Conductor, Organ

Donald Hunt

Albums

Joy to the World: Carols from Worcester Cathedral

Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt

English Choral & Organ Music: Elgar, Finzi, Howells & Sumsion

Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt

Samuel Sebastian Wesley: Anthems, Vol. 2

Adrian Partington, Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt

Samuel Sebastian Wesley: Anthems, Vol. 1

Adrian Partington, Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt

Stanford: Cathedral Music

Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt

Elgar: The Complete Choral Songs

Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt Singers, Donald Hunt

The Artistic Genius of Donald Hunt: A Deep Dive into His Fascinating Works

Donald Hunt, a prominent English choral conductor and organist, is celebrated for his captivating work titled, “Fascinating works by Donald Hunt | STAGE+”. This magnificent body of work consists of several collections featuring traditional carols and enchanting choral songs.

Joy to the World: Carols from Worcester Cathedral

Starting with "Joy to the World: Carols from Worcester Cathedral", Donald Hunt collaborates with the Worcester Cathedral Choir to deliver melodious carols that tell of the tidings of joy and peace of the Christmas season. The songs' intricate harmonies reveal a deep understanding of chorale music, producing a sound that leaves listeners with a surreal feeling.

English Choral & Organ Music: Elgar, Finzi, Howells & Sumsion

The list includes the beautifully engaging “English Choral & Organ Music: Elgar, Finzi, Howells & Sumsion." In this collection, alongside the majestic Worcester Cathedral Choir, Donald Hunt brings out the depth and dramatic effects of these legendary British composers' works.

Samuel Sebastian Wesley: Anthems, Vol. 1 & 2

The collections "Samuel Sebastian Wesley: Anthems, Vol. 1" and "Samuel Sebastian Wesley: Anthems, Vol. 2" feature the inspiring works of the influential English composer, Samuel Sebastian Wesley. Produced in collaboration with Adrian Partington and the Worcester Cathedral Choir, these anthems pour out richness and character, strongly demonstrating Hunt’s artistic versatility.

Stanford: Cathedral Music

The compilation titled "Stanford: Cathedral Music" yet again displays Hunt's exceptional choral directing in conjunction with the Worcester Cathedral Choir, bringing to life the timeless works of Charles Villiers Stanford.

Elgar: The Complete Choral Songs

Donald Hunt’s prowess as a conductor and organist shines in "Elgar: The Complete Choral Songs" where he successfully interprets and presents Edward Elgar’s compositions with captivating finesse. In this collection, the harmonious blend of the Worcester Cathedral Choir and Donald Hunt Singers seeps into the heart of the listener, creating a memorable musical journey.

Donald Hunt’s Career and Significance

Donald Hunt (1930–2018) was renowned for his tenure as Master of the Choristers and Organist at Worcester Cathedral from 1975 or 1976, as sources vary, until 1996. His leadership of the Worcester Cathedral Choir resulted in a notable discography featuring English choral and organ works, particularly those by Elgar, Finzi, Howells, Sumsion, Stanford, and Wesley.

Hunt was deeply involved with the historic Three Choirs Festival, one of the world's oldest music festivals, which rotates between the cathedrals of Gloucester, Hereford, and Worcester. As Master of Choristers at Worcester, he bore triennial responsibility for the festival’s music programming—curating it on eight occasions during his career. He championed not only the English choral tradition but also included works by French composers like Pierre Villette, Jean Langlais, and Olivier Messiaen, broadening the festival’s repertoire.

A key figure in the English cathedral music scene, Hunt’s expertise was shaped early on as a chorister and assistant under Dr. Herbert Sumsion at Gloucester Cathedral. Sumsion was directly linked to Edward Elgar, positioning Hunt within a living tradition of English choral music. Hunt became especially noted for his interpretations of Elgar’s choral works, such as The Dream of Gerontius, affirming his reputation as one of the leading Elgarians of his generation.

These collective works speak volumes of Donald Hunt's contributions to choral and organ music. His ability to bring together chorister voices and his significant influence on the English cathedral music scene have left a lasting legacy.