Artist Biography

 

The only time the International Congress of Organists was held in the United States (1977), a young organist from New York was awarded the First Prize in Organ Performance by a panel of distinguished international judges. The next day, another panel of distinguished judges from around the world, again operating in the blind, awarded the First Prize in Organ Improvisation - and the winner was the same young American organist. David Hurd, then music director at the Church of the Intercession in Harlem, within the space of days, had walked away with the two most prestigious organ prizes in the world at the time.

Two decades later, David Hurd is widely recognized as one of the foremost church musicians and concert organists in the country, with a long list of awards, prizes, honors, and achievements to his credit. He studied both at the Preparatory Division of Juilliard and at Manhattan's High School of Music and Art. Later he attended Oberlin College in Ohio, graduating with a music degree in 1971. He went on for further study at the University of North Carolina and the Manhattan School of Music. His organ teachers have included Bronson Ragan, Garth Peacock, Arthur Poister, and Rudolph Kremer.

Dr. Hurd is the director of music and organist of the Church of the Holy Apostles. He is also professor of church music and organist at The General Theological Seminary. He is the composer of dozens of choral and organ works published by a number of major houses.

For relaxation he may take a break from composing and from the organ, but not from music. He loves to play recorders and is accomplished on instruments from Sopranino through Contrabass. Evenings, when not on the road performing, may well find him practicing with the Chelsea Winds, an ensemble he helped found in 1993. 

Program

Toccata and Fugue in a, Opus 80                                                                         Max Reger (1873-1916)

Wir glauben all an einen Gott, Vater, BWV 740                                                        J.S. Bach (1685-750)

Te Deum Laudamus                                                                                                       David Hurd, 1981

Grande Pièce Symphonique, Opus 17                                                               César Franck (1822-1890)

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