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David Sanger
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I am so sad, I did not really know him, except though FaceBook, but when he was playing a recital in York Minster last year, I asked him if I could record it, "no problem, but can I have a copy for myself" he said. Thank you David, I will treasure that recording
ReplyDeleteDavid was an remarkably gifted teacher and a performer of outstanding talent. Above all, he was an loyal and dear friend for very nearly 40 years: I will miss him profoundly.
ReplyDeleteThanks for all the great times, David. Such a kind, thoughtful, generous and reliable friend.
ReplyDeleteAs a post graduate student on a Danish scholarship, I studied with David for 3 years. He was a remarkable teacher and went to great length to support me in so many ways. I visited him in his Lake District Chapel and was taken for one of the most memorable walks/climbs of my life, equipped with ice axes etc .Before my Debut Concert in Copenhagen he went there himself to ensure that the registrations I used were the best possible. The tragedy which has befallen him will never overshadow his dedication ,commitment and musicianship. The David we knew will not be forgotten.
ReplyDeleteEllen Myrup
To all of you who mourn for David Sanger: feel free to memorize what he meant to you while watching and listening to this small organ piece dedicated to the memory of David:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RirTngYgqiw
Requiescat in pace.
I have known David since 1972. The generous tributes on this page and elswhere testify to a generous and warm human being, a fact of which I can confirm. His death comes as a profund shock to those of us who admired him both as a great human being and a prodigiously talented musician. As an amateur organist I owe him a debt of gratitude for his encouragement and friendship. I have a sadness too deep for tears.
ReplyDeleteI really am profoundly sad to hear of this. I still can't believe it. It came as a complete shock to me, not least because I only saw David in March and he seemed fit as a fiddle. He was a great teacher and musician and I was fond of him. I always enjoyed my lessons. We shall all miss David immensely.
ReplyDeleteI offer my deepest condolences to David's family. A smashing musician and friend.
ReplyDeleteSuch sad news. I am so very sorry.
ReplyDeleteA great loss
ReplyDeleteYou were an inspiration to so many. RIP
ReplyDeleteRequiescat in pace
ReplyDeleteI cannot express my grief. Your students love and respect you, and we are all so extraordinarily grateful to you for everything you've done for us - none of us would be where we are were it not for you. May light perpetual shine upon you, my dear, dear friend and mentor.
ReplyDeleteOn and on the rain will fall
ReplyDeleteLike tears from a star
On and on the rain will say
How fragile we are
I am so sorry to hear the dreadfully sad news about someone I've known, admired and respected for many, many years. My condolences to David's family for their loss; a great loss also for the organ fraternity and for us all.
ReplyDeleteWe were deeply saddened and shocked to her this news. Our thoughts go out to his family during this difficult time. David will always be remembered.
ReplyDeleteThis is so sad. RIP
ReplyDeleteRIP David, and thank you for everything.
ReplyDeleteYour music will live on through your excellent recordings.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much Mister Sanger, for having me discover Joseph Jongen's Sonata Eroica out of that just wonderfull, veritable and quite unequalled 1972 recording of yours at Bath Abbey; may you rest in wonderfull Peace. RIP JW
ReplyDeleteIt was great knowing you. I remember when you played Rhosymedre in Fotherighey church, I was simply stunned. You will be sorely missed.
ReplyDeleteDavid you will be so greatly missed RIP
ReplyDeleteRIP David
ReplyDeletedavid i cannot express my shock and sadness at what has happened to someone who was such a stong influence and for whom i had such enormous respect...you gave so much to so many people, and the essence of your playing and teaching was honesty and integrity. thank god that so many people were influenced by these qualities - you have truly left a wonderful legacy. love always and RIP
ReplyDeleteOn behalf of David's family, thankyou all for the kind words.
ReplyDeleteit's encouraging to us all to know that Uncle David was valued by so many, and influenced so many people in their lives and music.
His legacy will be in the many fine organists with whom he worked over the years.
Thankyou all for your support.
I was deeply, deeply saddened when I heard this terrible news. My heartfelt condolences go to his family and many close friends all over the world. RIP
ReplyDeleteI too was deeply saddened by this news. I learnt to play the organ from your tutor books. I was looking forward to your recital in Canterbury later this year. RIP
ReplyDeleterest in peace..
ReplyDeleteI will never forget his cheeky grin and sense of fun! RIP David.
ReplyDeleteRIP David. Thank you so much for all the advice you have given me about the organ over the past 18 months. You will be a huge loss to the world of music.
ReplyDeleteRIP David!
ReplyDeleteI am so so saddened by this tragic loss. Thank you David for so much inspiration. God reward you for your kindness.
ReplyDeleteDavid was an inspiration to me for over 30 years, and a great friend. There is no-one else like him and no-one else with his encylopaedic knowledge and eagerness to communicate it. This is the most terrible loss for all of us. His was a unique flame. Let's strive to keep it burning.
ReplyDeleteRest in Peace David, not only an excellent musician, but also an unfailingly kind, compassionate and generous man. I will greatly miss your valuable friendship.
ReplyDeleteVery sad news. RIP David!
ReplyDeleteAn insightful teacher, inspiring mentor, faithful friend. Your boundless physical and mental energy allowed you to inspire so many through your recordings, performances and your teaching. Yet, it was your empathic humanity, charm and wit that so endeared you. Your influence will remain and you will never be forgotten. Requiem aeternam dona ei, Domine, et lux perpetua luceat ei.
ReplyDeleteThank you for having been an inspiration to me as a teacher and a performer for over twenty years. RIP
ReplyDeleteDavid... we are all lost for words. We shared the same teacher some 40+ years ago and David, you were, for me, as for many others, a wonderful aspirational role model, both as a player and more recently as a teacher. Your loss will be keenly felt by everyone. We have your family and close friends in our prayers. Rest in peace, dear David. Colleague and friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks for your early influence on my life, David, and your friendship, generosity and encouragement since. You will be sorely missed. RIP
ReplyDeleteRIP David - inspirational figure....
ReplyDeleteI was so pleased to meet you at the conferment ceremony in March and so sad to hear this news. RIP David
ReplyDeleteDavid, although I never knew you personally, you were a big shining beacon in the organ world. May it long live on in all the young budding musicians you have inspired over the years. Lux perpetua luceat tibi et in paradisum deducant te angeli!
ReplyDeleteI still cannot believe this terrible news. David was such a kind, thoughtful, funny and inspirational teacher and friend, and I shall miss him terribly. I will never forget my lessons with him, beginning at school, going through university and then beyond, and I shall always fondly remember him giving me the run-around on the badminton court! I wish I'd had the chance to see him one last time, if only to hear that mischievous laugh and see that twinkle in his eyes. A desperately sad end for such a generous, talented and kind individual. David, rest in peace. Ryan Hepburn, Music Dept., St Paul's School, London.
ReplyDeleteDavid's memory will ever be treasured. I was fortunate to study with David during 1985, and those lessons remain with me. David had the knack of making me feel at ease so that I could give of my best. Always encouraging, he was a perceptive and inspiring teacher, bringing one to new and undreamed-of levels of understanding and music making; he also was incredibly generous with his time, resources and vast knowledge, long after the official student-teacher period. Having been in email contact with David only one week before, the news of his death came as a great shock - one which is still hard to comprehend and assimilate. My sincere condolences are extended to David's family - you must feel his loss so keenly. Rest in peace, David.
ReplyDeleteRest in peace David.
ReplyDeleteThank you for playing my "Dances under open Skies" so wonderfull 13 times in 2004 and 2005.
Flemmming Friis, composer
David kindly autographed one of his LP's for me in 1979, wishing me a successful career in organ building (I was a very junior apprentice at the time). It later became my priviledge to work on the organ at Embleton and I have treasured memories of wonderful dinners, walks on the fells, animated discussions on music...
ReplyDeleteThank you for warm friendship and such innate musicianship from which I have learnt so much.
David.Thankyou for 40 years of friendship .Thankyou for your humour,your patience,your encouragement,your humanity.Everyone who met you knew they where in the company of a very special person.You will always be in my thoughts.Be at peace.
ReplyDeleteMay you rest in peace, David. I was hoping to meet you someday in this life; I hope we will meet in the next.
ReplyDeleteI was a pupil of David's on and off for over 25 years - I now wish I had made more effort to have lessons during the breaks. He was a wonderfully inspirational and encouraging teacher, and I particularly cherish the odd ploughman's lunch he provided because I had travelled such a distance - as well as nattering in his kitchen about projects he was involved in, instruments he had played etc. I would not enjoy playing half so much had he not taught me how. An amazing generosity of spirit - an utter tragedy.
ReplyDeleteI owe everything to David. He was a wonderful teacher and friend and will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteWhen I think of David I remember his incredibly generosity in sharing the chapel. We had holidays there with two or three families. The chapel would be full to bursting. I remember long walks on the fells starting early and finishing late. David would show us the best routes and find the best pubs. When I look back I am amazed at his incredible kindness. Thank you David for being such a good friend to my family. We are all so sad at your loss. RIP
ReplyDeleteFrom myself and our mutual friend Mike Manners, rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteI am still reeling at this tragic news. Thank you David for 4 years' inspirational, humourous and patient teaching. You have left a priceless legacy which will live on not just in your scholarship, compositions and recordings, but through your teaching will will be passed down the generations. May you rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteDavid Sanger's death is a great loss to the world of the organ, and, I'm certain, to many personal friends. I knew him only slightly, having met him after his excellent recital in Copenhagen Cathedral quite a few years ago.
ReplyDeleteBut recently I emailed him with some questions about Vierne, and he replied soon that he did remember me, and then dealt with my questions. Among
organists I know either closely or just as acquaintances he certainly was a
first rate communicator and a real professional in every respect. James Johnson - Organist in Adolphus Busch Hall at Harvard 1971-1991
I did not know David well, but will never forget the 3 or 4 lessons I had with him as a young student ; utterly inspirational. I have never met any other music teacher with his ability to combine practical, technical detail with profound musical insight. At the end of the lesson he would modestly suggest that he might play through the piece for me. There would then follow a perfect performance (with a witty but perceptive commentary as he went along). The most extraordinary thing, however, was that instead of leaving one reduced by his exceptional ability, you were left feeling that you too could play as well as that, because he believed in you and wanted you to play as well as him. So crowning all his talents as a teacher was the gift - how rare - of directing a student whilst leaving them, above all, free to be themselves. What a terrible loss. David ; RIP.
ReplyDeleteDavid Sanger was a kind and friendly man. My wife Bente and I knew him as a man with a fine sense of humour who liked a well-cooked dinner. He met all people with true interest and took great care in his students. He was always interested in news about old students, friends and all the people he met during concert tours around the world.
ReplyDeleteHe did not seek the limelight or wanted to act like a star. He was just a man playing the organ – but he played like a star.
We shall miss his fantastic playing and his characteristic laughter.
I met David at a César Franck Contest in Haarlem, The Netherlands, where he was a member of the jury. I am involved in the organisation of these contests. My collegues and I had dinner with the jury, I was seated near David and talked a lot with him. He had practised on my organ in St. Joseph Church and had played an outstanding improvisation. He was very pleased with the organ. I will remember him as a charming,witty and very gifted person. May he rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteGemma Coebergh, Haarlem, the Netherlands.
David was an aoutstanding gentleman, and was a great honour to know him. I know he did a lot of work for the music comunity, and was an amazing player at the Organ. I will miss him as a friend and a sports partner when we got out. I will always rememeber him by the comments we shouted over the valley in Embleton after an evening out at the pub. I will always drive past the chapel thinking that you were a true saint. RIP David.
ReplyDeleteWow! All the comments from the numerous people in this collection of tributes reflect on how great an influence David Sanger had on many organists from around the world, particularly as an inspirational teacher. I had lessons with him for the past 10 years and he helped me hugely to improve my playing. I will always remember his great qualities as a kind and friendly human-being as well as scholar, tutor and musician (all roles that he seemed to be equally excellent at!). RIP David.
ReplyDeleteI was priveleged to be taught by David after the FRCO and it was at that point that he revolutionised my playing. His electrifying performance of Vierne 3 on the most unlikely instrument of St Mary's Nottingham got me hooked on that composer for the rest of my life. I also well remember the few drinks we had afterwards and then him setting off in his old VW camper the wrong way around the one-way system and talking himself out of it when the police stopped him. An extraordinarily kind man who always had time for you and never failed to inspire.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know david sanger, but what a tragedy. Such an inspiring player - a real loss RIP
ReplyDeleteI knew David for some time from a good 30 years ago, when we were both on the committee of Bexley Organists' Association. He was an inspiring player and a good friend, and he didn't stop being a friend when he moved to Cumbria. I sang in a Bach Choir concert in Bergen, Norway, in the late 1980s, and David was in the audience, spotted me and came to find me afterwards; we then went out for several (expensive Norwegian) beers, for which he insisted on paying. This is very boring to anyone else, but for me it showed that the internationally famous David didn't forget old friends. I last saw him at his brilliant recital in Westminster Cathedral a few months before his death, and I'm so glad I went and heard him one last time at his best. We must regret the waste of his tragic end, but also celebrate the music he shared with so many.
ReplyDeleteI knew David Sanger for many years, both during his time at the Oundle for Organists summer schools and on two occasions with a group of students in Toulouse. He was a truly accomplished teacher and performer - giving up considerable time to the benefit of all. A true gentlemen who will be sadly missed.
ReplyDeleteI didn't know David personally, but was a great admirer of his God-given abilities. I hope the planned 2011 celebration of his life will take place in a suitably enormous place, so that all his friends, and those 'jobbing-organists' like myself, will be able to come and celebrate his life. God
ReplyDeleteDavid was a superb teacher: patient, phenomenally knowledgeable, and good-humoured. I remember the inspirational lessons at Christ Church and Exeter fondly, and I still use the Bach fingerings that he carefully wrote into my copies. He was a generous, erudite, witty man and I mourn his passing.
ReplyDeleteDavid was an inspired player, a true musician. His recording of Widor's 5th will always be the definitive choice for me! Such sad times we live in.
ReplyDeleteTRIBUTE INCLUDED IN ALBERT HALL NOTTINGHAM ORGAN RECITAL PROGRAMME 06/06/10
ReplyDeleteDAVID SANGER 1947-2010
Since we went to press news has reached us of the sad death of David Sanger on 27 May.
He played twice in Nottinghamshire in recent years, at the Albert Hall in 1995 and the following year on the new Quire organ in Southwell Minster. At both recitals he performed music of his
own, and both times I had to ring him up to gain information
about the pieces. He was extremely friendly and helpful, telling
me about his house organ (which in his youth had been at his local church in Bexleyheath before being transplanted to his home in Cumbria) and sharing anecdotes about organ playing.
His compositions were often written for specific instruments, notably the spatially-divided organs in Westminster and St Paul’s Cathedrals, and his playing showed immense understanding of the possibilities of any instrument.
His recorded legacy included what must have been some of the
first recordings of the complete Vierne symphonies, on the Anneessens / Walker organ at the Italian Church Clerkenwell
along with Widor V at the same location; there was also a fine record at Bath Abbey of the Jongen Sonata Eroica and the Boëllmann Suite Gothique.
He had studied with Marie-Claire Alain, Anton Heiller and
Susi Jeans, and his own pupils include Carol Williams,
David Goode and Simon Williams.
(IW)
Davids death was a very tragic one and I am very saddened to have heard about it.He was a very influential teacher and having lost another of my former teachers seven months ago this has come as another sad loss. Rest in peace David.
ReplyDeleteIn the early 1960’s my husband, Michael Perkins was organist at St. John’s Church, Erith, Kent. He was arranging concerts in order to raise money to have the organ (Bishop) refurbished.
ReplyDeleteOne day Stan Sanger arrived on our doorstep with his young son David – aged about 15 years. Until that time David had given recitals only in his own church at Bexleyheath and Stan thought David could help by giving one at Erith. Michael said he would consider it, but not until he had heard David play! David did his ‘Audition’ at Erith, by playing a Bach Trio Sonata - probably note perfect – from memory. He got his recital and many more. Michael remarked to me afterwards that ‘I think this lad will go far’ !!!!!
Our friendship lasted over 45 years, during which time he played for our elder daughter’s wedding and took part in the Memorial Concert for Michael. We were always made most welcome by David and his parents when we visited them in the Lake District when on holiday. He also had ‘B & B’ 3 times a term with us, when visiting his Oxford students. The evenings were always hilarious. I shall always remember his kindness, generosity and humour. We feel that we gave David his very first real recital. We have lost a very dear friend.
Good night David. R.I.P.
Pat
I met David on several occasions while he was Consultant for a major overhaul of the organ at Christ Church Eastbourne in 2008. He was a kind, humorous, knowledgeable and above all supremely accomplished musician whose fell-walking obviously came in handy as he clambered around inside the instrument. News of his death was a great shock.
ReplyDeleteA really kind, generous and above all patient (!) teacher. RIP David.
ReplyDeleteAs a frequent visitor to Norway, David will be greatly missed here too. I was very fortunate to have studied with such a dedicated and inspiring teacher. I will never forget his recital at Birmingham Town Hall when I was the page turner.
ReplyDeleteI too feel very fortunate to have had the chance to study with such an inspiring teacher. David always had such patience: I could never find enough time to practise, but he was always so kind! He will be greatly missed.
ReplyDeleteOne of David's former students, Henry Fairs, is performing a recital in his memory on August 22nd, in Normandy. More details here http://www.henryfairs.com/news1 .
ReplyDeleteThanks Henry.
Only today, Aug 3rd have I received my copy of the RAM newsletter. There I read of the death of David, one of my earliest Piano students at the RAM when I was still fairly new on the Full-time staff. I am deeply shocked & saddened at the loss of someone so valuable in the world of music. David was already a good pianist when he arrived at the RAM,maybe aged 15-16. We kept in touch over the years, though my return to live in NZ (Dec '79) meant I missed his live performances. However, I shall never forget noticing David, his brother & parents sitting in the Purcell Rm (my piano recital in the 1960s). Later a note came in the post thanking me, expressing the Sangers' pleasure etc, but what I remember exactly was David's last 'quip' - "please let us know when you are playing there again - the seats are so comfy"! I was also very fortunate when travelling to Shetland (via Glasgow)in 1997-or 8, to have broken my journey at Cockermouth, staying the night at 'THE Old Weslyan Ch..' What wonderful extensions, carpentry etc & hearing the organ. If you read this Peter, I have not forgotten you either, thought of you when Guy J died. Please accept my deepest sympathy, Georgina Zellan-Smith, formerly Prof at the RAM, 1959 -'79.
ReplyDeleteYesterday I stumbled across David's recording of Widor 5 and Jongen Eroica et al in HMV and bought it straight away. It is playing as I write this...it has been playing all day! His recordings remind us all of the sad loss of an excellent player and lover of the organ and its music. May he rest in peace.
ReplyDeletePupils, friends and admirers may wish to know that there is to be a MEMORIAL RECITAL in central London to pay musical tribute to David. Given by Hans Fagius (his duet partner) and four pupils who have themselves become international recitalists (David Goode, David Aprahamian Liddle, Stephen Farr and James Lloyd Thomas), it begins at 1pm on Monday 1st November, in ST MICHAEL'S CORNHILL, EC3. Admission is free.
ReplyDeleteJonathan
The Celebration Concert organised by David's family will be held on Saturday 5 March 2011 at 2.30pm at Great St Mary's, the University Church in Market Square, Cambridge. More information on David's website www.davidsanger.co.uk
ReplyDeleteNo wonder David didn't answer my calls ! I am shocked and at a loss to learn that my long-time friend has died.
ReplyDeleteDavid and I often shared the organ stool on childhood outings with our local organists association in Kent; and later, he attempted to teach our mutual friend Clive Brearley and I how beer should be drunk ! Wonderful memories of David, Clive, and myself 'talking shop' over a good pint.
Not just a wonderful world-class musician, a kind and humble gentleman.
David was a close and dear friend to me and my wife Ingrid and his death was a great shock. I first met David during the competition in Munich in 1972 (which he won) and in the following years we stayed in close contact, both through his numerous visits to Norway and my frequent trips to UK.
ReplyDeleteIn later years there were longer intervals between us seeing each other, but as late as October 2009 David once more stayed overnight in our home as so often before, and in November he was for the last time in Oslo, playing a brilliant recital. David would always have an answer to almost any question I could ask about any organlitterature and our discussions were always enlightening and rewarding. We will forever remember him as the kindest and most gentle person – as well as an outstanding artist. He was one of the finest performers I ever knew. I do really miss him.
I am astonished; I just discovered a few minutes ago the death of David. We were in contact through Internet.
ReplyDeleteHe used to play three small pieces composed by Maurice Lenormand around 1915. M Lenormand was my teacher until 1965. He died in 1981 and we were trying to organise a concert where David could play on M Lenormand’s organ, in Macon in France.
We contemplated a concert in 2011 for the 30 years anniversary of M Lenormand death.
Further to a visit to a son of M Lenormand (Albert, a reknown painter aged 96), I could find an unpublished small piece composed by M Lenormand that David intended to play. Did he do so in a concert ? I am very sad.
Deeply shocked and saddened by the dreadful loss of David Sanger. He was inspirational at the RAM - treasured memories of the students' visit to Paris he organised in 1986 - I found my photos of it the other day! There was no wiser champion of the organ and its repertoire than DS - if you wanted to know the best way of playing anything, you simply listened to him. He continues to inspire. A great fellow to have known and I think of him still.
ReplyDeleteI was deeply shocked and saddened by the loss of this extremely talented former schoolmate. Having been isolated in central Europe for some time, I have only just learned of this tragedy. My sympathies to Peter and his family.
ReplyDeleteDavid was a dear friend of our family for 35 years!We first got to know hime as a brilliant young organ recitalist from England, who needed somewhere to stay whilst going on his first recital tour with the Norwegian Organ Circle in the mid-1970s. My father, Dag Fluge, and the rest of us came to almost regard him as part of our family over the following decades, as he loved touring in Scandinavia - although his Norwegian lessons never seemed to lead anywhere! As my father's health has suffered dramatically over the past few years, we didn't see David as often, although he remained a caring friend and collegue.He made, however, a special trip to see my parents shortly before his tragedy unfolded. David followed his visit up with the most beautiful letter , which in retrospect was his farewell to my parents...He was a warm and generous person, talented but modest, curious but cautious. May you rest in peace.
ReplyDeleteDavid was a classmate of mine at Eltham and kept his light under a bushel. We all knew he was musically talented but until now and these tragic circumstances had not realised how talented he was. Although I left school and never saw him again, I still mourn his passing. It seems the world has lost another brilliant musician who it would seem has been an inspiration to so many.
ReplyDeleteRIP David from David
I was privileged to have David as my teacher at the RAM and afterwards some 25 years ago. I will never forget his charm and friendliness, while being uncompromising about expected standards and quality of interpretation! Many aspects of interpretation of organ music somehow made sense for the first time under his tuition. I have never forgotten the principles he taught me. He will be missed greatly.
ReplyDeleteA year has not diminished the sadness felt at David's passing. He meant so much to so many.
ReplyDeleteI learned about David's death just today. I vividly remember his fantastic concert in Molde, Norway -- in particular his rendition of Fantasy and Fugue on B-A-C-H by Reger. He wrote a nice greeting in my copy of "Play the Organ" afterwards, and we talked a bit. Wonderful artist and person. R.I.P.
ReplyDelete