Vision and Virtuosity

A visit with British organist David Briggs, who talks about his career and plays instruments in England and Minnesota.

Listen to the program;   Part 1    Part 2

Audio Interview

Listen to David Briggs Commentary:

• On Pierre Cochereau
• Transcribing recorded improvisations
• Being a cathedral organist
• Experiences with instruments

Program Broadcast dates:

• November 1, 1999

Music played in the program

J.S. BACH: Prelude & Fugue in G, S. 541 (1898 Henry Willis; 1971 Hill, Norman & Beard; 1999 Nicholson/Gloucester Cathedral, England, UK) Priory PRCD568

CHARLES VILLIERS STANFORD: Magnificat in C –Truro Cathedral Choir, David Briggs, conductor; Henry Doughty (1887 Henry Willis/Truro Cathedral, England, UK) Priory PRCD322

LOUIS VIERNE (transcribed by Maurice Duruflé): Cortege (1855 Henry Willis/St. George Hall, Liverpool, England, UK) Priory PRCD284

PIERRE COCHEREAU (transcribed by David Briggs): Improvisation on Cantem toto la Gloria (1878 Merklin/House of Hope Presbyterian, Saint Paul, MN) Pipedreams Archive recorded April 28, 1998

GUSTAV MAHLER (transcribed by David Briggs): Sturmisch bewegt; movement 2, from Symphony Number 5 (1898 Henry Willis; 1971 Hill, Norman & Beard; 1999 Nicholson/Gloucester Cathedral, England, UK) Priory PRCD649

DAVID BRIGGS: Improvisation on Hail to the Chief (1979 C.B. Fisk/House of Hope Presbyterian, Saint Paul, MN) Pipedreams Archive recorded April 28, 1998

In addition to the recordings listed above, Mr. Briggs has released a disc of his transcriptions of improvisations by the late Pierre Cochereau as recorded on the Willis organ at Truro Cathedral, Priory PRCD428.