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Clive Driskill-Smith is one of the leading organists of his
generation. Hailed as a "star of a new generation" (Evening
Standard), critics have praised his "blazing technique" and "unbelievable
virtuosity" (American Guild of Organists) and described
his performances as "intensely moving" and "truly
breathtaking" (Organo Pleno Melbourne).
Born in 1978, Clive was awarded the Sheila Mossman Memorial
Prize by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music
before winning a Music Scholarship to Eton College in 1990.
From 1992 to 1994, he played the bassoon in the National Youth
Orchestra of Great Britain and in the National Youth Chamber
Orchestra. After a year as Organ Scholar at Winchester Cathedral
and Assistant Organist at Winchester College, he went up to
Christ Church, Oxford University, as the Christopher Tatton
Organ Scholar. While at Christ Church, he was awarded the ARCM
(Associate of the Royal College of Music) diploma in Piano
Performance and the FRCO (Fellow of the Royal College of Organists)
diploma with the Limpus, Shinn and Durrant Prizes and the Worshipful
Company of Musicians' Silver Medal. He graduated with a First
Class Honours degree in Music in 1999 and with the MPhil in
2001.
Winner of the Royal College of Organists' Performer of the
Year Competition in 2000 and the Calgary International Organ
Competition in 2002, Clive has performed in the UK, France,
Belgium, Germany, Italy, Spain, Denmark, Norway, Finland, South
Africa, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Canada, the USA, South America,
Australia and New Zealand. A pupil of David Sanger and Hans
Fagius, he was awarded a Travelling Scholarship by the Royal
College of Organists in 1999 and the W. T. Best Scholarship
by the Worshipful Company of Musicians in 2002. Both of these
have funded further study on the Continent with Marie-Claire
Alain, Guy Bovet, Andrea Marcon, Luigi Tagliavini and Dr Harald
Vogel.
Clive's repertoire spans six centuries and includes the complete
works of Maurice Duruflé and Olivier Messiaen. His performances
have been broadcast in Australia, Finland, Japan, Sweden, the
UK and the USA. He has recorded two solo CDs: The Organs of
Eton College, released on the Priory label in 2004, and Fiat
Lux, released on the Herald label in 2006.
Clive is a member of the American Guild of Organists, a Freeman
of the City of London and a Liveryman of the Worshipful Company
of Musicians. He is currently Sub-Organist at Christ Church
Cathedral in Oxford, where he accompanies the choir under the
direction of Stephen Darlington. He plays for the daily services
as well as the choir's many recordings, broadcasts and tours.
Clive also performs with American percussionist Joseph Gramley
in an organ and percussion duo called Organized
Rhythm.
"A master performer in a range of musical styles. His
playing is immaculate."
Organists' Review, England
"First Rate."
The Diapason |
