Robert Quinney
Encyclopedia
Robert Quinney is Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey
. In addition to his work at the Abbey, he has a busy freelance career as soloist
, ensemble player, and writer on music. Since October 2009 he has been Director of Oundle for Organists, whose residential courses provide inspiring tuition for young organists.
In 2002 Quinney was named Royal College of Organists Performer of the Year.
, where he was Organ Scholar from 1995 to 1998. Prior to this he spent a year as Organ Scholar of Winchester Cathedral
and Assistant Organist of Winchester College
.
On graduating from Cambridge (with BA and M.Phil. degrees) Quinney became Acting Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey.
as Assistant Master of Music in September 2000. In addition to daily work with Westminster Cathedral Choir, he organised and gave many of the Cathedral's recital
s. In 2001 he became the fourth organist to play the monumental Passion Symphony Christus by Francis Pott
.
Since moving back to Westminster Abbey in 2004 he has performed with the Abbey Choir on concert tours to the United States and Australia, and on a series of recordings for Hyperion. He is the principal organist for many special and daily services held at the Abbey. He won the Royal College of Organists
Performer of the Year competition in 2002. His double disc The Grand Organ of Westminster Cathedral has been widely acclaimed. Quinney is also active as a continuo player and writer on music. His Short Service for boys' voices was written for the choristers of Westminster Abbey and first performed in 2008. He played the organ for the Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton in the Abbey on April 29, 2011, accompanying the choir and congregation.
Westminster Abbey
The Collegiate Church of St Peter at Westminster, popularly known as Westminster Abbey, is a large, mainly Gothic church, in the City of Westminster, London, United Kingdom, located just to the west of the Palace of Westminster. It is the traditional place of coronation and burial site for English,...
. In addition to his work at the Abbey, he has a busy freelance career as soloist
Solo (music)
In music, a solo is a piece or a section of a piece played or sung by a single performer...
, ensemble player, and writer on music. Since October 2009 he has been Director of Oundle for Organists, whose residential courses provide inspiring tuition for young organists.
In 2002 Quinney was named Royal College of Organists Performer of the Year.
Education and early career
Robert Quinney studied at King's College, CambridgeKing's College, Cambridge
King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge, England. The college's full name is "The King's College of our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge", but it is usually referred to simply as "King's" within the University....
, where he was Organ Scholar from 1995 to 1998. Prior to this he spent a year as Organ Scholar of Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral
Winchester Cathedral at Winchester in Hampshire is one of the largest cathedrals in England, with the longest nave and overall length of any Gothic cathedral in Europe...
and Assistant Organist of Winchester College
Winchester College
Winchester College is an independent school for boys in the British public school tradition, situated in Winchester, Hampshire, the former capital of England. It has existed in its present location for over 600 years and claims the longest unbroken history of any school in England...
.
On graduating from Cambridge (with BA and M.Phil. degrees) Quinney became Acting Sub-Organist of Westminster Abbey.
Career at Westminster
After a year as Acting Sub Organist at Westminster Abbey, Robert Quinney moved to Westminster CathedralWestminster Cathedral
Westminster Cathedral in London is the mother church of the Catholic community in England and Wales and the Metropolitan Church and Cathedral of the Archbishop of Westminster...
as Assistant Master of Music in September 2000. In addition to daily work with Westminster Cathedral Choir, he organised and gave many of the Cathedral's recital
Recital
A recital is a musical performance. It can highlight a single performer, sometimes accompanied by piano, or a performance of the works of a single composer.The invention of the solo piano recital has been attributed to Franz Liszt....
s. In 2001 he became the fourth organist to play the monumental Passion Symphony Christus by Francis Pott
Francis Pott
Francis Pott, born 25 August 1957, is a British composer, pianist, senior academic and university administrator.-Life:He held open music scholarships at Winchester College and Magdalene College, Cambridge, studying composition at the latter with Robin Holloway and Hugh Wood while also pursuing...
.
Since moving back to Westminster Abbey in 2004 he has performed with the Abbey Choir on concert tours to the United States and Australia, and on a series of recordings for Hyperion. He is the principal organist for many special and daily services held at the Abbey. He won the Royal College of Organists
Royal College of Organists
The Royal College of Organists or RCO, is a charity and membership organisation based in the United Kingdom, but with members around the world...
Performer of the Year competition in 2002. His double disc The Grand Organ of Westminster Cathedral has been widely acclaimed. Quinney is also active as a continuo player and writer on music. His Short Service for boys' voices was written for the choristers of Westminster Abbey and first performed in 2008. He played the organ for the Wedding of Prince William, Duke of Cambridge, and Catherine Middleton in the Abbey on April 29, 2011, accompanying the choir and congregation.
Discography
Partial discography:- J S Bach: Trio Sonatas (Coro, 2011)
- The Organ of Westminster Abbey: music by Elgar (Signum, 2011)
- A New Heaven (Universal) - Organist for The SixteenThe SixteenThe Sixteen are a choir and period instrument orchestra; founded by Harry Christophers in 1979.The group's special reputation for performing early English polyphony, masterpieces of the Renaissance, bringing fresh insights into Baroque and early Classical music and a diversity of 20th century...
- A Christmas Caroll from Westminster Abbey (Hyperion) - Organist for the Abbey Choir
- The Feast of the Ascension at Westminster Abbey (Hyperion) - Organist for the Abbey Choir
- The Organ of Westminster Cathedral - 2004 (Signum) (Gramophone Editor's Choice, BBC Music Magazine Instrumental Disc of the Month)