18 Facts About Richard Purvis

Richard Purvis was an American organist, composer, conductor and teacher.

Richard Purvis was best known for his expressive recordings of the organ classics and his own lighter compositions for the instrument.

Richard Purvis was born in San Francisco on August 25,1913.

Richard Purvis began playing the organ publicly at the age of 14 in churches and in the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco.

Richard Purvis was initially taught organ by Alexander McCurdy and conducting by Fritz Reiner.

Richard Purvis was assigned to the Army War Show, playing the Hammond organ in the chaplain's exhibit.

Richard Purvis was able to find time to compose while in the military.

Richard Purvis's famous setting of "Greensleeves" and his "Seven Choral Preludes" were composed in a foxhole under enemy fire.

Richard Purvis was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and held as a prisoner of war at Stalag 13B in Hammelburg, Bavaria.

Richard Purvis was freed by advancing American forces after six months.

When Richard Purvis was released he was unable to even play a chord and he required months of physical therapy at the Army Rehabilitation Center in Santa Barbara, California before he could resume his career.

Richard Purvis played the dedication recital for the new instrument on May 6,1947.

Richard Purvis developed a distinctive 'Richard Purvis sound' which was a result of the voicing of the organ and the regulation of tremulants, which he insisted be set full on in a style similar to theatre organs.

From 1947 through 1971, Richard Purvis held the position of Organist and Master of Choristers at Grace Cathedral, where he helped to form a cathedral school for boys, ensuring the continuation of the all-male choir tradition.

Richard Purvis was organist at the California Palace of the Legion of Honor.

Richard Purvis died on December 25,1994, at the age of 81.

Richard Purvis left a legacy of over 200 works and an uncounted number of choristers, students and listeners.

Richard Purvis was admired as one of the finest organ improvisateurs in the US In an era when romantic music was out of favor with most composers, and atonal, serial music was considered the hallmark of serious composition, he was not afraid to write tuneful, accessible, richly colored, and even whimsical compositions that possessed commercial viability.