David Briggs

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.

Fascinated by the art of Improvisation since a child, 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, the General, as well as 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 the Organ Scholar at King’s College, Cambridge University, during which time he studied organ 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 making organ music vibrant for future generations, David enjoys giving pre-concert lectures designed to make organ music more accessible to audiences. He teaches at Oxford and Cambridge, frequently serves on international organ competition juries, and gives master classes at colleges and conservatories across the U.S. and Europe.

David’s schedule includes more than 60 concerts a year, spanning several continents. Upcoming engagements include performances at Maison Symphonique, Montreal; Overture Center for the Arts, Madison (WI); Duke University Chapel (NC); Trinity Cathedral, Portland (OR); St James Cathedral, Seattle (WA); Royal Albert Hall, London; Truro Cathedral, UK; St Sulpice and St Eustache, Paris; Antwerp Cathedral, Belgium; Bourges Cathedral, France; 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 Kings 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 DVD’s, 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.