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The New Zealander organist, choral conductor, sound engineer, producer, recitalist and teacher, Richard Apperley, obtained his Bachelor of Muic degree in Performance organ from Victoria University of Wellington (2001-2003).
Richard Apperley is as passionate about performing and capturing performances in recordings as he is about fostering a love of the organ in younger generations of performers. He plays regularly with New Zealand’s leading choirs, orchestras and festivals, including the Adam Chamber Music Festival, The Tudor Concert and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra. His particular interests lie in the organ music of Dietrich Buxtehude, Herbert Howells and New Zealand composers, and in contemporary works.
As Assistant Director of Music at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul (since October 2007), Richard Apperley accompanies services and assists with the direction of the cathedral’s choirs. Richard formerly held the post of Assistant Organist at Lincoln Cathedral (September 2005-October 2007). Building on his keen interest in Anglican psalmody, he has led the publication of new psalters for both cathedrals. He is also the Events Manager at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, where he is responsible for managing large events and concerts.
Alongside his work at the cathedral, Richard Apperley was Musical Director of Cantoris (2011-2012), a Wellington based chamber choir. The choir explores a diverse range of music - concerts in 2012 will range from medieval Christmas music through to Will Todd's astounding Mass in Blue. He is also Musical Director for the St Paul's Lutheran Church, Wellington: Bach Cantata Vespers, Newtown, where he leads Ensemble Abendmusik in performances of Baroque Lutheran cantatas in a liturgical setting.
In 2015 Richard Apperley, along with Michael Stewart, is presenting the complete organ works of J.S. Bach through 28 recitals - a total of 327 works, totalling approximately 21 and a half hours of music. In 2016 he performs the complete organ works of Dietrich Buxtehude, one of his favourite composers, over 10 recitals.
Richard Apperley is also keenly interested in New Zealand organ music, having compiled and edited two volumes of New Zealand choral works, published by Fagus Music (UK). He has given many recitals of the repertoire, recorded a concert for broadcast by Radio New Zealand Concert and recently released a CD of New Zealand music.
Alongside his cathedral work, Richard Apperley is also co-director and engineer for his audio production company, Hadfield Audio - a specialist location recording company with a focus on choral and organ music. Richard’s recordings are usually released on his organism label, which he founded in 2010 to allow independent artists to record and release recordings with minimal costs and absolute control over the finished product. |
