Vision and Virtuosity

A visit with British organist David Briggs, who talks about his career and plays instruments in England and Minnesota.

Listen to the program;   Part 1   Part 2

 

Listen to David Briggs Commentary:

• On Pierre Cochereau
• Transcribing recorded improvisations
• Being a cathedral organist
• Experiences with instruments

Program Broadcast dates:

• November 1, 1999

Music played in the program

BACH: Prelude & Fugue in G, S. 541 (1999 Nicholson/Gloucester Cathedral, England, UK) Priory CD-568

STANFORD: Magnificat in C –Truro Cathedral Choir, David Briggs, conductor; Henry Doughty (1887 Willis/Truro Cathedral, England, UK) Priory CD-322

VIERNE (trans. Duruflé): Cortege (1855 Willis/St. George’s Hall, Liverpool, England, UK) Priory CD-284

COCHEREAU (trans. Briggs): Improvisation on Cantem toto la Gloria (1878 Merklin/House of Hope Presbyterian Church, Saint Paul, MN) (American Public Media recording 4/28/98)

MAHLER (trans. Briggs): Sturmisch bewegt (movement 2), from Symphony No. 5 (1999 Nicholson/Gloucester Cathedral, England, UK) Priory CD-649

BRIGGS: Improvisation on Hail to the Chief (1979 C.B. Fisk/House of Hope Presbyterian Church, Saint Paul, MN) (American Public Media recording 4/28/98)

In addition to the recordings listed above, Mr. Briggs has released a disc of his transcriptions of improvisations by the late Pierre Cochereau as recorded on the Willis organ at Truro Cathedral (Priory CD-428)..