The AIOA

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Dr Peter Hurford OBE

Dr Peter Hurford OBE (1930-2019), a founder member of the AIOA, was renowned for five of his many achievements:

recording the complete organ compositions (as then known) of J.S. Bach, in stylish and historically-informed performances on a selection of the finest neoclassical organs around the world,

for designing, with Ralph Downes and Harrison & Harrison, the 1962 organ in St Albans Cathedral (where he was cathedral organist),

for instituting the St Albans Organ Competition (later developing into the St Albans Organ Festival) in 1964,

for his influential book Making Music at the Organ (OUP, 1998) and

for being consultant for several other significant organs, the most important of which being Ronald Sharp instrument in Sydney Opera House.

He also composed attractive organ and choral pieces, several of which continue to receive regular performances.

He served as President of the Royal College of Organists (for whom he was, in addition, a diploma examiner and received its Medal in 2013), held a number of honorary doctorates, was from 2006 an Honorary Fellow of Jesus College, Cambridge (where he had read both Law and Music) and was made an Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).