Max makes return visit from life in New Zealand

Jun 11 2008 by Andrew Baldwin, Huddersfield Daily Examiner

MAX Kenworthy left for the capital of New Zealand in 2002 when he became assistant music director at St Paul’s Cathedral in Wellington.

He’s still in the city, but returns home soon on the UK leg of a world tour with organ duet partner Nicholas Grigsby.

They both recorded the highly- acclaimed CD Four Hands, Four Feet, adding to Max’s burgeoning reputation in the world of music.

Fittingly, the first of their five British dates is at Huddersfield Parish Church on Thursday, June 26.

Their appearance will be followed by dates at Lincoln and Sheffield cathedrals, Hull City Hall and Westminster Abbey.

It’s full circle for Max, who began his career as a chorister at St George’s Church at Brockholes and at the age of eight won a place at St Paul’s Cathedral Choir School in London.

He spent almost five years there as a chorister in the cathedral choir, taking part in many high-profile services, recordings and overseas tours.

Max returned to Thongsbridge at the age of 13 and went to Bradford Grammar School, where he consolidated his singing, piano and violin training by learning the organ, which became his first love.

From school he won an organ scholarship to Rochester Cathedral in Kent, where he spent a very happy year before taking up an organ scholarship at Brasenose College, Oxford, continuing his studies under David Goode.

During this time, about 10 years ago, Max won the Huddersfield Organists’ Association Trophy in open competition at the Mrs Sunderland Competition in Huddersfield Town Hall.

After Oxford, Max worked in London for a couple of years as a professional church organist and teacher, before taking up the post of assistant director of music at St Paul’s Wellington.

His work there involves playing for all services, training and conducting the choir and developing new musical talent.

Since then he has given solo recitals around New Zealand and has also performed with the New Zealand Symphony Orchestra, Wellington Sinfonia, the Royal New Zealand Air Force Band and the country’s top contemporary music ensemble, Stroma.

In 2006 he recorded his first solo organ disc, Organum Maximum, on the organ of St Paul’s, Wellington.

He is also featured on the CD Favourite Hymns; Cathedral Classics and the cathedral choir’s latest CD, The Service of Shadows.

As a pianist Max has performed frequently and widely with his New Zealand-based jazz group, the Jazz-Tempered Trio.

They released their debut CD Bach in Black last December, jazz interpretations of Bach’s music.

Max has also worked as a concert reviewer and contributor for Radio New Zealand Concert, most recently presenting a programme on the organ works of Messiaen.

His 15-date tour with Nicholas Grigsby takes them to six countries, incorporating exciting venues and some magnificent instruments around the world, including Melbourne Town Hall in Australia and the Hong Kong Cultural Centre.

Max and Nicholas have more concerts later in the year, in Germany and Russia, with a further tour of the USA planned for 2009.

Their recital in Huddersfield starts at 7.30pm.

It will include favourites such as Handel’sŠArrival of the Queen of Sheba, Merkel’sŠOrgan Sonata for Two OrganistsŠand Wagner’sŠRide of the Valkyries.

There will also be new duet repertoire and solo items. Tickets and programmes will be available on the door, price £5.

Contact Max by email at max@maxkenworthy.com