Biographical Notes

for Douglas Lawrence

After completing a Masters Degree in performance at Melbourne University Douglas spent two years with Anton Heiller in the Concert Class at the Vienna Academy and during that time began a concert career which has since taken him throughout most of the Western World. His first important concert was in 1972 on the world’s oldest playable organ in Sion Switzerland. That instrument was built about 1420. Douglas has given concerts there on six subsequent occasions. He performs each year internationally earning the enthusiastic praise of critics. He has given something over 2,000 concerts as organist, harpsichordist or conductor and released a small pile of recordings. 2001 saw five new compact discs; the Bamboo Organ of Manila; two of the new organ in the Scots’ Church; two with The Choir of Ormond College and one featuring the Choir of the Scots’ Church with organist Robin Batterham.

Amongst several inaugurals Lawrence played the first concert on the organ of the Sydney Opera House and Melba Hall at Melbourne University; and gave the first solo recital on the organ in the Melbourne Concert Hall. In March 2000 Scots’ Church in Melbourne inaugurated a new 68 stop organ from the famous Austrian builder Rieger. This instrument, designed by Douglas Lawrence is regarded by many eminent European, American and Australasian organists as the finest organ to ever come to Australia.

The international press has also given the highest praise to Lawrence for his work with the Choir of Ormond College. The choir has toured abroad every two years since 1985. Lawrence founded the Choir in 1982.

In Melbourne, Douglas Lawrence is Director of Music to the Scots Church. He founded and directs the Australian Baroque Ensemble and the Australian Chamber Choir. He teaches organ for the Faculty of Music at Melbourne University and the Australian Catholic University. He was a sessional lecturer to the United Faculty of Theology. In 1992 he was awarded an Order of Australia for services to music.

Douglas Lawrence has appeared as soloist for the Australian Broadcasting Corporation series, youth concerts, Contemporary series and as soloist with the orchestras on television and radio. He gives duo concerts with harpsichordist Elizabeth Anderson.

Douglas Lawrence is much sought after as a judge in organ playing and choral competitions and his opinion is highly regarded in the field of organ design for churches and concert halls.

As organist or conductor Douglas Lawrence has given something over 70 first performances. This activity continues unabated with new works scheduled for premiering each year.

Douglas Lawrence > Biographical Notes

Douglas Lawrence plays the Rieger Organ in the Scot's Church Melbourne