Peter Hurford O.B.E., who recorded what remains for many the definitive recording of the complete organ works of J S Bach, has died on this day aged 88.
His book 'Making Music on the Organ' got the emphasis right. He recalled that playing as a student on the old console high up in the bowels of the Father Willis at Truro Cathedral had given him an experience that he wanted to pursue as a career. Many years later, standing outside the locked door of New College Chapel, I listened to him record volume three (I think it was, including the 'St Anne' P&F) of his traversal of the JSB organ works for Argo, marvelling at the sheer rightness and communicative quality of his playing. It is shameful that Decca had not re-released the complete set for decades before his death (the high prices on Amazon had reflected its significance), but thankfully this has now been corrected, vide infra. His lecture the following year in New College chapel on the Orgelbüchlein was a model of insight and clarity, and I treasure the notes I took from that talk, which reside still in my Novello vol. XV. His recordings from Ratzeburg Cathedral were always models of their kind, where the player can avail him or herself of schnapps from a small drinks drawer that opens by drawing the Raushwerk stop! The St Albans International Organ Festival founded by Dr Hurford in 1963, including the competition's Peter Hurford Bach Prize, is a fitting memorial.
A great musician, a very fine organist, and a devoted servant of music in the church.
R.I.P.
His book 'Making Music on the Organ' got the emphasis right. He recalled that playing as a student on the old console high up in the bowels of the Father Willis at Truro Cathedral had given him an experience that he wanted to pursue as a career. Many years later, standing outside the locked door of New College Chapel, I listened to him record volume three (I think it was, including the 'St Anne' P&F) of his traversal of the JSB organ works for Argo, marvelling at the sheer rightness and communicative quality of his playing. It is shameful that Decca had not re-released the complete set for decades before his death (the high prices on Amazon had reflected its significance), but thankfully this has now been corrected, vide infra. His lecture the following year in New College chapel on the Orgelbüchlein was a model of insight and clarity, and I treasure the notes I took from that talk, which reside still in my Novello vol. XV. His recordings from Ratzeburg Cathedral were always models of their kind, where the player can avail him or herself of schnapps from a small drinks drawer that opens by drawing the Raushwerk stop! The St Albans International Organ Festival founded by Dr Hurford in 1963, including the competition's Peter Hurford Bach Prize, is a fitting memorial.
A great musician, a very fine organist, and a devoted servant of music in the church.
R.I.P.
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