Kevin Bowyer


Kevin John Bowyer is an English organist, known for his prolific recording and recital career and his performances of modern and extremely difficult compositions.

Biography

Bowyer was born on 9 January 1961 in Southend-on-Sea, England. He sang in a choir and learnt the piano accordion and organ as a child. When the church where he practised refused to let him carry on practising, he says: "I went and had a key cut to the church and I got in anyway." He attended Cecil Jones High School in Southend, and studied at the Royal Academy of Music from 1979 to 1982 with organists Christopher Bowers-Broadbent and Douglas Hawkridge, harpsichordist Virginia Black, and Paul Steinitz. After graduation, he studied for two years with David Sanger after winning a Countess of Munster scholarship. When given a list of music to prepare at his first meeting with Sanger, he didn't realise that it was a term's work and had learnt it all by the next week.
Aside from playing the organ, he reads modernist literature, especially James Joyce, Samuel Beckett and the Powys family.

Repertoire and performances

While a student, he performed the complete organ symphonies of Charles-Marie Widor, Louis Vierne and Marcel Dupré, and the complete organ music of Olivier Messiaen. He was able to do this because, he says, "When I was 21, I developed a technique that allowed me to learn a French organ symphony every month" and "always started at the end and then worked backwards." His debut recital was at the Royal Festival Hall in 1984.
He has won the following competitions:
He has performed and broadcast all over the world, and has released around ninety recordings, including all of Bach's organ music for the Nimbus recording label. His recital repertoire is enormous and ever expanding; in an article restricted to European 20th-century classical music for the organ, he mentions over 100 composers whose music he has played. Though he sees contemporary music as his vocation, he plays organ music from the Renaissance and Baroque periods onwards, and has shown an appreciation for the qualities of historical instruments in such music.
He is the only person to have played and recorded Kaikhosru Sorabji's First Organ Symphony in its entirety.
He was organist of the Parish of Warwick from 1989 until 1998; during this time, he taught around the country for the St Giles International Organ School. In 2005 he was appointed university organist at the University of Glasgow, while continuing his teaching career at the Royal Northern College of Music in Manchester and the Royal Scottish Academy of Music and Drama in Glasgow. New projects include the annual Glasgow International Organ Festival and Glasgow Pipeworks series of recitals of new music for organ.
On learning music, he says: "I practise bits and pieces of it over and over again until my fingers are moving faster than my brain, then I home in on what is difficult and link these with the easier passages, but the easier passages are still no less learned than the difficult ones. Sometimes it's necessary to practise for twelve to fourteen hours a day, during which you need to keep your mind alert." A particular example has been when he had to learn Niccolo Castiglioni's Sinfonia Guerriere et Amorose, 41 minutes of "nearly unplayable music. I set my mind to encompass it in an eight-day learning period, a frame-work the piece naturally slipped into."
Since 2008 he has been able, with the support of the Glasgow University Trust, to be engaged almost exclusively in preparing for performances of Sorabji's three organ symphonies, the difficulties of which he describes thus:
The lengths are also considerable: the Second Symphony alone is over an hour longer than Messiaen's complete organ music put together. The Second Symphony was premiered in 2010 and there were several postponements due to the difficulty of learning it. The Third Organ Symphony is expected to be premiered in 2022. Bowyer has also produced new typeset editions of Sorabji's three organ symphonies.

Recordings

Toccata and Fugue in D minor
Aus tiefer Not schrei ich zu dir
Concerto in G
Trio Sonata I in E flat
Pastorella in F
Ebarm dich mein, o Herre Gott
Fantasia and Fugue in G minor

Volume 2 (NI 5289)

Prelude and Fugue in G
Trio Sonata V in C
Ein feste Burg ist unser Gott
Fugue in G
Prelude and Fugue in A
Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her
In dulci jubilo
In dulci jubilo
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Prelude and Fugue in D

Volume 3 (NI 5290)

Prelude and Fugue in F minor
Trio Sonata II in C minor
Partite diverse sopra Sei gegrüßet, Jesu gütig
Concerto in D minor
Prelude and Fugue in A minor

Volume 4 (NI 5377)

Toccata in G minor
Fugue in B minor on a theme by Albinoni
Fugue in C minor
Eight "Short" Preludes and Fugues
Fantasia and Imitatio in B minor
Fugue in A on a theme by Albinoni
Toccata in G

Volume 5 (NI 5400)

Concerto in A minor
Prelude and Fugue in D minor
Herr Gott, dich loben wir
Fugue in G
Aria in F
Christ lag in Todesbanden
Jesus, meine Zuversicht
Christ ist erstanden
Toccata and Fugue in F

Volume 6 (NI 5423)

Toccata, Adagio and Fugue in C
Trio Sonata VI in G
Prelude and Fugue in E minor
Trio in G minor
Prelude and Fugue in G minor
Fantasia super Valet will ich dir geben
Valet will ich dir geben
Partita: Wenn wir in hochsten Noten sein
Toccata in E

Volume 7 (NI 5457/8)

Das Orgelbüchlein

Volume 8 (NI 5500/1)

Fugue in C minor on a theme by Legrenzi
Concerto in F
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend
Prelude and Fugue in B minor
Gott ist mein Heil, mein Hilf und Trost
Herzlich lieb hab ich dich, o Herr
Was Gott tut, das ist wohlgetan
Trio Sonata in G
Prelude and Fugue in C
Prelude and Fugue in C
An Wasserflüssen Babylon
Wir glauben all' an einen Gott
Wir glauben all' an einen Gott
Fantasia and Fugue in C minor
Six "Schübler" Chorale Preludes
Prelude and Fugue in A minor
Toccata and Fugue in D minor, "Dorian"

Volume 9 (NI 5561/2)

Clavierübung, part III
Concerto in G
Fugue in G minor
Passacaglia and Fugue in C minor

Volume 10 (NI 5573/4)

Eighteen "Leipzig" Chorale Preludes
Fugue in A
Wenn dich Unglück tut greifen an
Wie nach einer Wasserquelle
Ach Gott, tu dich erbarmen
Als Jesus Christus in der Nacht
Concerto in C

Volume 11 (NI 5606/7)

Toccata in C minor
Trio in B minor
Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten
Wer nur den lieben Gott läßt walten
Nun lob meine Seele den Herren
Wir glauben all an einen Gott
Fugue in B minor on a theme by Corelli
Das Jesulein soll doch mein Trost
Machs mit mire, Gott, nach deiner Güt
Herr Gott, nun schleuß den Himmel auf
Nun laßt uns den Leib begraben
Christus, der ist mein Leben
Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt
Alle Menschen müssen sterben
Prelude and Fugue in C
Christe, der du bist Tag und Licht
Werde munter, meine Gemüte
Nun ruhen alle Wälder
Toccata in E minor
Prelude and Fugue in E minor
Partita: Ach was ist doch unser leben
Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn
Meine Seele erheb't den Herren
Canonic Variations on Vom Himmel Hoch
Fantasia and Fugue in A minor
Trio in D minor
Prelude and Fugue in C minor

Volume 12 (NI 5647/8)

Fantasia in G major
Trio Sonata IV in E minor
Fantasia and Fugue in C major
Toccata in F sharp minor
Aria Variata in A minor
A Little Harmonic Labyrinth
Fuga chromatisch bearbeitet
Fugue in G minor
Allabreve in D
Fantasia in G major
Prelude and fugue in G
Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her
Vom Himmel hoch da komm ich her
Wir Christenleut
Wir Christenleut habn jetzund Freud
Capriccio in E
Fantasia and fugue in C minor
Partita super Allein Gott in der Höh sei Ehr
Trio Sonata III in D minor
Prelude and fugue in C

Volume 13 (NI 5669/70)

Partita: O Gott, du frommer Gott
Canzona in D minor
Ach Gott, und Herr
Ach Gott vom Himmel sieh darein
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend
O Vater, almächtiger Gott
Trio in C minor
Herr Jesu Christ, meines Lebens Licht
Prelude in A minor
Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt
Vater unser im Himmelreich
Durch Adams Fall ist ganz verderbt
Toccata in D minor
Wo soll ich fliehen hin
Christ, der du bist der helle Tag
Prelude and Fugue in A minor
Prelude in G
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
Nun freut euch, leiben Christen gmein
Lob sei dem allmächtigen Gott
Gottes Sohn ist kommen
Partita: Herr Christ, der einig Gottessohn
Concerto in D minor
Auf meinen lieben Gott
In dich hab ich gehoffet, Herr
Toccata in D major
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Jesu, meine Freude
Wie schön leuchtet der Morgenstern
Lobt Gott, ihr Christen, alle gleich
Christum wir sollen loben schon
Gelobet seist du, Jesu Christ
Jesu, meine Freude
Prelude and Fugue in A minor

Volume 14 (NI 5689/90)

Prelude and Fugue in C minor
Christ lag in Todesbanden
Fugue in G
Du Friedefürst, Herr Jesu Christ
O Herre Gott, dein göttlich's Wort
O Herre Gott, dein göttlich Wort
Fugue in D
Organ Chorales from the Rudorff Collection:
Herzlich tut mich verlangen, or
Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder
Herr Jesu Christ, wahr' Mensch und Gott
Herr Jesu Christ, wahr' Mensch und Gott
Es spricht der Unweisen Mund'
Der Tag der ist so freudenreich, or
Ein Kindelein so löbelich
Ach, was ist doch unser Leben
Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen
Trio in G
Gott der Vater wohn uns bei
Auf meinen lieben Gott
Christ lag in Todesbanden
Prelude and Fughetta in D minor
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend
Fantasia and Fugue in A minor
Concerto in C
Prelude and Fugue in E minor
Fantasia in G minor
Partita: Christ, der du bist der helle Tag
Fugue in C
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her
Allein Gott in der Höh sei Her
Six pieces from Anna Magdalena Bach Notebook:
Minuet in G
Minuet in G minor
Minuet in G
March in D
Musette in D
Minuet in D minor
Concerto in E flat
Ich hab mein Sach Gott heimgestellt
Partita: Aus der Tiefe rufe ich
Christus, der uns selig macht
Trio in D minor
Prelude and Fughetta in E minor
Ach Herr, mich armen Sünder, or
Herzlich tut mich verlangen
Concerto in G minor

Volume 15 (NI 5700/1)

Partita: Ach, was soll ich Sünder machen
Fantasia in C minor
Fugue in G minor on BACH
Trio in C minor
Ouverture in F
Jesu, der du meine Seele
Nun komm, der Heiden Heiland
Der Tag, der ist so freudenreich, or
Ein Kindelein so löbelich
Fantasie über ein Rondo in C minor
Fugue in D
O Lamm Gottes, unschuldig
Ich hab mein sach Gott heimgestellt
Herzlich tut mich verlangen
Fugue in C
Fugue in C minor on a theme by Legrenzi
Herr Jesu Christ, dich zu uns wend
Prelude, Trio and Fugue in B flat
Fughetta in C minor
Erhalt uns, Herr, bei deinem Wort
Allein zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ
O Jesu, wie ist dein Gestalt
Herr Jesu Christ, du höchstes Gut
Sonata in D
Vater unser im Himmelreich
Fantasia on Komm, Heiliger Geist
Komm, Gott Schöpfer, Heiliger Geist
Liebster Jesu, wir sind hier
Concerto in G
Gott, durch deine Güte, or Gottes Sohn ist kommen
Nun freut euch, lieben Christen gmein
Rinck Preludes :
1. Ich ruf zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ – Aria
2. Komm heiliger Geist, erfüll die Herzen
3. Auf meinen lieben Gott – Arioso
4. Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn
5. Herr Christ, der einig Gottes Sohn – Aria
Fugue in A minor
Wir glauben all an einen Gott

Prelude in C
Fugue in E minor
Ehre sei dir, Christe, der du leidest Not
Herzliebster Jesu, was hast du verbrochen
Jesu, meines Lebens Leben
O Lamm Gottes unschuldig
Das alte Jahr vergangen ist

Volume 16 (NI 5734/5)

Concerto in D
Wer nur den lieben Gott lässt walten
Prelude and Fugue in C
Prelude in A
Ich ruf' zu dir, Herr Jesu Christ
An Wasserflüssen Babylon
Passacaglia in D minor
Fugue in C minor on a theme by Legrenzi
Vater unser im Himmelreich
Allein Gott in der Höh sei her
Ich hab mein Sach Gott Heimgestellt
Fugue in D minor
Ach Gott und Herr
Ach Gott und Herr
Schmücke dich, o liebe Seele
Vater unser im Himmelreich
Vater unser im Himmelreich
Fantasia and Fugue in D minor
Fugue in E minor
Concerto in C
Prelude in A minor
Prelude and Fugue in G minor
Valet will ich dir geben
Christ lag in Todesbanden
Pedalexercitium
Fantasia in C
Jesu, meine Freude
Wie schön leucht uns der Morgenstern
O Trauerichkeit, o Herzeleid
Jesu Leiden, Pein und Tod
18 Clock Pieces
Fugue in B flat on BACH
Toccata in A major
Drei Ciacone
Prelude and Fugue in B flat on BACH
Prelude and Fugue in E flat

Volume 17 (NI 5738/40)

Ricercare in 6 voices
Prelude and Fughetta in F
Fugue in B flat
Prelude and Fughetta in G
Fugue in D minor
Fugue in A minor
Praeludium et Partita del tuono terzo
Fugue in B flat
Fugue in E minor
Fantasia in C minor
Prelude in G
Fantasia and Fugue in A minor
Fantasia in A minor
Capriccio in B flat sopra la lontananza
del fratello dilettissimo
Ricercare in 3 voices from The Musical Offering
Ricercare in 6 voices
Die Kunst der Fuge Wenn wir in höchsten Nöten sein