Born in 1978, Clive was awarded the Sheila Mossman Memorial Prize by the Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music before winning a Music Scholarship to Eton College in 1990. From 1992 to 1994, he played the bassoon in the National Youth Orchestra of Great Britain and in the National Youth Chamber Orchestra. After a year as Organ Scholar at Winchester Cathedral and Assistant Organist at Winchester College, he went up to Christ Church, Oxford University, as the Christopher Tatton Organ Scholar. While at Christ Church, he was awarded the ARCM (Associate of the Royal College of Music) diploma in Piano Performance and the FRCO (Fellow of the Royal College of Organists) diploma with the Limpus, Shinn and Durrant Prizes and the Worshipful Company of Musicians' Silver Medal. He graduated with a First Class Honours degree in Music in 1999 and with the MPhil in 2001.

A pupil of David Sanger and Hans Fagius, Clive was awarded a Travelling Scholarship by the Royal College of Organists in 1999 and the W. T. Best Scholarship by the Worshipful Company of Musicians in 2002. Both of these have funded further study on the Continent with Dr Harald Vogel, Marie-Claire Alain, Luigi Tagliavini and Guy Bovet.

Winner of the Royal College of Organists' Performer of the Year Competition in 2000 and the Calgary International Organ Competition in 2002, Clive has performed in the UK, France, Belgium, Germany, Italy, Denmark, Finland, South Africa, Hong Kong, Korea, Japan, Canada, the USA, South America, Australia and New Zealand. In North America, he is represented by Phillip Truckenbrod Concert Artists Agency.

Clive's vast repertoire spans six centuries and includes the complete works of Olivier Messiaen. His performances have been broadcast on national radio in Australia, Finland, Sweden and the USA as well as national television in Japan and the UK, and he broadcasts regularly on BBC Radio 3. His first solo CD was recently released on the Priory label ("formidable technique ... beautifully articulated lines ... colourful registrations" Sydney Organ Journal).

Clive is currently Sub-Organist at Christ Church Cathedral in Oxford, where he accompanies the choir under the direction of Stephen Darlington and has played for several recordings, broadcasts and tours.

Last year, Clive performed in the Mixtures series at Westminster Abbey and at Birmingham's Symphony Hall; earlier this year, he performed the inaugural recital on the new organ at Scotch College in Melbourne; next year he has been invited to perform at the American Guild of Organists' regional convention in Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Reviews

"His organ playing is compelling and brilliant. He has extraordinary natural musicality combined with a fabulous keyboard technique....an outstanding performer."

Stephen Darlington, Director of Music, Christ Church, Oxford
 

The best organist of his generationóhighly musical, imaginative, and staggeringly virtuosic. He has an incredible ability to bring a piece alive...This is a rare talent."

Ralph Allwood, Eton College
 

"Driskill-Smith has always displayed a prodigious talent at the organ. Now heís proving to his public that he can communicate its noble repertoire in an arresting, versatile, and colourful way, with a rare sense of utter good taste."

David Sanger, noted English organ professor
 

"One of the most talented organists of his generation. His technique is dazzling and his musicianship exemplary. He approaches the literature with an understanding and maturity well beyond his years. In short, he is outstandingly gifted."

David Hill, Music Director, Winchester Cathedral
 

"It is a privilege to witness a rising star, as he is clearly destined to become."

Rochdale Observer, England
 

"Driskill-Smith was worth making noises about....Performers this good, and programs this interesting, might inspire new passions in ardent concertgoers."

Pioneer Press, St. Paul MN

Contact details and further information

E-mail Clive Driskill-Smith

For further details, see Clive Driskill-Smith's website