Lawrence Thain

Monday 10th August 2009 1:00 PM, Holy Trinity Church, Hereford

The first of the RCO Young Organists Recitals in the Hereford Three Choirs Festival, featuring players who have recently attained ARCO.

J S Bach (1685 – 1750)
Selections from Clavierubung III
Prelude in Eb BWV 552i [8'30]
Christ, unser Herr, zum Jordan kam BWV 684 [4'10]
Aus Tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir BWV 686 [6'10]
"St. Anne" Fugue BWV 552ii [7']

César Franck (1822 – 1890)
Prelude, Fugue et Variation [9']

Herbert Howells (1892 – 1983)
Psalm Prelude no. 1, set 1 [5']

Maurice Duruflé 1902 – 1986)
Choral Varie sur "Veni Creator Spiritus" [5'30]

Lawrence began studying the organ under Julie Ainscough at secondary school whilst a chorister at the Chapel Royal, Hampton Court Palace. His seven year tenure as a chorister saw him sing in performances with Cliff Richard, José Carreras and Dame Kiri Te Kanawa as well as for HM The Queen and HRH Prince Charles. At the age of 15, only a few months after his voice broke, Lawrence returned to the Chapel Royal to begin a three year posting as organ scholar whilst continuing A-level studies in Music, German, Russian and Biology. He was awarded the organ scholarship to New College, Oxford,aged just 16 and also passed his ARCO.

Next month will see Lawrence enter his second year of study at New College where he is reading music. During University term, he works with the choristers daily and shares the playing of six services a week with the Assistant Organist, Steven Grahl. He is regularly sought after as an accompanist, for recitals and as a deputising organist both. As a very able flautist and bassoonist, he is also asked to play in orchestras and chamber groups across the University. Lawrence’s interests branch outside of the music sphere however and when not in the organ loft, he can be found on the lacrosse field as a member of the Varsity Mixed Lacrosse team.

He tours with the famous New College Choir and his first year has seen him travel to places including Cyprus, Venice and Metz. Future plans include a tour to France in September and a European tour at Christmas, and in January, Lawrence will sit his FRCO examinations.

http://www.3choirs.org/2009-hereford/programme/monday-10-august/rco-young-organist-recital-lawrence-thain.html