YOUNG ORGANIST

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22964, 20 August 1936, Page 8

YOUNG ORGANIST

APPOINTMENT TO ST. PAUL'S MR J. D. BOWER i (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, July 25. A young man of 31, Mr John Dykes Bower, organist of Durham Cathedral, has been appointed as organist of St. Paul's, London, in succession to Dr Stanley Marchant, who is to be the new principal of the Royal Academy of Music, and upon whom has been conferred the title of Organist Emeritus of St. Paul's. The Dean of St. Paul's says: "The title of Organist Emeritus is an honorary one. and it has never been given before. It is very unusual for an organist to leave St. Paul's to go to any other post. Mr Bower was formerly organist at New College, Oxford, and, at the age of 21, he was appointed to Truro Cathedral. He is a member of a well'mown Gloucestershire family. From Cheltenham he went up to Corpus Christi College, Oxford, with an organ scholarship, and was also John Stewart of Rannoch Scholar in Sacred Music. He is a fellow of Cormis Christi, Cambridge, and lecturer in music at Dur» ham University. OTHER FAMOUS ORGANISTS History records a number of instances of outstanding talent at the organ developing in early manhood. Sir John Stainer entered the choir of St. Paul's at the age of seven. Heremained there for nine years, and often took the organ, although he did not succeed Goss as organist until he was 32. In 1679 Henry Purcell was appointed organist of Westminster Abbey at the age of 21, while the infant prodigy Handel was assistant organist at Haile Cathedral, in Germany l when no more than 12, succeeding his master at the organ manual at the age of 17.