David Briggs

David J. Briggs (born 1962) is an English organist and composer.

Biography
Having been educated at Solihull School he was organ scholar at King's College, Cambridge from 1981-84. At just 17 he was awarded his Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists (FRCO) a prestigious award for professional organists. Briggs was also Principal Viola of the National Youth Orchestra.

Whilst at King's, he toured Australia, New Zealand, Belgium, The Netherlands and Germany with the college choir. In 1983 he received the Countess of Munster Award to study Interpretation and Improvisation with Jean Langlais in Paris, with whom he furthered in his interest in the art of improvisation by his transcriptions of the recordings of the late Pierre Cochereau. Transcribing the remarkable improvisations from Cochereau's cassette recordings took eleven years. Briggs' subsequent performances and recordings of them earned him his initial acclaim. He was also the first British organist to win the Tournimire prize for improvisation at the world renowned St. Albans International Improvisation Competition.

On leaving King's, he took up the post of Assistant Organist at Hereford Cathedral where he also took over the directorship of Hereford Chamber Choir and String Orchestra.

He was appointed Organist and Master of the Choristors of Truro Cathedral in 1989, before moving to the similar post at Gloucester Cathedral in 1994. While at Gloucester he oversaw the rebuilding of the organ which included the installation of the Divided Pedal. This allows the Pedal Board to be 'split', meaning the pedal stops sound on the lower section, the upper section can be set to reproduce the sound of any of the manuals. Briggs also oversaw the installation of this system on the Father Willis organ of Truro Cathedral in its rebuild in 1991. In May 2002, Briggs retired due to ill health and was replaced by Andrew Nethsingha, who had previously also succeeded him at Truro.

David is still Organist Emeritus at Gloucester Cathedral, and gives regular masterclasses at the Royal Northern College of Music and Cambridge University. He spends most of his time as a very busy international concert artist, composer, and organ advisor. He now lives in New York.

Compositions

Choir and Organ
Truro Eucharist (1990), SATB and organ
The Music Mountain (1991), SATB, Soprano and Tenor soloists and 2 organs.
The Noble Stem of Jesse (1996), SSAATTBB, for Gloucester Cathedral choir
When Waters Kiss One Bank (1996), SSAATTBB, for Gloucester Catherdral choir, words by John Donne
Holy is the True Light (1997), ATB and organ, Commissioned by RSCM America
Jubilate Deo (1998), SATB Soprano solo and organ
O Thou Who Art Unchangeable (1999), SATB, tow Soprano soloists and organ. Commissioned by Virginia Wesleyian University, USA
Matin Responsary (1999), SSAATTBB for the Gloucester Cathedral Choir
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis (2000), SATB, Tenor solo and organ, Commissioned by the Hereford Three Choirs Festival 2000
Messe pour Notre-Dame (2002), SATB and 2 Organs (although works well with one...), commissioned by the Choir of Keynsham Parish Church, Bristol.
The Rising (2003), SATB and Organ (based on an Old Celtic Prayer), commissioned by the Choir of Church Street United Methodist Church, Knoxville, Tennessee
Hosanna to the Son of David (2003), SATB and Organ commissioned by the Choir of Kirk-in-the-Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Miami
When in our music God is glorified (2003), trebles and Organ (with optional Trumpet), commissioned by the Bristol Cathedral Girls Choir for their 10th anniversary
Ave Verum Corpus (2004), SATB, commissioned by the choir of St Mary's Cathedral, Edinburgh
Christ's Peace, Commissioned by the Rosengren family in celebration of 35 years of marriage
Music, SATB A setting of the poem by Walter de la Mare. Commissioned by the Britten Singers, Hereford
Ave Maria, TTBB and organ, commissioned by the Lay Clerks of Blackburn Cathedral
Magnificat and Nunc Dimittis 'The Truro Service' (2004), commissioned in thanksgiving for the life of John Taylour
Caedmon's Hymn, SSAATTBB for Carlisle Cathedral Festival

Choir and Orchestra
Te Deum Laudamus (1997), SATB chorus, Soprano and Tenor soloists, Full Orchestra. Three Choirs Festival Commission
Creation (2000) SATB chorus, Soprano solo, Full Orchestra
Te Deum Laudamus (2003), TB Choir, 2 organs, flute, oboe, 2 horns, 2 trumpets, harp and strings. Commissioned for the 150th Anniversary of St Benedict's Abbey, Subiaco, Arkansas
Atlanta Requiem (2003), SATB, Soprano, Tenor and Bass soloists, Flute, Oboe, Trumpet, Harp, Glockenspiel, Timpani
St John Passion (2005), SATB, Soprano, Alto, Tenor and Bass Soloists, Evangelist (tenor), Jesus (bass), organ and orchestra. Commissioned by Kirk-in-the-Hills, Bloomfield Hills, Michigan.

Organ
Marche Episopale (1999), commissioned by the Incorporated Association of Organists
Transcription of the Improvised Fugue/Toccata on 'I Vow To Thee My Country' (2000)- improvisation by Briggs at the re-opening recital of Gloucester Cathedral organ. Commissioned by Mark Batten, Organist of the Birmingham Oratory.
Variations on 'Veni Creator', (for Organ Duet), commissioned by Elizabeth and Raymond Chenault
THEME AND VARIATIONS, for the Worshipful Company of Actuaries. Commissioned by Catherine Ennis, Organist at St Lawrence-Jewry, London)
Organ Symphony on Themes from the 'Missa pro defunctiis' for Stephen Farr, Organist of Guildford Cathedral, premiered by him at St David's Cathedral on 3 June 2004
Organ Concerto for Blackburn Cathedral. Organ, strings, harp, timpani, side drum, and glockenspiel.
Elegy, commissioned in celebration of the 80th Birthday of Patrick Bell, Esq, Cookham Dean.
3 Improvisations a re-construction of improvisations by American cinema organist Buddy Cole.
Variations on Greensleeves (2005)
Trio Sonata (2005)
Variations on 'Laudi Spirituali' (2004)
Fantasie (2004)

Organ Transcriptions
Symphony No. 5 - Gustav Mahler
Sigurd Jorsalfar - Edvard Grieg
Symphony No. 3: Final - Camille Saint-Saëns
Tone Poem "Death and Transfiguration" - Richard Strauss
Pierre Cochereau Transcriptions:
Suite de Danses Improvisees
Triptique Symphonique
Cantem toto la Gloria
Variations sur 'Venez Divin Messie'
Improvisations sur 'Alouette, gentille Alouette'
Two Improvisations on 'La Marseillaise
Scherzo Symphonique
Air ('Trimazo')
Gigue ('Compagnons de la Marjolaine')
Bolero sur un theme de Charles Racquet
Entree (Les offices du Dimanche)
Mission Universelle (Improvisations on St Matthew's Gospel)

Other
Fanfare for Wells (2002), for Organ, 3 Trumpets, 3 Trombones and Cymbals. A 2 minute Fanfare ('a la Marcel Dupre!') intended for use immediately before I was glad by C. Hubert H. Parry), commissioned by the Wells Cathedral Voluntary Choir, September 2002
Chempinesca (2004), for Piano Duet, in celebration of Beryl Chempin's distinguished teaching career at the Birmingham Conservatoire.
Dreamworld: Song Cycle (2005)

Discography
Improvisations III (n.d.) Gloucester Cathedral, Briggs Label
Music to rouse the spirit (n.d.) Gloucester Cathedral, Briggs label DBCD5
Bach at Gloucester (n.d.), Gloucester Cathedral, Briggs label DBCD4
Great European Organs No. 16 (1990), St George's Hall, Liverpool, Priory Records PRCD284
O Come all ye faithful (1990) King's College Choir, Cambridge, Decca
Choral Evensong from Truro Cathedral (Briggs/Henry Doughty) (1993), Truro Cathedral, Priory Records PRCD322
The Illusionist's Art - Cochereau Transcriptions (1994), Truro Cathedral, Priory Records PRCD428
Great Organ Transcriptions (1995), Truro Cathedral, Kevin Mayhew CD KMCD1007
Vivaldi: Gloria (1995), St John's College Choir, Cambridge, King's College Choir, Cambridge, Decca
Popular Organ Music Volume 2 (1996) Gloucester Cathedral, Priory Records PRCD568
Guilmant Organ Works: Volume 4 (1997), Truro Cathedral Motette 11541
Mahler: Symphony No. 5 (1998), Gloucester Cathedral, Priory Records PRCD649
King of Kings - improvisation to silent movie by Cecil B. de Mille (1999) Gloucester Cathedral, Briggs label
Organ Spectacular (1999), First Congregational Church, Los Angeles, California. Delos 3241
Silent Night (1999) King's College Choir, Cambridge, Decca
Improvisations II (2000) Gloucester Cathedral and The Oratory of St Philip Neri, Birmingham, Briggs Label
Re-Opening of Gloucester Cathedral Organ (2000), Gloucester Cathedral, Briggs label
Organ Kaleidoscope (2000), Gloucester Cathedral, Priory Records PRCD685
Great European Organs No. 57 (2000), St Johns, Upper Norwood, London, Priory Records PRCD680.
Two of a Kind (with Wayne Marshall) (2001), Gloucester Cathedral Herald AV Publications HAVPCD246
Christmas Adagios (2001), various, Decca double disc
The #1 Christmas Album (2001), various, Decca
The World of Organ Transcription (2002), Gloucester Cathedral, Priory Records PRCD79
Sounds Artistic (2002), Blackburn Cathedral, Lammas LAMM153
Rossini: Petite Messa Solonelle (Harmonium) (2002), with Stephen Cleobury, King's College Choir, Cambridge. EMI Records.
Simply Christmas (2003), various, Decca
Fanfare I (2003), various, Gloucester Cathedral, Priory Records, PRCD5000
Fanfare II (2004), various, St John's Upper Norwood, London, Priory Records PRCD5001
Sounds French (2004), Blackburn Cathedral, Lammas LAMM164D
Rossini: Stabat Mater (Harmonium) (2005), with Stephen Cleobury, King's College Choir, Cambridge. EMI Records.
Handel: Coronation Anthems (2005), with Sir Philip Ledger, King's College Choir, Cambridge. EMI Records.
David Briggs Live! (2006), Trinity Episcopal Church, Little Rock, Arkansas, Pro Organo PO7176
Dreamworld (Briggs' Compositions) (2006)
Requiem and Organ Concerto (2006), Blackburn Cathedral, Chestnut 002