Possessing nearly unparalleled technical facility, a brilliant ear for tonal color, and innovative programming style, Peter Richard Conte is one the most admired “orchestral” organists of this era. Appointed in 1989 as the fourth Wanamaker Grand Court Organist and presiding over the world’s largest fully functioning musical instrument (29,000 pipes) at Macy’s Center City in downtown Philadelphia, Mr. Conte is a masterful and enthralling performer, arranger of jaw-dropping organ transcriptions, and creatively astute silent film accompanist who is equally at home with a work by Franck or accompanying a Charlie Chaplin film.
|
UPCOMING EVENTS
Wednesday, July 17, 2024 Saturday, May 17, 2025 |
From the Critics
“A sparkling, often lighthearted concert of organ compositions and transcriptions. Conte led off his ebullient romp
through Broadway and Victorian-era Boston (with a layover in Bayreuth, Germany) with his own quirky transcription of
Bernstein’s Overture to ‘Candide’….Mixture of levity and technical brilliance.”
(The Birmingham News, AL)
“In every piece it was obvious that Conte is a great musician and has taken the time to know the capacities of his
instrument. Such a range of expression I didn’t know was possible on an organ. What a wonderful evening this was!”
(Vroom, live performance review in American Record Guide)
“It goes without saying that he gives a first-rate performance.”
(The Diapason)
“Conte’s brilliance in registration is incredible, his playing credibly, refreshingly excellent. Fabulous.”
(The American Organist)
From the Presenters
“Thank you so much for your outstanding performance. Your program was quite exciting and entertaining, and your
playing was amazing, as usual. We have heard nothing but rave reviews for your thrilling recital. You have the rare gift to
be able to communicate through the organ and are so innately musical that you make the music sound perfectly natural
and beautiful.”
(Tom Trenney, First-Plymouth Congregational Church, Lincoln, NE)
“Peter Richard Conte’s recital was nothing less than perfection. The audience said it all with two rousing standing
ovations! Bravo Peter Richard Conte!”
(Robert Bright, St. Anne’s Catholic Church, Washington, DC)
“We thought he was one of the best [organists] we have had in Shove Chapel, and we have had nothing but the best.
In addition, he was a great pleasure to spend time with and the faculty who met him enjoyed the time immensely.”
(Timothy Fuller, Dean, Colorado College, Colorado Springs)
“An entertaining and very enjoyable recital, masterfully played. Mr. Conte has rare technical gifts and melds them with
great musicianship and a winning personality. Our audience was captivated.”
(Arthur Johnson, Trinity Episcopal Church, Reno, NV)
About His Recordings
“This is a real delight. The combination of the magnificent orchestral colors of the Wanamaker Organ, the haunting,
lyrical sound of the flugelhorn, and the consummate artistry of the performers, make for a stunningly beautiful
recording…. Pull up a chair, turn down the lights, and bask in the glow of a sumptuous, satisfying program, elegantly
presented by two superb artists.”
(Robert Delcamp, American Record Guide, November 2016, on the Peter Conte and Andrew Ennis’ CD ‘My Heart at
Thy Sweet Voice’)
“Superb artistry in the lost art of organ transcription…To play that many lines with only ten fingers is technical wizardry,
but to do it with feeling and magic is indeed rare. The combination is exciting and captivating.”
(American Record Guide)
“This new Raven recital [CD] by another great concert organ virtuoso, Peter Richard Conte, is a wonderful
tribute….Conte certainly has the imagination, great manual and pedal technique, and creative approach to this
instrument [The Wanamaker organ] which makes the Bach Toccata in F major (one of Virgil’s most demanding recital
pieces) thrilling. The Reubke is stunning, to say the least; the overall sound of the instrument is nothing short of fabulous
and Conte’s performance has the subtle approach which again combines colorful registrations with [his] typical flawless
technique. Conte plays it with much panache and excitement. Highly recommended.”
(Dennis E. Ferrara, Amazon.com Top Customer Reviews, May 2016)
Midnight in the Grand Court (Gothic #49247)
My Heart at Thy Sweet Voice (Gothic #49294)
A Grand Celebration/The Philadelphia Orchestra live with the Wanamaker Organ (Gothic #49270)
Christmas in the Grand Tradition (Gothic #49264)