David Briggs at the University of Dubuque -- April 6.
Sunday, April 6, 3 p.m.
University of Dubuque's Heritage Center, 2255 Bennett Street, Dubuque IA
An internationally renowned organist whose performances are acclaimed for their musicality, virtuosity, and ability to excite and engage audiences of all ages, David Briggs performs in the University of Dubuque's John & Alice Butler Pipe Organ Recital Series, his April 6 program proving why he is considered among the foremost organ transcribers of symphonic works, giving listeners the opportunity to experience the organ in a new way.
Briggs is also recognized as one of the world’s most renowned improvisers. He has taught improvisation techniques at Cambridge University for two decades and, as well as studying with Jean Langlais in Paris (1984-6), has made a huge in-depth study of the improvisations of the late Pierre Cochereau, Organist of Notre-Dame de Paris (1955-84). Briggs spent 11 years transcribing many of his most famous improvisations from Notre-Dame, many of which have been published by Editions Chantraine and United Music Publishers. Cochereau remains David’s primary inspiration as a musician, even though they never actually met in person.
Prolific as a composer, with more than 60 of his works published by Chestnut Music, Briggs' music has been recorded by Trinity College, Cambridge, York Minster, the Vasari Singers, Euphony and the Northern Chamber Orchestra. The Hyperion recording of Messe pour Notre Dame was selected as a Critics Choice CD by both BBC Music Magazine and Gramophone, and has now been performed by various choirs across the US, Canada, UK, Ireland, France, Holland, Germany, Australia, and New Zealand.
Briggs has been based in North America since 2003, living first in New York, before relocating to Ipswich, Massachusetts (2007-12) and Toronto, Canada (2012-17). Since 2017, he has been the Artist in Residence at the Cathedral of St John the Divine, in New York – the world’s largest Gothic cathedral. 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. And the musician continues to tour the world as one of the most sought-after concert organists of his generation, playing around 65 concerts each year.
David Briggs performs in the John & Alice Butler Hall of the University of Dubuque's Heritage Center on April 6, admission to his 3 p.m. recital is $20, and more information and tickets are available by calling (563)585-7469 and visiting Dbq.edu/heritagecenter.
