn the cycle. My abiding memory will be of accompanying a visiting choir at Christ Church, Oxford, and playing Dieu parmi nous for a voluntary and Preston suddenly appearing at my side to turn the pages. Being judged before God would have been less nerve-wracking!

[Keraulophone]

My abiding memory will be of accompanying a visiting choir at Christ Church, Oxford, and playing Dieu parmi nous for a voluntary and Preston suddenly appearing at my side to turn the pages.

Crikey, what a terrible fright! Did your nerves enhance or wrack your performance? I expect he would have been very gracious afterwords.
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[Vox Humana]

Crikey, what a terrible fright! Did your nerves enhance or wrack your performance? I expect he would have been very gracious afterwords.

I did have a slight "argh!" moment, but fortunately I knew the piece securely was seasoned enough to take it in my stride. Best of all, he acted as a registrant too, which saved me some bother towards the end. He was indeed very gracious afterwards, although what he really thought I couldn't guess!

[edashtav]

My father was a Church Organist in Bournemouth during WW II. Simon Preston had been born in the town in 1938. It was my father’s delight to introduce the very young lad to the organ in St Swithun’s Church. Very much later in the 1980s my father organised a Music Festival for the Centenary of St Katharine’s, another of Bournemouth’s Victorian High Anglican Churches and, having followed Simon’s glittering career, he wrote to him reminding him of their earlier meetings. With typical kindness, Simon offered to return to his home town to give a Celebrity Recital for free.

Simon Preston was a great organist and a generous, good man. It’s sad that old age brought on dementia and the need for nursing support. He will be sorely missed but our memories of his playing and musicianship will be imperishable.

[rauschwerk]

I first heard SP when I sang the Glagolitic Mass with the LSO at the RFH. I was in a good position to watch his footwork and was absolutely blown away! Later I got to know the Hindemith sonatas and Stravinsky Mass through his excellent recordings. In the Poulenc Lenten motets he got his boys to sing with real passion. A great virtuoso and a terrific musician.