Matinee organ recital by David Hardie

Prelude and Fugue on BACH Franz Liszt (1811-1886) 

Four Variations on “Unter der Linden grüne” Jan Pieterszoon Sweelinck (1562-1621)   

Sonata no. 4 in E minor BWV 528 JS Bach (1685-1750) 

Adagio-Vivace

Andante

Un poco Allegro

Choral no. 3 in A minor César Franck (1822-1890) 

David Hardie was born in Falkirk, beginning his organ studies with Richard Galloway at the age of 14 and gaining his first organ scholarship at the Church of the Holy Rude in Stirling.  He subsequently became organ scholar at Pembroke College, Cambridge, where he read for a degree in law while studying the organ with Anne Page. During this period he also held the organ scholarship of Dunblane Cathedral. 

On graduating from Cambridge, David moved to Cheshire where he qualified as a solicitor and combined some years in practice at a Manchester law firm with work as a semi-professional musician. He was Director of Music at St Peter’s Hale for nine years, and Accompanist and later Director of the Chester St Cecilia Singers. He also maintained a connection with the choir of Dunblane Cathedral, playing on tours to Wells in 2001, Dublin in 2004, Chichester in 2007 and Ripon in 2010.

David resigned from legal practice in 2011 to undertake a Master’s degree at the Royal Northern College of Music. He studied with Jeffrey Makinson and graduated with distinction in 2013, winning the RNCM Organ Recital Prize competition. During this period David also held the organ scholarship of Manchester Cathedral and gained the Fellowship of the Royal College of Organists. He then undertook a further year of private study with Gordon Stewart.

In 2014, David moved to Birmingham to take up posts as Assistant Director of Music at Birmingham Cathedral and Organist of The Blue Coat School. From 2015 to 2017, he also undertook further organ study with Henry Fairs at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire. In 2017, David was appointed Acting Head of Music at Birmingham Cathedral on the retirement of Marcus Huxley, before being appointed permanent Head of Music in 2018.  David directs the cathedral choirs, currently comprising 45 children and professional adults, in five choral services each week, and on broadcasts, recordings and tours. A highlight of his tenure so far was the choir's tour to Scotland in February 2020, performing in several notable venues including Dunblane Cathedral.