Peter Hurford
British organist, composer and choral conductor Peter Hurford was born in Minehead on 22 November 1930. He studied both music and law at Cambridge University and then Baroque music in Paris with the blind French organist André Marchal.
He was organist and choirmaster of St Albans Cathedral for twenty years, from 1958, and set up an organ competition in 1963, which was successful and developed into the St Albans International Organ Festival.
He had a successful performing and recording career, for which he travelled extensively, including to the USA and Australia. He made more than fifty recordings, including J S Bach's complete organ works, both for Decca and BBC Radio 3.
As a composer, he published much Anglican choral music, the best-known piece probably being Litany to the Holy Spirit, setting words by Robert Herrick.
Peter Hurford died in St Albans on 3 March 2019, aged eighty-eight.
A selection of articles about Peter Hurford
CD Spotlight. Beautifully Managed - Music for Lent and Easter impresses Howard Smith. '... excellent musical standards and high technical achievements ...'
CD Spotlight. Eclectically Balanced - An organ recital by SooHwang Choi, heard by Gerald Fenech. '... expressive beauty.'
Rhythmic Bounce - Peter Gould at the organ of Derby Cathedral, enjoyed by Mike Wheeler