PROFILE
Dr Joseph Nolan
Started at UWA: 2013
World renowned and multi-award-winning organist
Dr Joseph Nolan is an Honorary Research Fellow and internationally renowned organist. He was appointed to Her Majesty’s Chapels Royal in 2004, performing numerous times at Buckingham Palace; most notably, playing at the Thanksgiving Service for Princess Diana and giving the opening concert of the refurbished Grand Ballroom organ to a distinguished audience.
Dr Nolan took up his present role at the UWA Conservatorium of Music in 2008 and currently runs the cathedral music program at St George’s Cathedral in Perth which, under his leadership, has been described as “world-class”.
He is a multiple award-winning musician, hailed by ABC Classic FM as ‘an extraordinary musician’ and by BBC Radio 3 Record Review as ‘magnificent’.
He is known for the powerful impact and precision of his music. Dr Nolan has performed in concert across the globe, and in 2018 was awarded one of the University’s most prestigious doctorates, the Doctor of Letters.
Dr Nolan believes that to maintain and improve one's musical and intellectual skills, it is essential to keep performing and teaching.
Qualifications:
D. Litt, B Mus (RCM) Hons
ARCM (Perf)
Positions held:
Organist and Master of The Choristers, St George's Cathedral, Perth, Western Australia
Doctor of Letters UWA, 2017
Critics' Choice Gramophone, Recording of the Month, Limelight, 2018
Award of Chevalier medal (arts and letters) from French Government, 2015
Completion of the complete organ works of Widor from Paris for Signum Records, UK, 2011-2014
Rehearsing Poulenc’s Organ Concerto featuring organist Joseph Nolan and Bartó
News
Saint-Saëns’ Organ Symphony (Sydney Symphony Orchestra)
A sparkling account of Emmanuel Chabrier’s España Rhapsody opened last night’s Sydney Symphony Orchestra concert with festive joy.
Read moreFormer organist to the Queen helps Perth choir reach high note
World-renowned English-born organist Joseph Nolan was playing for the likes of the Queen at Her Majesty's Chapel Royal at St James' Palace when the opportunity to lead his own choir lured him to WA more than eight years ago.
Read moreJoseph Nolan honoured by the French government
Joseph Nolan, organist and Master of the Choristers at Perth’s St George’s Cathedral, has described himself as “incredulous” on being awarded France’s prestigious medal of Chevalier (Knight) in the Order of Arts and Letters. The honour comes courtesy of the French Minister of Culture and Communication and is in recognition of his services to French Music.
Read moreProjects
Researching the complete works of Alkan for commercial recording in Paris 2020 for Signum Records.
Dr Nolan is preparing the complete organ symphonies of Vierne ready to perform at St John's Cathedral in Brisbane and gathering research regarding performance practice for a complete recording of the organ works of Alkan in Paris for the music record label, Signum Records in 2020.
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