David Briggs

Events

  • St. Cecilia Recital - David Briggs - Benaroya Hall - Fisk Organ
    200 University Street
    July 3, 2022 @ 7:30 pm
    David Briggs brings vibrant life to the music of every period from the baroque to the mid-20th century. The program features works not only composed for the organ, but also transcribed symphonic works that sing beautifully on the instrument. Beginning with improvised cadenzas in the Bach Toccata and Fugue in D Minor, BWV 565, and ending with reconstructed liturgical improvisations of Pierre Cochereau's 1960's works, the final being the blistering Sortie in Eb, this performance by Briggs promises a live vitality rarely experienced in an organ recital, giving you the opportunity to experience music on Benaroya's mighty 'King of Instruments' in a new way. Major funding for this performance is provided by the Marianne Webb St. Cecilia Endowment. The St. Cecilia Recital was established in 2007 through the generosity of Marianne Webb, Professor of Music and Distinguished University Organist at Southern Illinois University Carbondale, in gratitude to God for a lifelong career as a concert organist and educator. Miss Webb’s endowment, established in perpetuity, presents world-renowned concert organists in recital during the biennial National Conventions of the American Guild of Organists.

About

“Mr. Briggs is one of our finest organists, and also a particularly good transcriber of orchestral works for his own instrument. “

The New York Times

David Briggs is an internationally renowned organist whose performances are acclaimed for their musicality, virtuosity, and ability to excite and engage audiences of all ages. Consistently ranked as one of the finest organists of his generation, David’s extensive repertoire spans five centuries. He has also become one of the foremost organ transcribers of symphonic works, thereby giving listeners the opportunity to experience the organ in a new way. He has transcribed orchestral compositions by Schubert, Tchaikovsky, Elgar, Bruckner, Ravel, and Bach as well as Mahler’s Second, Third, Fourth, Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth symphonies. 

Described as ‘an intrepid improviser” by Michael Barone, host of American Public Media’s Pipedreams, David also frequently performs improvisations to silent films such as Phantom of the Opera, Hunchback of Notre-Dame, Nosferatu, Jeanne d’Arc, Metropolis, King of Kings, Dr Jekyll and Mr Hyde, the General, and a variety of Charlie Chaplin films.

At the age of 17, David obtained his FRCO (Fellow of the Royal College of Organists) diploma, winning the Silver Medal of the Worshipful Company of Musicians. From 1981-84 he was Organ Scholar at King’s College, Cambridge University, during which time he studied with Jean Langlais in Paris. The first British winner of the Tournemire Prize at the St Albans International Improvisation Competition, he also won the first prize in the International Improvisation Competition at Paisley. Subsequently David held positions at Hereford, Truro and Gloucester Cathedrals.

Deeply committed to ensuring organ music remains relevant and vibrant, David enjoys giving pre-concert lectures and demonstrations that help make organ music more broadly accessible. He teaches performance at Cambridge University, frequently serves on international organ competition juries, and gives master classes at colleges and conservatories across the U.S. and Europe.  

David performs more than 50 concerts a year at such venues as Maison Symphonique, Montreal; Royal Albert Hall, London; Notre -Dame, St Sulpice and St Eustache, Paris; Kimmel Center, Philadelphia; Berlin Philharmonie, Germany; St James Cathedral, Toronto; International Performing Arts Center, Moscow; Valencia Cathedral, Spain; National Auditorium, Madrid; Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria (BC); Nidaros Cathedral, Trondheim, Norway; Grace Cathedral, San Francisco (CA); and King’s College, Cambridge.

David Briggs is also a prolific composer and his works range from full scale oratorios to works for solo instruments. He has recorded two DVDs, and 37 CDs, many of which include his own compositions and transcriptions.  

David is currently Artist-in-Residence at the Cathedral of St John the Divine in New York City. For more information, Please visit:  www.david-briggs.org.