Christopher Noel Rawsthorne (24 December 1929 - 28 January 2019) was a British liturgical and concert organist and composer of music for his own instrument, as well as choral music.
He became Organist of Liverpool Cathedral in 1955, succeeding Harry Goss-Custard, and served in this capacity until 1980.
While there, he composed many original choral works, such as the Festive Eucharist (1978) which is still sung regularly by churches across the Anglican Diocese of Liverpool. Until 1993, Rawsthorne was Senior Lecturer in Music at St Katharine's College, Liverpool (now Liverpool Hope University).
Rawsthorne received an honorary doctorate in music from the University of Liverpool and his work with the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra included supervision of the refurbishment of the Rushworth and Dreaper organ in the Philharmonic Hall and he sustained substantial friendships, personal and professional, with successive Maestros of the Philharmonic. He mentored Ian Tracey (later a professor), who succeeded his position of Organist of Liverpool Cathedral in 1980.
Played on Hauptwerk sample set of St. Mary le Bow. Thumbnail of Liverpool Cathedral