John Gardner's compositional style was characterized by his love for counterpoint and jazz, stating, 'The two things I like most in music are counterpoint and jazz'.
Composer Biography
John Gardner's father, an army surgeon, was killed in World War I, leading to John's education being supported by an army charity.
Composition History
John Gardner's Symphony No. 1 in D minor, Op. 2, premiered by John Barbirolli and the Hallé Orchestra, was his first major success and established him as a composer.
Compositional Technique
John Gardner decided in 1947 to re-number his works, creating a 'new series' for his mature compositions, with earlier pieces designated 'Old Series'.
Performer Biography
Catherine Ennis, the dedicatee of several of John Gardner's organ works, was a trailblazing organist and one of the first female organists to hold a cathedral position.
Instruments
The organ at Christchurch Priory, completed in 1999 by Nicholson & Co., incorporates historic pipework from a previous Father Willis organ and an 18th-century organ.
Composer Biography
John Gardner's mother, Muriel, actively steered him away from a medical career towards music, despite marrying into a medical family.
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