Murray Forbes Somerville

Composers

Biography

Born: London, England  
This noted organist, choral and orchestral conductor, and musical scholar was born in London and raised in Rhodesia. He received his basic education in Munich and then entered Oxford University, where he was an organ scholar at New College. Moving to the States, he studied at the Union Theological Seminary in New York City and continued his musical training at the New England Conservatory. His doctoral dissertation was on the organ music of Read more nineteenth-century American composer John Knowles Paine, who, like Somerville, served at Harvard University as organist and choir master.

He then directed the choir at the St. James Church in West Hartford, CT, and went on to direct the choir at the Cathedral of St. Luke in Orlando, FL. There he served as music director of the Bach Festival at Rollins College in Winter Park, FL, and founded the Orlando Deanery Boychoir. He was also chorus master to the Florida Symphony Orchestra and worked with the Orlando Opera Company.

In 1987, Somerville was named an associate of the Royal School of Church Music in Britain in honor of his work as a church and Cathedral musician. In 1990, he became Harvard's sixth university organist and choirmaster. Since then, he continues to perform organ recitals across three continents. He conducts major symphony orchestras and serves as guest choral conductor, as well as leading workshops. Read less
Browse 1-3 of 3 Available Recordings
  • 1.
    Rorem: Works For Choir And Organ / Harvard University Choir
    Rorem: Works For Choir And Organ / Harvard University Choir
    Label: Black Box   Catalog: 1102 Release Date: 03/21/2006   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Ned Rorem
    Performer:  Robert August,  Jung-A Lee,  Carson P. Cooman,  John McMunn  ... 
    Conductor:  Murray Forbes Somerville
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Harvard University Choir,  Appleton Wind Ensemble,  Brattle Street Chamber Players
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  • 2.
    Music Of Antonio Lotti / Somerville, Harvard Choir, Et Al
    Music Of Antonio Lotti / Somerville, Harvard Choir, Et Al
    Label: Centaur Records   Catalog: 2376 Release Date: 11/01/1998   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Antonio Lotti
    Performer:  Salley Koo,  Daniel Kim,  Anna Ackerberg,  Nancy Granert
    Conductor:  Murray Forbes Somerville,  Nancy Granert
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Harvard Baroque Chamber Orchestra,  Harvard University Choir,  Harvard University Morning Choir
    CD: $17.99
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  • 3.
    Carols From The Yard / Somerville, Harvard University Choir
    Carols From The Yard / Somerville, Harvard University Choir
    Label: Gothic Records   Catalog: 49075 Release Date: 10/17/1995   Number of Discs: 1
    Composer:  Michael Praetorius,  Mateo Flecha,  John Cook,  William Byrd  ... 
    Performer:  Christopher Thorpe,  Daniel Gallisá,  Murray Forbes Somerville,  Nancy Granert  ... 
    Conductor:  Murray Forbes Somerville
    Orchestra/Ensemble:  Harvard University Choir,  Harvard Bach Society Orchestra
    CD: $17.99
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