John Scott-Whiteley

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

One of Britain's finest concert organists, John Scott Whiteley made his debut at the Royal Festival Hall in London, 1983 at the formerly well known 5.55 series of Recitals. He has performed extensively around the world and undertakes a yearly tour of the USA the first being in 1985. He has performed in most major UK Cathedrals and concert halls and currently holds the post of organist at York Minster.

Mr Whiteley won the 1976 national organ competition of Great Britain and became assistant organist of York Minster that same year. He has researched and written a book about Belgian composer Joseph Jongen, which has been described as "a benchmark against which similar studies should be measured". Amongst his numerous recordings are 'Great Romantic Organ Music', 'The Dupré Legacy' and 'The complete organ works of Joseph Jongen'.

In 2003 the Associated-Rediffusion Television Productions company, owned by Victor Lewis-Smith, approached him to record the complete organ works of Johann Sebastian Bach for BBC television (a project which he is currently engaged). Unusual filming techniques include miniature cameras and mirrors inside the period German instruments while the organs are being played. Locations include St Wenzels church in Naumburg Germany(home to the famous Zacharias Hildebrandt instrument) and the Bachkirche in Arnstadt. John Warburton was the Tonmeister for this project.

Mr Whiteley combines his busy schedule with Recording and touring and has composed anthems and organ works. He was also Professor of Organ at Hull University from 1978 to 2003