Christopher Dearnley
The late Christopher Dearnley established a worldwide reputation as an outstanding organist and leading church musician through many recordings and solo performances across a distinguished career.
The late Christopher Dearnley was patron of the Organ Historical Trust of Australia from 1991 to 2001. Born in England in 1930, his career began at Salisbury Cathedral, where he was organist from 1957 to 1968. For the next twenty-two years he served at St Paul’s Cathedral, London, and presided at the marriage of the Prince and Princess of Wales in 1981.
He had a special interest in English music of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries, and published two books on church music of that period. Through many recordings and solo performances he established a worldwide reputation as an outstanding organist and leading church musician.
His service to church music was recognised in 1987 when the Archbishop of Canterbury conferred on him the Lambeth degree of Doctor of Music. In 1990 the Queen appointed him a Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order.
On retirement in 1990, Christopher and his wife Bridget moved to Sydney and became Australian citizens in 1993. He maintained an extremely active musical life, serving as acting director of music at a number of Australian churches and cathedrals and giving recitals throughout the continent.
Christopher Dearnley is featured on the following titles
Historic Organs of the Barossa Valley, Vol. 2
Christopher Dearnley and John Stiller play seven historic Lutheran church organs of South Australia’s Barossa Valley in the second volume of this survey.
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Historic Organs of the Barossa Valley, Vol. 1
Christopher Dearnley and John Stiller give striking performances on six historic church organs of South Australia’s Barossa Valley. A 16-page booklet traces the instruments, their builders and the music.
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