James McVinnie

James McVinnie

James McVinnie is an English organist. He was born in and lives in Kent, UK. McVinnie was Assistant Organist at Westminster Abbey between 2008-2011. He has played at many important state occasions which have been broadcast on TV around the globe including the state visit of HH Pope Benedict XVI, the Passing of the World War I Generation, the 70th anniversary of the Battle of Britain and the recent Royal Wedding.

McVinnie has featured on many recordings, including performances with The King's Consort, The Cardinall's Musick, The Choir of Clare College Cambridge, The National Youth Choir of Great Britain and the St Albans Abbey Girls Choir. In October 2006 he recorded his first solo disc of S. S. Wesley's organ music on the 1873 Fr Willis organ of St Michael's, Tenbury.

In 2009 McVinnie made his solo debut at the Salzburg Festival with the Freiburg Baroque Orchestra. This was conducted by Ivor Bolton, performing Handel's Op 7 no 5 organ concerto during a production of Handel's Theodora, which was staged by Christof Loy.

McVinnie regularly collaborates with musicians around the world; including composer Nico Muhly, violist Nadia Sirota, composer/producer Valgeir Sigurðsson, Sufjan Stevens, Sam Amidon and Beth Orton. In March 2014 he will perform one of the opening recitals on the restored organ of the Royal Festival Hall, performing works by J. S. Bach and a newly commissioned work by composer Martin Creed. Many composers have written works for him, including: Nico Muhly, Graham Ross, Robert Walker, Richard Reed Parry (Arcade Fire), Shara Worden (of My Brightest Diamond), and David Lang (winner of the 2008 Pulitzer Prize in music)

McVinnie released his debut album, "Cycles" in 2013, on the Bedroom Community label which is based in Reykjavik, Iceland.

Discography

• Cycles (2013)--Bedroom Community