Jonathan Rennert
Encyclopedia
Jonathan Rennert is an English organist, conductor and writer. He gave his debut broadcast organ recital at the age of 19 in Westminster Cathedral, having become a Fellow of the Royal College of Organists at 18. ('A force to be reckoned with', opined the reviewer in 'Music & Musicians'.) He studied at the Royal College of Music under Richard Popplewell
, John Barstow and William Lloyd Webber, and at Cambridge (where he was organ scholar of St John's College) under George Guest
and Gillian Weir
. Awards included Cambridge University's John Stewart of Rannoch Scholarship in Sacred Music and 'Greater London Arts Association Young Musician 1975'. Short periods based in London and Ottawa were followed by his appointment in 1979 as Director of Music of St Michael's Cornhill, the church which has been his base for 32 years. Here he has given more than 400 of the weekly lunchtime organ recitals, and continued the musical traditions of such predecessors as William Boyce (the 18th-century composer) and Harold Darke
. He has tended to specialise in the music of J S Bach and romantic English composers, though he also gives first performances of new music. He has given organ recitals in many countries, and in 'celebrity' series at the Royal Festival Hall, St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, and was Musician-in-Residence at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. There are several CDs, including a choral disc of music by George Dyson
in which Rennert conducted St Michael's Singers and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
, and was commended by 'Gramophone' magazine: 'The performance is superb. Rennert has the right sense of spaciousness and husbands his climaxes with measured artistry.' Other choirs of which he has been chief conductor include the Elizabethan Singers and St Cecilia Chorus. His writings include biographies of the infant prodigy and composer William Crotch, and of the organist George Thalben-Ball
. He has served as President of The Organ Club
, Warden of the Incorporated Society of Musicians
and Master of the Worshipful Company of Musicians
. He is a senior moderating examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
.
Richard Popplewell
Richard Popplewell LVO is an English organist and composer who served at the Chapel Royal.-Background:He was born in Halifax, Yorkshire on 18 October 1935...
, John Barstow and William Lloyd Webber, and at Cambridge (where he was organ scholar of St John's College) under George Guest
George Guest
George Guest was a Welsh organist and choral conductor.- Birth and early life :George Guest was born in Bangor, Wales. His father was an organist, and George assisted him by acting as organ blower. He became a chorister at Bangor Cathedral, and subsequently at Chester Cathedral, where he...
and Gillian Weir
Gillian Weir
Dame Gillian Constance Weir DBE is a New Zealand organist.-Biography:Gillian Weir was a co-winner of the Auckland Star Piano Competition at 19, playing Mozart. A year later she won a scholarship of the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music in London...
. Awards included Cambridge University's John Stewart of Rannoch Scholarship in Sacred Music and 'Greater London Arts Association Young Musician 1975'. Short periods based in London and Ottawa were followed by his appointment in 1979 as Director of Music of St Michael's Cornhill, the church which has been his base for 32 years. Here he has given more than 400 of the weekly lunchtime organ recitals, and continued the musical traditions of such predecessors as William Boyce (the 18th-century composer) and Harold Darke
Harold Darke
Dr Harold Edwin Darke was an English composer and organist.Darke was born in Highbury, London the youngest son of Samuel Darke & Arundel Bourne...
. He has tended to specialise in the music of J S Bach and romantic English composers, though he also gives first performances of new music. He has given organ recitals in many countries, and in 'celebrity' series at the Royal Festival Hall, St Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey, and was Musician-in-Residence at Grace Cathedral, San Francisco. There are several CDs, including a choral disc of music by George Dyson
George Dyson
George Dyson is the name of:* George Dyson , English composer* George Dyson , writer on science...
in which Rennert conducted St Michael's Singers and the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
Royal Philharmonic Orchestra
The Royal Philharmonic Orchestra is a British orchestra based in London. It tours widely, and is sometimes referred to as "Britain's national orchestra"...
, and was commended by 'Gramophone' magazine: 'The performance is superb. Rennert has the right sense of spaciousness and husbands his climaxes with measured artistry.' Other choirs of which he has been chief conductor include the Elizabethan Singers and St Cecilia Chorus. His writings include biographies of the infant prodigy and composer William Crotch, and of the organist George Thalben-Ball
George Thalben-Ball
Sir George Thomas Thalben-Ball CBE was an organist and composer who, though originally from Australia, spent most of his life in Britain....
. He has served as President of The Organ Club
Organ Club
The Organ Club is a Worldwide Society for Friends of the Pipe Organ and was founded in 1926. -History:The organ club was founded at its inaugural meeting on 2 December 1926 at St. John's Presbytarian Church, Marlborough Road, London. The lead to the first general meeting which was held in 22...
, Warden of the Incorporated Society of Musicians
Incorporated Society of Musicians
Incorporated Society of Musicians is the UK's professional body for musicians. It champions the importance of music and protects the rights of those working within music through a range of services, campaigns, support and practical advice...
and Master of the Worshipful Company of Musicians
Worshipful Company of Musicians
The Worshipful Company of Musicians is one of the Livery Companies of the City of London. Its history dates back to at least 1350. Originally a specialist guild for musicians, its role became an anachronism in the 18th century, when the centre of music making in London moved from the City to the...
. He is a senior moderating examiner for the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
ABRSM is an internationally recognised educational body and charity that provides examinations in music The organisation, based in London, UK, runs exams in centres all over the world...
.