Buxtehude – Toccata in F major, BuxWV 156 at Chester Cathedral

Live recording from David’s recital at Chester Cathedral on 13 November 2025.  The music lends itself particularly well to the contrasting and antiphonal possibilities of this fine organ, with the Choir division answering the main organ across the space of the Cathedral.

Carillon de Westminster by Louis Vierne at Saint-Ouen, Rouen

A live performance of the Carillon de Westminster by Louis Vierne on the world famous Cavaillé-Coll organ (1890) of St Ouen Abbey in Rouen, France.  From David Hirst’s recital on 14 September 2025.  A perfect matching of instrument and music.

Reubke Sonata at St Ouen, Rouen

Rare performance of the monumental Sonata by Julius Reubke played on the great Cavaillé-Coll organ (1890) of St Ouen Abbey in Rouen, France.  Live recording of David Hirst’s recital on 14 September 2025.

Livestream 2025: Recital at Utrecht Cathedral, the Netherlands

David Hirst plays a recital at Utrecht Cathedral in the Netherlands on 12 July 2025.

1. Toccata & Fugue in F major BuxWV 156 – Dietrich Buxtehude (from 13:54)
2. Voluntary XIII in G major  – Maurice Greene (from 28:12)
3. Voluntary I in D major – William Boyce (from 32:40)
4. Concerto for 2 violins & orchestra (arr. JS Bach BWV 593) – Antonio Vivaldi (from 39:02)
   1. Allegro (from 39:02)
   2. Adagio (from 43:44)
   3. Allegro (from 49:17)
5. Variations on a Theme of Paganini, Op. 68 – Bryan Hesford (from 56:33)
6. Clair de Lune (arr. JB Robin) – Claude Debussy (from 1:06:16)
7. Variations & Fugue on ‘God save the King’ (‘Heil, unserm König, Heil’) – Max Reger (from 1:15:53)

Widor 5th Symphony (complete) with Toccata at Coventry Cathedral

David Hirst plays Charles-Marie Widor’s 5th Symphony in F minor, including the famous Toccata, live at a recital in Coventry Cathedral on 2nd September, 2024.

Livestream 2024: Recital at St Patrick's Cathedral, New York, USA

David Hirst plays a recital on the Kilgen organ of St Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City on 9 June 2024.

1. 1st Movement, 5th Symphony – Charles-Marie Widor (from 6:38)
2. Variations & Fugue on ‘God Save the King’ – Max Reger (from 18:58)
3. Carillon de Westminster – Louis Vierne (from 28:00)

Livestream 2024: Recital at the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle, Washington DC, USA

David Hirst plays the Fifth Symphony for organ (complete) by Charles-Marie Widor, including the famous ‘Widor Toccata’, at a recital on the Lively-Fulcher organ (2019) of the Cathedral of St Matthew the Apostle in Washington DC on 29 May 2024.

I. Allegro vivace (from 19:37)

II. Allegro cantabile (from 31:45)

III. Andantino quasi allegretto (from 40:45)

IV. Adagio (from 48:55)

V. Toccata (Allegro) (from 54:15)

Bach Prelude in G major BWV 541

David Hirst plays the Prelude in G major by J.S. Bach on the Cogez organ of Notre-Dame de Mantes-la-Jolie (France).  Recorded live in October 2023.  

Live Recital at Chester Cathedral

David Hirst plays the organ of Chester Cathedral (UK) at a recital on 19 October, 2023:  

1. Introduction & Passacaglia – Walter Alcock
2. Choral No. 2 – César Franck
3. Variations & Fugue on ‘God Save the King’ – Max Reger

Elgar's Nimrod

David Hirst plays Elgar’s Nimrod at a recital in Bath Abbey (UK) on 1st August, 2023.

Bach Toccata & Fugue in d minor BWV 565

David Hirst plays the famous Toccata & Fugue in d minor by J.S. Bach on the Danion organ of Notre-Dame de Mantes-la-Jolie (France).  Recorded live in June 2022.  

Bach Sonata No 5 in C major BWV 529 (1st movement: Allegro)

David Hirst plays Bach’s Trio Sonata in C major BWV 529 (1st movement: Allegro) at a recital in Bourges Cathedral (France) on 14th August, 2022.

Dupré Prelude & Fugue in G minor

David Hirst plays Dupré’s Prelude & Fugue in G minor at a recital in Antwerp Cathedral on 20th August, 2021.

Guilmant 5th Sonata (complete)

David Hirst plays Alexandre Guilmant’s 5th Sonata in C minor at a recital in St Germain-en-Laye church on 17th July, 2021.

'Mars' from Holst's 'The Planets'

David Hirst plays a transcription by Arthur Wills of ‘Mars’ from Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite ‘The Planets’ at a recital in Chartres Cathedral on 16th August, 2018.

Final from Vierne's 1st Symphony for organ

David Hirst plays the Final from Vierne’s 1st Symphony for organ in a live recording from his recital at the Laurenskerk in Rotterdam on 29th August, 2017.

'Prière du Soir', Gounod

David Hirst accompanies the vocal group l’Offrande Lyrique (Versailles) in a performance of Charles Gounod’s Prière du Soir recorded in November 2019.