“A sonic treat...” Gramophone, July 2010

   studied music at the University of Bristol. Having held organ scholarships at Chester Cathedral and St. Mary Redcliffe, Bristol, in 2002 he was appointed Sub-Organist at Bristol Cathedral. In July 2003, he moved to Cirencester Parish Church, in the heart of the Cotswolds, as Assistant Director of Music, subsequently being promoted to the post of Director of Music and Organist there in 2006. He has studied the organ in England with Roger Fisher and David Briggs, and in Paris with Dr. Naji Hakim. A Fellow of the Royal College of Organists and winner of the Dixon Prize for Improvisation, his passion for French organ music and improvisation led to seven years of doctoral research into the career and technique of legendary French organist and improviser Pierre Cochereau. He was awarded his Ph.D. in July 2010 by the University of Bristol for this.

He has recorded several CDs, most of which are on the Priory label. One of these includes his own reconstruction of a symphony improvised by Pierre Cochereau at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco, in 1972. The score of this reconstruction was published by Dr. J. Butz Musikverlag in October 2009. His recordings for Priory, including an album of Elgar organ music, an album of his own improvisations, and a volume in the Great European Organs series recorded on the newly rebuilt Willis/Harrison instrument in Cirencester Parish Church, have received widespread critical acclaim. He has broadcast for the B.B.C. and has given recitals in churches, cathedrals and concert halls throughout the U.K. and in Europe.

In October 2009 he made his American solo debut at St. Mary’s Cathedral, San Francisco, where he played at the invitation of the American Guild of Organists. He will be returning to America for concerts in Washington D.C., New York and Boston in 2012. Also in 2012, the University of Rochester Press will publish his new book on Pierre Cochereau, the first full length English language study of this incredible musician, written with full assistance and support from the Cochereau family and former colleagues.

Dr Anthony Hammond