Commended for his “masterful artistry” (The Diapason) and “stunning virtuosity and musicality” (Choir and Organ), David Baskeyfield has earned a reputation as a captivating performer, whose effortless technical facility is tempered by intelligent and mature interpretation, and informed above all by intuitive and communicative musicianship. His repertoire is wide and eclectic, at home with the music of the Old Masters of the 17th-century and the great 19th-century virtuosos. He is also one of relatively few organists in North America to improvise regularly in recital.
In 2023, Mr. Baskeyfield was appointed to the joint positions of Organist and Choirmaster at St. Paul’s Episcopal Church, Greenville, NC, and Artistic Director of the East Carolina Musical Arts and Education Foundation, which supports programming on the St. Paul’s C. B. Fisk organ, opus 128, and seeks to promote the instrument through outreach at the local and national level.
Mr. Baskeyfield studied Law at Oxford University and holds Master’s and Doctoral degrees from the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, NY, where he has also served on the faculty. He is the recipient of an unusual number of first prizes in playing competitions; these include the Canadian International Organ Competition, St Albans, Miami, and the AGO National Competition in Organ Improvisation, all with audience prize. He has recorded for ATMA Classique and Acis Productions.
Alongside solo performance, Mr. Baskeyfield enjoys work as a collaborative pianist, continuo player, and occasional cocktail pianist. He has been broadcast a number of times on American Public Media’s Pipedreams, as well as NPR’s With Heart and Voice. He has occasionally given theatre organ recitals.
Since moving to eastern North Carolina, David has been able to devote considerably more time to offshore sport fishing and scuba diving than had been feasible in upstate NY. He shares his house with two springer spaniels, Lucy and Wilbur.
Mr. Baskeyfield is represented in North America by Karen McFarlane Artists, Inc.