Richard Purvis

Richard I. Purvis
Purvis at Grace Cathedral
Born	(1913-08-25)August 25, 1913 San Francisco, California
Died	December 25, 1994(1994-12-25) (aged 81) San Francisco, California
Other names	Don Irving
Known for	Grace Cathedral organist, composer

Richard (Irven) Purvis (August 25, 1913 – December 25, 1994) was an American organist, composer, conductor and teacher. He is especially remembered for his expressive recordings of the organ classics and his own lighter compositions for the instrument.

Richard Purvis was born in San Francisco on August 25, 1913. He began playing the organ publicly at the age of 14 in churches and in the Civic Auditorium in San Francisco. Purvis' teacher, Wallace Arthur Sabin, played the dedicatory concert in 1915. In addition to recitals and church services, Purvis played nightly recitals broadcast from the 7-rank style "E" Wurlitzer organ at the Chapel of the Chimes over local radio station KRE. His stage name was Don Irving and his theme song was 'I'll Take an Option on You'.

Leaving his native San Francisco to further his studies, he entered the Curtis Institute of Music in Philadelphia in January, 1936 under the Cyrus Curtis Organ Scholarship, which also paid for European summer study in 1936 and 1937. He was initially taught organ by Alexander McCurdy and conducting by Fritz Reiner. Further studies were with Josef Levine in New York, Dr. Charles M. Courboin in Baltimore, Dr. Edward Bairstow in England from whom he learned a great deal about the Anglican boy's choir, and Marcel Dupré in France.

In August, 1942 Purvis enlisted as a private in the United States Army. He rapidly advanced in the ranks and, after attending the army music school in 1943 he attained the rank of warrant officer and was assigned to the 28th Infantry Division Band as bandmaster. Purvis's band was given the honor of being the first band to march through Paris after its liberation.

Purvis was actually able to find time to compose while in the military. His famous setting of "Greensleeves" and his "Seven Choral Preludes" were composed in a foxhole under enemy fire.

Purvis was captured in the Battle of the Bulge and held as a prisoner of war at Stalag 13B in Hammelburg, Bavaria. He was freed by advancing American forces after six months. Purvis was treated poorly in captivity. The buildings in the prison were extremely cold. Food was scarce. When Purvis was released he was unable to even play a chord and he required some months of physical therapy at the Army Rehabilitation Center in Santa Barbara, California before he could resume his career.