DAVID PETHER

Organist based in Reading, Berkshire with three decades of experience playing for services, concerts and special events.

DAVID PETHER

Organist based in Reading, Berkshire with three decades of experience playing for services, concerts and special events.

Biography

David Pether is the regular organist for graduation ceremonies of both the University of Reading and the University College of Estate Management. He was recently appointed Organist at Pangbourne College, where he accompanies services in the Falkland Islands Memorial Chapel, and he has been playing for Sunday services, weddings and funerals at churches in the Reading, Wokingham and Henley area for over 30 years.

While a student at Pembroke College, Cambridge, David was Chapel Organist in the college’s Wren Chapel and undertook organ performance studies with Paul Trepte at Bury St Edmunds Cathedral. Subsequently he also studied with David Briggs and Daniel Moult, and has accompanied services at the cathedrals of Peterborough, Ely, Guildford and Lincoln, Bath Abbey and York Minster.

As a member of the Berkshire Organists’ Association, David liaises with Reading Borough Council to promote the use of the historic Father Willis organ in Reading Town Hall, where he performed as soloist in Poulenc’s Organ Concerto in 2011. He has also given several recitals on this important instrument, including for the Reading Borough Council Mayor Making Ceremony in May 2023, a programme of duets presented jointly with the organ’s Curator, Dr William McVicker, and an appearance playing the title music for an episode of the BBC TV series Flog It!

In 2013, David took part in the concerts marking the restoration of the former Adelaide Town Hall organ, now in the Barossa Valley, South Australia, and was invited to return there in 2015 to present a solo recital.

David has participated as an ensemble organist in many orchestral works, including Strauss’ Eine Alpensinfonie, Holst’s Planets Suite and the Saint-Saëns Organ Symphony.

An album on which David is one of the guest musicians, ‘English Sketches’ by Hilary James and Simon Mayor, was listed in the Sunday Times’ top 10 world music releases of 2011.

David is a Member of the Independent Society of Musicians and is available to play for concerts, weddings, funerals and regular church services.

“This was a performance to treasure in the memory.”
– Jill York in ‘The Berkshire Organist 2018′

“David’s interpretations and musicianship were exemplary…”
– Jonathan Holl in ‘The Berkshire Organist 2016′

EVENT TYPES

  • Church service
  • Wedding
  • Funeral / Memorial service
  • Public ceremonial event
  • Solo recital
  • Corporate event
  • Choral concert
  • Orchestral concert

Genres

Wide-ranging solo organ repertoire includes Baroque, Classical, Romantic, Contemporary classical, Orchestral transcriptions, Christmas, Traditional church music, including all standard wedding and funeral repertoire.

Organ accompaniments for choral repertoire. Organ parts in orchestral works.

Listen

All excerpts below have been recorded at live concerts in the Reading area.

Concerto in A minor, 1st movement

by Johann S Bach / Vivaldi:

Nimrod from ‘Enigma Variations’

by Edward Elgar:

Grand Choeur in D major

by William Faulkes:

Contact

To enquire about availability please use the contact form including the date and location of your event.

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