Richard Apperley

Organist, sound engineer, producer, recitalist and teacher Richard Apperley is as passionate about performing and capturing performances in recordings as he is about fostering a love of the organ in younger generations of performers.

Playing regularly with New Zealand’s leading choirs, orchestras and festivals — including the Adam Chamber Music Festival, The Tudor Concert and the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra — Richard’s particular interests lie in the organ music of Buxtehude, Howells and New Zealand composers, and in contemporary works.

As Assistant Director of Music at the Wellington Cathedral of St Paul, Richard accompanies services and assists with the direction of the cathedral’s choirs. Richard formerly held the post of Assistant Organist at Lincoln Cathedral. Building on his keen interest in Anglican psalmody, Richard has led the publication of new psalters for both cathedrals. Richard is also keenly interested in New Zealand organ music, having compiled and edited two volumes of New Zealand choral works, published by Fagus Music (UK). He has given many recitals of the repertoire, recorded a concert for broadcast by Radio New Zealand Concert and recently released a CD of New Zealand music.

Alongside his cathedral work, Richard is also co-director and engineer for his audio production company, Hadfield Audio — a specialist location recording company with a focus on choral and organ music. Richard’s recordings are usually released on his organism label, which he founded in 2010 to allow independent artists to record and release recordings with minimal costs and absolute control over the finished product.

Richard was born in Lower Hutt, New Zealand, on 15 September 1982