Preston, Simon (John)
Preston, Simon (John)
Preston, Simon (John) , distinguished English organist, harpsichordist, conductor, and pedagogue; b. Bournemouth, Aug. 4, 1938. He was a chorister at King’s Coll., Cambridge (1949–51), where he received instruction in organ from Hugh McLean. After further keyboard training from Anthony Brown at Canford School, he continued his studies with C.H. Trevor at the Royal Academy of Music in London (1956–58), and subsequently was an organ scholar at King’s Coll., Cambridge (1958–62). He made his formal debut as an organist at the Royal Festival Hall in London in 1962, and from 1962 to 1967 was sub-organist at Westminster Abbey. After conducting the Oxford Bach Choir (1967–68), he was organist and lecturer at Christ Church, Oxford (1970–81); then was organist and master of the choristers at Westminster Abbey (1981–87). He toured widely as an organ virtuoso and gave master classes on both sides of the Atlantic, and also conducted much choral music. His repertoire ranges from Handel to Messiaen.
—Nicolas Slonimsky/Laura Kuhn/Dennis McIntire