Simon Preston
Simon Preston (born August 4, 1938 in Bournemouth , England ) is an English organist , conductor and composer .
As a youth, Preston was a chorister at King's College , Cambridge and learned to play the organ with Hugh McLean and CH Trevor. When King's College offered scholarships for organ students, Preston applied for a scholarship and when he received the scholarship returned to King's College and stayed there for five years. During this time he worked with organist David Willcocks .
From 1962 he was second organist at Westminster Abbey , giving up this position in 1967 to move to Christ Church (Oxford) in 1970 . He played here until 1981, only to return that year to Westminster Abbey as organist and choirmaster . But in 1987 he gave up his post in London to start an international concert career, which he continues to this day.
However, Simon Preston not only plays the organ , but also composed some works for this instrument. One of his most famous creations is probably his Alleluyas , which he wrote in the style of the French composer Olivier Messiaen .
In 2009 Preston was named Commander of the Order of the British Empire (CBE) for services to Classical Music .
Individual evidence
- ^ Order of the British Empire: Commanders of the Order of the British Empire. (PDF; 327 kB) BBC News, accessed on February 3, 2013 (English).
Web links
- Preston's biography (English)
- Biography and Discography (English)
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Preston, Simon |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | English organist, conductor and composer |
| DATE OF BIRTH | 4th August 1938 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Bournemouth , England |