Francis John Roy Grier (born 29 July 1955 in

Kota Kinabalu , image_skyline = , image_caption = From top, left to right, bottom:Kota Kinabalu skyline, Wawasan intersection, Tun Mustapha Tower, Kota Kinabalu Coastal Highway, the Kota Kinabalu City Mosque, the Wism ...

Malaysia Malaysia ( ; ) is a country in Southeast Asia. The federation, federal constitutional monarchy consists of States and federal territories of Malaysia, thirteen states and three federal territories, separated by the South China Sea into two r ...

) is an English choral and vocal classical composer and

psychoanalyst PsychoanalysisFrom Greek language, Greek: + . is a set of Theory, theories and Therapy, therapeutic techniques"What is psychoanalysis? Of course, one is supposed to answer that it is many things — a theory, a research method, a therapy, a bo ...

. He was a chorister at

St George's Chapel, Windsor Castle St George's Chapel at Windsor Castle in England is a castle chapel built in the late-medieval Perpendicular Gothic style. It is both a Royal Peculiar (a church under the direct jurisdiction of the monarch) and the Chapel of the Order of the Gar ...

, music scholar at

Eton College Eton College () is a public school in Eton, Berkshire, England. It was founded in 1440 by Henry VI under the name ''Kynge's College of Our Ladye of Eton besyde Windesore'',Nevill, p. 3 ff. intended as a sister institution to King's College, C ...

, and

organ scholar An organ scholar is a young musician employed as a part-time assistant organist at a cathedral, church or institution where regular choral services are held. The idea of an organ scholarship is to provide the holder with playing, directing and adm ...

King's College, Cambridge King's College is a constituent college of the University of Cambridge. Formally The King's College of Our Lady and Saint Nicholas in Cambridge, the college lies beside the River Cam and faces out onto King's Parade in the centre of the city ...

, then Assistant Organist and then Organist (1981-5) of

Christ Church Cathedral, Oxford Christ Church Cathedral is the cathedral of the Anglican diocese of Oxford, which consists of the counties of Oxfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire. It is also the chapel of Christ Church, a college of the University of Oxford. This dual r ...

. He made many recordings and broadcasts as organist and choir director, including playing ''

La Nativité du Seigneur ''La Nativité du Seigneur'' (''The Nativity of the Lord'' or ''The Birth of the Saviour'') is a work for organ, written by the French composer Olivier Messiaen in 1935. ''La Nativité du Seigneur'' is a testament to Messiaen's Christian faith, ...

'' by

Olivier Messiaen Olivier Eugène Prosper Charles Messiaen (, ; ; 10 December 1908 – 27 April 1992) was a French composer, organist, and ornithologist who was one of the major composers of the 20th century. His music is rhythmically complex; harmonically ...

at the first ever Prom concert given over to a solo performer. As chamber music pianist he has been playing with the soprano Dorothee Jansen in the Jansen-Grier-Duo since their inaugural recital in summer 2000. As a composer he has written much for the Anglican choral tradition and several large-scale works. He has also written many instrumental pieces. His latest work, ''The Passion'', for chorus, soloists and orchestra, received its premiere in March 2006 in Minneapolis by the VocalEssence Ensemble Singers, directed by Philip Brunelle. The work received its UK premiere the following month in Cambridge by the

BBC Singers The BBC Singers are a British chamber choir, and the professional chamber choir of the BBC. One of the six BBC Performing Groups, the BBC Singers are based at the BBC's Maida Vale Studios in London. The only full-time professional British c ...

. He also accompanies his children, violinist Savitri Grier (16) and cellist Indira Grier (14). Francis Grier is also a psychoanalyst who maintains a private practice and is a visiting researcher at the Tavistock Marital Studies Institute.

References

External links

Francis Grier (Choral Conductor, Organ)
{{DEFAULTSORT:Grier, Francis 1955 births People from Kota Kinabalu 20th-century classical composers 21st-century classical composers Alumni of King's College, Cambridge British classical composers British male classical composers British psychoanalysts Cathedral organists English classical organists British male organists Living people People educated at Eton College People educated at St George's School, Windsor Castle 20th-century English composers 21st-century organists 20th-century British male musicians 21st-century British male musicians Organ Scholars of King's College, Cambridge Male classical organists