Tuesday 17th October 2006, 7:30pm
John Pryer
Titular Organist, Alexandra Palace
Not only is John Pryer the organist of Alexandra Palace but he is also the Organiste Titulaire of Birmingham Oratory. He received his musical education as a chorister at Ely Cathedral under Sidney Campbell and Arthur Wills and won a music Scholarship to Clifton College, Bristol where he was taught by the legendary Douglas Fox. From Clifton he proceeded to Keble College, Oxford as Organ Scholar where he graduated and gained the F.R.C.O Diploma winning the Limpus prize for the highest marks in organ playing and the Read prize for the highest marks overall. After teaching posts in Bath, Bristol and Repton he became assistant to Roy Massey at Birmingham Cathedral in 1970. Since 1978 he has been Music Master at Handsworth Grammar School and in 1985/6 was again at Birmingham Cathedral as Organist. His appointment to the Alexandra Palace as Titular Organist dates from 1999.
Samples of John’s previous performances at The Palace can be heard here.
Programme
Offertoire in C ~ Edouard Batiste 1820 – 1876
Prelude & Fugue in B minor ~ J.S.Bach 1685 – 1750
Benedictus ~ Max Reger 1873 – 1916
Ofertorio ~ Jesus Guridi 1886 – 1961
Grand Choeur in D ~ Alexandre Guilmant 1837 – 1911
Interval
RAF March Past ~ Sir Walford Davies 1869 – 1941
Elegiac Melody ~ Eduard Grieg 1843 – 1907
War March of the Priests ~ Felix Mendelssohn-Bartholdy 1809 – 1847
Improvisation upon Baa-Baa, Black Sheep
