Barry Jordan

Barry Jordan (17 December 1957 — 13 November 2024) was a South African church musician. He was the organist and cantor of the Magdeburg Cathedral in Germany for almost 30 years.

Barry Jordan
Jordan in 2008
Background information
Born	(1957-12-17)17 December 1957 Gqeberha, South Africa
Died	13 November 2024(2024-11-13) (aged 66)
Genres	church music
Occupation(s)	organist, composer
Website	https://www.barryjordan.de/

Biography

Jordan was born in Gqeberha, South Africa on 17 December 1957. He studied music at the University of Cape Town from 1976 to 1979. He was also organ scholar at the St. George’s Cathedral. He obtained his Master of Music in composition in 1985. He studied composition with Francis Burt from 1986 to 1988 and organ with Martin Haselböck. In 1988 he received his "Konzertexamen" in 1992 his church music diplomas A and 1994 his diplomas B. He worked at the St. Nikolai in Kiel, as the assistant of Hans Gebhard. Afterwards he was cantor-organist at the Osterkirche. In 1994 he was appointed cantor-organist of the Magdeburg Cathedral. Between 2003 and 2006 Jorsan was also organ teacher af the University of Music and Theatre Leipzig. In 2004 he was awarded the honorary title of Kirchenmusikdirektor. He retired as the cantor-organist of Magdeburg Cathedral in December 2023.

Jordan has performed regularly as a concert organist. Mainly in Germany but also in other countries. Recordings of his playing have appeared on labels including, Prospect, IFO, and Querstand. He was also active as a composer for organ and other ensembles.

Jordan died on 13 November 2024, at the age of 66 years old.