David Rumsey (organist)

For those of a similar name, see David Rumsey (disambiguation).

David Edward Rumsey (30 March 1939 – 12 February 2017) was an Australian-born organist and composer.

David Rumsey
Born	David Rumsey (1939-03-30)30 March 1939 Sydney
Died	12 February 2017(2017-02-12) (aged 77) Basel, Switzerland
Education	Newington College Sydney Conservatorium of Music
Occupation	Organist

He was born in Sydney, attended Newington College,^[1] and studied organ with Norman Johnston at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music, where he would later also teach.

Graduating in 1963, he moved to Europe to study with Marie-Claire Alain in Paris, and then with Anton Heiller in Vienna.

In 1966 he returned to Australia together with fellow Heiller student, Christa Brosch – they married and had two daughters, Stella and Marie. In 1968 he was artistic director of the first Adelaide organ festival. ^[2]

He married Elizabeth Jones in 1998 and they moved together to Basel, Switzerland, in 2000. Rumsey died in Basel in 2017, aged 77.^[3][4][5]

References

1. Alumni News Retrieved 2 February 2019.
2. 'A strange madness': Organ festivals in Australia 1968–1973
3. David Rumsey, organ pioneer, dies aged 77, The Sydney Morning Herald Retrieved 4 August 2017.
4. Teacher David Rumsey produced roll call of musical leaders, The Australian Retrieved 4 August 2017.
5. David Rumsey: The Virtuoso as Educator Retrieved 4 August 2017.