Douglas Lawrence

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Raymond Douglas Lawrence AM (born 1943) is an Australian organist who is director of music at the Scots' Church, Melbourne and Teacher of the Organ at the University of Melbourne.

In 1969 Lawrence completed his master's degree in music at the University of Melbourne. [1] He then studied for two years at the Academy of Fine Arts Vienna (Vienna Musikhochschule) between 1969 and 1971, under the tutelage of renowned Austrian organist Anton Heiller. [2]

He founded and directs the Australian Baroque Ensemble and the Australian Chamber Choir. [3] [4] He also founded the Choir of Ormond College. In 1992 he was awarded a Medal of the Order of Australia for services to music. [5] [6] In the 2020 Australia Day Honours Lawrence was appointed a Member of the Order of Australia for "significant service to the performing arts, particularly to chamber choirs". [7]

He frequently performs as a soloist for major music organisations within Australia and his concert career has taken him throughout most of the world. [8] Amongst several inaugurals, Lawrence played the first concert (1979) on the organ of the Sydney Opera House [9] and Melba Hall at the University of Melbourne and gave the first solo recital on the organ in the Melbourne Concert Hall. [1] [2]

Lawrence has released a number of recordings including The Best of Pachelbel, Buxtehude, A Baroque Collection and Reverberations 1 and Reverberations 2. [10] [11] [12] [13]

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References

  1. 1 2 "Douglas Lawrence [Organ & Choir Director]". Divine Art Recordings Group. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  2. 1 2 Stove, R.J. (June 2013). "O Pioneer: An Interview with Douglas Lawrence" (PDF). Organ Australia. pp. 11–14. Retrieved 24 June 2014.[ permanent dead link ]
  3. ↑ Zwartz, Bernie (19 April 2012). "All the Classics, Bach to Bach". The Age . Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  4. ↑ "Choir Master pulls out all Stops". The Age . Fairfax Media Publications Pty Limited. 11 December 2013. p. 27. ISSN   0312-6307.
  5. ↑ "It's an Honour". Australian Honours. Australian Government. Retrieved 20 September 2012.
  6. ↑ "Queen's Birthday Honours Order of Australia". Canberra Times . ACT: National Library of Australia. 8 June 1992. p. 4. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  7. ↑ "Douglas Lawrence OAM". honours.pmc.gov.au. Archived from the original on 26 January 2020. Retrieved 26 January 2020.
  8. ↑ Lozynski, Anna (29 May 2010). "Douglas Lawrence". Australian Stage Online. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  9. ↑ Shanahan, Denis (6 June 1979). "Sydney's Giant Organ Complete at Last". Sydney Morning Herald . Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  10. ↑ "Reverberations / Douglas Lawrence". Australian Music Centre. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  11. ↑ "Evoking a certain spirit". Canberra Times . ACT: National Library of Australia. 6 June 1994. p. 32. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  12. ↑ "Canberra Living Records Excellent Carols". Canberra Times . ACT: National Library of Australia. 6 December 1982. p. 12. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
  13. ↑ Hoffmann, W.L. (12 January 1979). "Classical". Canberra Times . National Library of Australia. p. 7 Section: TV Radio Guide. Retrieved 24 June 2014.
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