Peter Richard Conte, CONCERT ORGANIST
Monday, October 10, 2016 7:30 PM
Christ Cathedral Arboretum, Garden Grove CA
Hear famed Wanamaker Grand Court Organist, Peter Conte in concert on the 82-rank Aeolian Skinner Organ of Christ Cathedral Arboretium on the Christ Cathedral (former Crystal Cathedral) campus.
This program is in conjunction with the Orange County Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.
There is also a free Workshop at 3:30 PM that afternoon in the Arboretum given by Mr. Conte for the AGO. All are welcome.
Peter Richard Conte is celebrating his 25th year as Wanamaker Grand Court Organist. He is only the fourth person to hold that title since the organ first played in 1911. He performs concerts twice daily, six days each week, on the largest fully-functioning musical instrument in the world. Mr. Conte is also Principal Organist of Longwood Gardens, Kennett Square, PA, and, since 1991, has served as Choirmaster and Organist of Saint Clement’s Church, Philadelphia, where he directs a professional choir in an extensive music program catering to the Anglo-Catholic tradition.
Mr. Conte is highly regarded as a skillful performer and arranger of organ transcriptions. He has been featured several times on National Public Radio and on ABC television's "Good Morning America" and “World News Tonight.” He has two radio shows: “The Wanamaker Organ Hour”, which airs on the first Sunday of each month, at 5 PM (Eastern), and can be heard via the internet at WRTI.ORG; on each Wednesday evening at 7 PM, his Grand Court concert is streamed live on YesterdayUSA.com. Mr. Conte performs extensively throughout the United States and Canada under the management of Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists, and has appeared as a featured artist at American Guild of Organists’ National and Regional Conventions. He has performed with the Philadelphia Orchestra, Peter Nero and the Philly Pops, and with numerous orchestras around the country.
Peter Richard Conte is an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Organ at Rider University's Westminster Choir College, Princeton, NJ, where he teaches Organ Improvisation. He is the 2008 recipient of the Distinguished Alumni Award from the Indiana University School of Music, Bloomington. The Philadelphia Music Alliance awarded him a Bronze Plaque on the Avenue of the Arts in 2011. His numerous recordings appear on the GOTHIC, JAV, ProOrgano, DORIAN and DTR labels.
"Humor and grace. It was a brilliant and virtuoso performance...stunning throughout...beautiful playing." (The Diapason)
"I wanted you to know how wonderful Peter's concert was--it was absolutely incredible. People are still calling and emailing to thank me for bringing him back to Atlanta." (Jeffrey Bush, Immaculate Heart of Mary Church, Atlanta, presenter 2009)
"A serious, exceedingly skillful classical musician who knows how to balance high culture and popular populist selections, and who has a highly developed sense of fun....one of America's most experienced performers....produces expressive effects that defy the commoner's understanding of the pipe organ. Breathtaking." (The Diapason)
"It was splendid entertainment."(Tahoe Daily Tribune, Reno NV)
"Music making of the highest order...rich in nuance and virtuosity...Bravo Peter Richard Conte!"(The American Organist)
"Conte is a performer in the best tradition: flawless technique combined with showmanship with just enough restraint...great fun to hear."(AAM Journal)
"Peter Conte has the feeling for this music and the technique to bring it off splendidly....right on the mark...perfectly paced and styled." (Crescendo)
