Born: New Zealand

The New Zealand-born organist, John Wells, was Organ Scholar at King's College Chapel, Cambridge and received his Doctorate high distinction from Indiana University.

John Wells is one of New Zealand 's most respected and widely-travelled organists. He maintains a busy schedule as performer, composer and teacher. He is a regular broadcaster on New Zealand radio and has made seven CDs. He is Visiting Artist-Teacher (Organ) at the Auckland University School of Music, University Organist and Auckland City Organist. He has a long association with choral music including a time as Deputy Conductor of the NZ National Youth Choir. He recorded the first New Zealand organ CD in 1989; he has recorded Bach's Well-Tempered Clavier on the organ.

Recent compositions include his Fifth Organ Suite, a festive anthem for Nelson Cathedral's 2005 commemmoration of Trafalgar Day and the Well-Tempered Piano, thirty preludes and fugues in all the keys (which Bach did not achieve). His Organ Concerto was performed last February in Melbourne Town Hall. In June 2002 he was elected Fellow of the New Zealand Association of Organists for his services to organ music in New Zealand.

Source: John Wells Website
Contributed by Aryeh Oron (December 2006)

John Wells: Short Biography | Recordings of Non-Vocal Works

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John Wells: concert organist and composer (Official Website)

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