Death of leading US organist, 78

Death of leading US organist, 78

RIP

norman lebrecht

March 29, 2023

The death was reported today of the distinguished American organist and composer Daniel Chorzempa.

He had a richly varied career as a member of Stockhausen’s electronic studio in Cologne, a conducting assistant at the Salzburg Festival and as a widely recorded winner of the Leipzig Bach Prize. He was also a practising architect.

Comments

  • Simon Dearsley says:

    His box set of Bach’s Trio Sonatas changed my life in the early seventies. I wore through the records and had to replace them. He was a remarkable musician and stunning performer.

  • Franz says:

    He was of Polish and Alsatian descent, and he won the Edison Prize and the Grand Prix du Disque.

  • Miv Tucker says:

    I’ve got some of his brilliant recordings of Widor’s organ symphonies.
    He’ll be much missed. RIP.

  • J Barcelo says:

    I didn’t know he was not that old – my introduction to the Widor 5th Organ Symphony was his recording. RIP.

  • Martin Danvers says:

    All of the above. For me it was his boxed set of the Handel organ concerti. Stylish, inventive and wholly satisfying performances on an exquisite Dutch instrument.

    I once heard him live in London (Christ the King, Bloomsbury) in the early 70s before his recording career took off. He seemed just as comfortable and convincing with Liszt.

  • Gavin Mist says:

    I have that Handel box set too and love it. Also the wonderful set of Haydn (M & J) organ concerti played on the instruments at Eisenstadt. RIP

  • Rolf Schulte says:

    He came up at the same time in Germany as I — in fact, we were both soloists with the RSO in Berlin in 1973 or 74…
    Great organist !

  • Michael Drewes says:

    The picture shows him at the organ of Zwolle, the Netherlands, which I had seen and tried out myself in 1978.

  • Cormac Ó Cuilleanáin says:

    A wonderfully gifted and intelligent musician, and a charming person.

  • Aubrey Hepburn says:

    I had an LP of him playing some Beethoven piano sonatas and loved his performance of the Appassionata. What a talented man.

  • trumpetherald says:

    Just by chance bought his Philips CD of two Widor Symphonies yesterday in an Oxfam shop .Fantastic!!!!!!!!

  • CJ says:

    R.I.P.
    In the eighties, I fell in love with his Handel organ concerti, I couldn’t stop listening to them (a neighbour even came to ask me what it was) and his interpretation really started my love for baroque music.
    Why don’t we write that to the musicians when they are alive? I felt the same with Julian Bream.

  • Brian says:

    What’s even sadder is that according to an article in La Nazione (Addio a Chorzempa. Il grandissimo artista se n’è andato da solo. E nessuno lo cerca), his body lies unclaimed in a refrigerated drawer at the Cappelle del Commiato in Florence, where he died. Apparently, they have been unsuccessful in locating family or friend who will claim the body.

    • CJ says:

      Thank you Brian, I’ve read the article, this is really heartbreaking.
      Such a gifted musician and interesting person!

    • DON POWELL says:

      Brian; will you please tell me where I can read the article. I went to elementary school with ‘Danny’. I would like to assist with bringing him back to Minneapolis. You can reach me at donpowell818@gmail.com.
      Thank you!!
      don powell

  • David Boswell says:

    Always loved his two Philips LPs of Liszt organ music, and why are these recordings not on CD? (Aside from the Weinen, Klagen Variations used as a filler on a Bach SACD.)

  • David Boswell says:

    Has Mr. Chorzempa’s body yet been claimed?

  • DON POWELL says:

    I just read about Daniel’s death and the dilemma regarding his body. I went to elementary school with Daniel. I would like to assist in bringing his body back home to Minneapolis. He was a brilliant student and an incredible musician.
    don powell

  • MOST READ TODAY: