Nigel Pursey
Musician

Describe who you are and what you do.

My name is Nigel Pursey and I am a retired after a career in local government. I have been playing the organ since the age of 12  (once my legs were long enough to reach the pedals!) and for nearly 20 years have been playing regularly in Shrewsbury Abbey.

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How and where do you work to create your art?

I do not have a pipe organ at home! So my practice and playing has to be where there is an organ, usually in a church (often in the dark the when the Abbey is closed) but sometimes in concert halls or even country houses. I continue to practice regularly, challenging myself to learn new music and keep my fingers and feet moving.

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Who do you most admire artistically?

Leading French organists, because of their incredible skills of improvisation.

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Describe a situation that inspired you.

I was inspired to learn to play the organ by hearing a radio broadcast of organ music and by hearing the organ in Canterbury Cathedral.

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What memorable responses have you had to your work?

It's always rewarding to be given positive feedback. Two particularly memorable responses are: "These days I am seldom moved by organ music but that (Guilmant's Organ Symphony slow movement) was just beautiful"; "I thought he was just another boring civil servant".

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Name something you love, and why.

I love the clarinet stop on Shrewsbury Abbey's organ. The sound it produces is smooth, rich and evocative, and a real tribute to the skills of master organ builder William Hill.

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What's your dream project?

To play a recital or service on the superb Cavaille-Coll organ in Notre Dame, Paris.

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Favourite or most inspirational place?

The Lake District fells. The views can be just astonishing but always different, and the effort of getting up on to the tops is always invigorating.

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What's the best piece of advice you've been given?

"Remember what it felt like when you were playing that cathedral organ - this was job interview advice!